• Harold Wolcott was named president and a director of BSD Medical (Salt Lake City). Wolcott most recently was president/COO of Dimicron. He replaces Hyrum Mead, who is will retiring as president and director, posts he has held since 1999. BSD Medical makes systems used to deliver precision-focused microwave/RF energy to diseased sites in the body, including cancer.

• Carl O'Connell has been promoted from president to CEO of MedSurg Specialty Devices (MSD; Mandeville, Louisiana). MSD is a medical device distribution organization consisting of integrated divisions of Flanagan Instruments, Products for Surgery and Life Systems Healthcare, along with affiliated independent device distributors serving healthcare in the U.S.

• Michael Mack, MD, has been named president-elect of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (Chicago). Mack is a surgeon on the medical staff of The Heart Hospital Baylor and medical director of cardiovascular surgery for Baylor Health Care System (both Dallas).

• Michael Kussman, MD, the Under Secretary for Health for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA; Washington), reported his intention to retire from federal service by May 9, ending a 37-year government career. Kussman, who attained the rank of brigadier general while in the U.S. Army, has been with VA since 2000.

• Hank Struik was named a senior executive advisor of Water Street Healthcare Partners (Chicago). Struik was a former president of Cardinal Health. Water Street Healthcare Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on the health care industry.