Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA, the listed global MedTech company, has announced the appointment of Dr. Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess to its Management Board, effective June 22, 2026. She succeeds Stefan Heidenreich, whose regular five-year term on the Board has concluded. This leadership change comes as Ottobock continues to strengthen its position in the prosthetics, neuro-orthotics, and exoskeletons market, driving digitalization and innovation in the industry.
Dr. Mazur-Hofsaess brings extensive international experience in medical technology and healthcare. From 2018 to 2025, she served on the Management Board of Fresenius Medical Care and as CEO of its MedTech segment Care Enablement. Prior to that, she was responsible for the EMEA region at Zimmer Biomet, a US-based specialist in joint replacement solutions. Earlier in her career, she held positions at Abbott Diagnostics and Roche Polska. She is also currently an independent non-executive Director at Smith & Nephew. A physician by training, Dr. Mazur-Hofsaess earned her doctorate at the Medical University of Gdansk and completed management studies at the Warsaw School of Economics and the University of Minnesota. She began her career at the University Clinical Centre in Gdansk.
“With Dr. Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess, we are gaining a proven expert in international medical technology and healthcare. Her experience in global companies and her medical background will be a valuable addition to our Board,” said Professor Hans Georg Nader, Chairman of the Management Board of Ottobock. Her appointment is expected to enhance Ottobock's strategic direction, particularly in expanding its patient care network and advancing its R&D efforts, which include over 2,600 patents and patent applications.
Stefan Heidenreich steps down after a five-year term during which he served as Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and played a key role in Ottobock's strategic development, including its transition to a listed company. Ottobock expressed its gratitude for his contributions. His departure marks the end of an era, but the company is poised to benefit from Dr. Mazur-Hofsaess's expertise in navigating the evolving MedTech landscape.
This leadership change is significant for Ottobock's stakeholders, including employees, investors, and the broader medical technology industry. With a strong focus on human bionics and digitalization, Ottobock operates in 45 countries with nearly 9,300 employees and around 420 patient care centers worldwide. The appointment signals a commitment to leveraging deep medical and managerial expertise to drive growth and innovation. For business leaders and technology observers, this move underscores the importance of combining medical knowledge with global business acumen in the rapidly advancing field of medical technology.
For more information, see the original release on NewMediaWire.
