Visura Technologies Inc., an Oakdale-based medical devices company, has appointed Christine Horton to serve as its president and CEO.
Horton takes over for Morgan Evans, who left the company in January.
Horton will lead Visura’s efforts to commercialize the company’s TEECAD System, which allows physicians to use Visura’s disposable camera to connect with transesophageal echocardiogram probes to provide physicians with real-time imaging to increase efficiency and safety.
A transesophageal echocardiogram is a procedure used by physicians that relies on inserting a probe into a patients esophagus to provide a clear image of the heart. The TEE probe can be used to detect signs of various illnesses and conditions including congenital heart disease, heart failure and cardiac tumors.
Currently, physicians place TEE probes blindly, which can result in unintended harm to the patient, Visura says.
Horton most recently served as vice president of global marketing for Plymouth-based Nonin Medical Inc.. She's had a decades-long career as an executive in medical companies. Most notably, she served as CEO and director of the board of directors for Minnetonka-based CoreSpine Technologies, according to her LinkedIn bio.
“This is a pivotal time for Visura as the company prepares to deliver the TEECAD system to the U.S. market,” stated Kathy Tune, chairperson of Visura Technologies. “Christine brings extensive med-tech commercialization expertise to the organization. Her success as a leader across key strategic commercial areas, along with her long-standing professional relationships, make her an asset to the growth of Visura’s business and we are fortunate to have her on the team.”
Horton holds an undergraduate degree from Buena Vista University and a MBA from the University of St. Thomas.
"Visura’s TEECAD System has the potential to rapidly implement a major change to how physicians perform TEE procedures, with minimal cost and training," Horton said in a statement. "That's important and it's what drew me to Visura - I love the idea of making a difference for physicians and patients without stressing out the healthcare system."
