Medtronic 2009 Annual Report Download - page 9

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A self-described over-enthusiast of athletic activity ranging
from rugby to running, Gunther was diagnosed in 2004 with atrial
fibrillation. After having managed his condition with medication
for 3 years, Gunther sought a more permanent and effective
solution. In 2007, he underwent our CryoCath Arctic Front
cryoablation procedure.* “I had my surgery on the 18th, was home
by the 19th and back to work by the 22nd,” Gunther tells me, still
slightly amazed. “I shall never forget the feeling I had when I
awoke to see my pulse steadily coming down, coupled with an
excellent heart rhythm. It was like winning the World Cup!”
This is truly our passion: restoring people like Gunther to better
health so they can continue to pursue their own passions, more
quickly and with better results and durability.
Uniquely Positioned to Address the Global Burden of
Chronic Disease
Chronic diseases are now the major cause of death and disability
worldwide. The World Health Organization has confirmed that
noncommunicable conditions, including cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes, obesity, cancer and respiratory diseases, now account
for 60 percent of deaths worldwide and 46 percent of the total
global burden of disease.
This past year, I participated in the World Economic Forum in
Davos, Switzerland, where I met with numerous leaders from
government, non-governmental organizations and private
industry to discuss the global pandemic of chronic disease. These
discussions, many of which centered on the critical role that
technology and innovation can play in creating solutions,
both reinforced and emboldened my strong conviction that
Medtronic is uniquely positioned to address the global burden
of chronic disease.
Our diversified portfolio of therapies and deep experience
across a broad spectrum of the most prevalent chronic diseases
—coupled with a global footprint that today includes 38,000 of
the industry’s most talented employees spread across 120
countries—give us the scale and perspective to contribute to the
fight against global chronic disease in a way that few companies
are able. By providing more patients across the globe with access
to our life-saving and life-enhancing therapies, we are making an
immediate and sustained impact.
On the following pages, you can read about a few of the many
ways we’re addressing the key challenges of chronic disease,
whether by helping to monitor and intervene early, speed
recovery, or improve healthcare economics.
Our Promise Has Never Been Greater—Our Mission Never
More Relevant
As we look toward 2010 and beyond, I’m struck by the monumental
and exciting inflection point upon which our company sits. Our
focus has never been so sharp, our people so well aligned and
our pipeline so rich with innovation.
We are poised to enter an unprecedented global era in which
the health of entire nations, peoples and economies are
dependent upon real and durable solutions to their long-term
healthcare needs. Never before has the worldwide need for our
therapies been so great and the urgency of our Mission so
apparent. As countries both developed and developing grapple
to find solutions to the exponentially growing burden of chronic
disease, Medtronic will continue to provide the leadership and
vision demanded by these challenging times.
These unprecedented times also provide us with unprecedented
opportunity to bring our therapies to more markets, to more
people and, in turn, continue to deliver sustainable growth and
market-leading performance. I have never been so excited about
our company’s ability to deliver.
Sincerely,
William A. Hawkins
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Enjoying the Good Life
Louis Loera (also pictured on the cover)
should have been enjoying retirement in
the California sunshine. But he couldn’t
even walk a block without tiring due
to heart failure. After receiving his
Medtronic cardiac resynchronization
therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D), Louis
quickly regained his strength. Now he’s
back to walking three miles a day, hosting
barbecues and traveling.
* Not cleared/approved for marketing in the United States.
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