Former CEO and current Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board at Medtronic, Omar Ishrak, received the Outstanding Contribution to Medtech Award bestowed by the Irish Medtech Association.

The award recognizes an individual who made a significant contribution to the development, growth, and success of the medtech sector in Ireland. Over the past two decades, Ireland emerged as a medical technology powerhouse as more than 450 medtech companies operate in Ireland. The industry employs more than 40,000 people — and about 10% of those work for Medtronic.

The award is a particularly poignant recognition for Ishrak as the final chapter closes on his tenure with Medtronic. On Dec. 11, Ishrak will retire from Medtronic, and CEO Geoff Martha will assume the role of Chairman of the Board as part of the company’s planned leadership transition.

The award recognizes the impressive growth and impact Medtronic has had both inside and outside of Ireland during Ishrak’s tenure and highlights the significant contributions of Medtronic employees in Ireland.

This year, those contributions were more evident than ever. The company’s Galway, Ireland, site — at the heart of the global response to ventilator demand during the pandemic — rapidly increased ventilator production five-fold from 200 a week pre-pandemic to over 1,000 a week by June 2020.

“The Medtronic Mission provides an enduring sense of purpose — to use technology to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life,” Ishrak said, reflecting on the award. “During my tenure at Medtronic, it has been a privilege to work with the Irish medtech community. Ireland has been a long-standing strategic partner and location of choice where Medtronic has continued to invest in developing and manufacturing innovative technologies that improve the lives of millions of patients around the world.”

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