SurModics names Ward chairman

SurModics Corp. of Eden Prairie has chosen veteran Minnesota health care executive Scott R. Ward to be its chairman of the board.

Ward, a SurModics board member since 2010, will succeed retiring chairman Robert Buhrmaster at the company's annual meeting in February.

SurModics is a provider of surface modification and in vitro diagnostic technologies to health care industries.

Ward, 53, has more than 30 years' experience in the health care industry. He was senior vice president and president of Medtronic's cardiovascular business. Before that, he served as senior vice president and president of Medtronic's neurological and diabetes businesses.

Ward is a managing director at SightLine Partners.