Edwards Lifesciences today announced chairman and CEO Michael A. Mussallem—who recently turned 70—informed the board of his decision to retire as CEO in connection with the firm’s annual meeting of stockholders on May 11, 2023.
 
Mussallem will stand for election as non-executive chairman of Edwards’ board at the meeting. He will be succeeded by Bernard Zovighian, who is currently corporate VP and GM of Edwards’ Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies (TMTT) business.
 
Zovighian will serve as president of Edwards effective Jan 1 until he becomes CEO in May.
 
“It has been a special honor and privilege to lead our team at Edwards Lifesciences for more than 20 years in their immense contributions to helping and advancing care for millions of patients around the world. I am particularly proud of the ‘patients-first’ culture that is embodied by our employees and the commitment to innovation and excellence that our global teams demonstrate. Our success to date is a testament to our talented executive leadership and passionate global team, and we are well positioned for an even brighter future,” Mussallem told the press.
 
Edwards as also named additional members of its executive leadership team to new roles, effective Jan 1. Larry Wood, corporate VP and GM of the company’s Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) business, will become corporate VP and group president, TAVR and Surgical Structural Heart. Daveen Chopra, who has been Edwards’ corporate VP and GM of Surgical Structural Heart, will lead TMTT.
 
Zovighian joined Edwards in 2015 as VP and GM of Surgical Structural Heart. He became corporate VP of the surgical business and member of the executive leadership team in 2016. He then started the role of corporate VP and GM for TMTT in 2018. Zovighian has also served nearly 20 years at Johnson & Johnson in regional leadership roles outside of the U.S. and worldwide president of one of the company’s divisions.
 
“I am excited to have the opportunity to partner with our people around the world to build upon Edwards’ patient-focused culture and innovation strategy. Edwards has contributed over the last six decades to the advancement of treatments for structural heart disease and critical care patients, and our robust pipeline of technologies will enable us to help even more patients in the future. I look forward to working closely with the Board, Mike and Edwards’ Executive Leadership Team on a smooth transition and further advancing the great work of our global teams,” said Zovighian.
 
“Our Board is confident in the Edwards Executive Leadership Team, which has unmatched experience and a commitment to patient-focused medical innovations globally. We have worked cohesively for many years, collaborating on Edwards’ strategy, and I am confident that under Bernard’s experienced and passionate leadership, the company will continue its legacy of patient impact, innovation and growth,” said Mussallem.