A Diagnostics & Imaging Week

Richard Levy, chairman and CEO of Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, California), reported that he would retire from that position on Feb. 17, 2006. The company’s board has selected Timothy Guertin, current president and chief operating officer since August, to succeed Levy. Guertin, a member of the board, will retain the title of president and Levy will continue as board chairman.

“Varian Medical Systems has more than doubled its net orders, revenues and earnings in the last six years through excellent execution of a sound growth strategy,” said Levy. “We have successfully developed and commercialized new technologies and products that have led to revolutionary advances in radiation oncology and X-ray imaging. We have extended our market leadership and added to our potential for growth in new markets. I have had the good fortune to direct the efforts of an accomplished management team that is well prepared to continue our growth under the leadership of Tim Guertin.”

Guertin previously served as president of the company’s oncology systems division, and he “defined, developed and deployed a broad range of products for intensity modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy, utilizing technology from all parts of our company,” Levy said.

Varian manufactures cancer therapy systems and is a supplier of X-ray tubes and flat-panel digital subsystems for imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications. The company employs about 3,500 at manufacturing sites in North America and Europe and in 56 sales and support offices around the world.