West Wireless Health Institute Names Donald Casey to Serve as its CEO

West Wireless Health Institute Names Donald Casey to Serve as its CEO
- Former Worldwide Chairman of Johnson and Johnson Comprehensive Care Group to Lead Institute's Mission to Accelerate Wireless Health Innovation
PR Newswire
SAN DIEGO, March 9, 2010



SAN DIEGO, March 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Wireless Health Institute (WWHI) today announced Donald Casey
has been named the Institute's first chief executive officer (CEO). He will
also serve on the Institute's board of directors. Casey, former worldwide
chairman of Johnson and Johnson's Comprehensive Care group, will assume the
role immediately.


    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100309/DC67350 )


    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090624/DC137665LOGO )


    WWHI, founded in March 2009 with a US$45 million gift from the Gary and
Mary West Foundation, is one of the world's first medical research
organizations dedicated to cutting the cost of health care by identifying,
creating, validating and commercializing the use of wireless technologies to
transform medicine. In addition to founding the Institute, Gary West is
chairman of the board. The nonprofit Institute is headquartered in San Diego,
California, the global hub for wireless life science research and
development.


    "When we launched our worldwide search for our first CEO last year, I
said we would be patient, yet relentless when it came to finding the right
person to lead this Institute, and in hiring Don Casey our approach has paid
off extremely well," said West. "Don knows health care inside and out, and
has a stellar track record in identifying and commercializing innovative
products. He is one of the most passionate people Mary and I have ever met.
We have no doubt he and his staff will accelerate wireless health innovation
into the marketplace enabling health care systems around the world to begin
realizing better patient outcomes at substantially lower costs."


    As the Institute's inaugural CEO, Casey will drive the development of a
world-class research organization focused on accelerating wireless health
innovations, technology incubation, advocacy and education. He will be
responsible for defining the Institute's global strategy and collaborative
efforts across medicine, engineering, technology and business.


    "The West Wireless Health Institute is focused on identifying and
creating innovative health care solutions to deliver superior outcomes at
lower cost," said Casey. "I am proud to be a part of this emerging industry
and to lead the Institute that will define a transformative model of health
and wellness for years to come. Our team is committed to doing whatever it
takes to accelerate wireless health technologies, which will save and improve
the quality of people's lives around the world."


    Casey will work closely with Dr. Eric J. Topol, the Institute's chief
medical officer and a member of the board, to identify opportunities for
clinical trials and other medical research activities.


    "I've known Don for many years and have greatly admired his many
accomplishments over the course of his career, and I regard him as a
veritable visionary for the future of health care," said Topol. "We have
chosen an exceptional leader who knows how to translate innovation into
reducing the cost of health care while improving patient outcomes. He will
generate strong partnerships, relevant research and a valuable knowledge
base, all with this primary goal in mind."


    In Casey's previous role as worldwide chairman for Johnson & Johnson's
Comprehensive Care group and member of the Company's Executive committee, he
oversaw its cardiovascular, diagnostic, diabetes and vision care franchises
around the world. He was responsible for defining a corporate-wide
comprehensive approach to chronic disease management, including leading the
development of patient-centric solutions and innovations within the medical
device segment for some of the world's most pervasive conditions, including
diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. His prior responsibilities included
management of direct-to-consumer product areas including diabetes and contact
lenses with a focus on direct-to-consumer health care products. Casey began
his career with Johnson & Johnson in 1985, advancing into executive positions
throughout the company's consumer, pharmaceutical and medical device
franchises. Casey holds an M.B.A. and bachelor's degree in business
administration from the University of Notre Dame.


    For more information on WWHI, please visit
http://www.westwirelesshealth.org.


    ABOUT THE WEST WIRELESS HEALTH INSTITUTE

    The West Wireless Health Institute (http://www.westwirelesshealth.org) is
one of the first medical research organizations in the world supporting the
exploration and application of wireless technologies to advance human health
and well-being. Based in San Diego, California, the nonprofit Institute is
fostering an unprecedented convergence of science, medicine, engineering and
technology. Its primary mission is to cut health care costs by improving
medical practice.