Cath Lab Digest

Login to Download
PDF version

Coloplast develops products and services that make life easier for people with very personal and private medical conditions. Working closely with the people who use their products, Coloplast creates solutions that are sensitive to their special needs. Kimberly Herman, President of Chronic Care provides and in-depth look inside this remarkable business that includes ostomy care, continence care, and wound and skin care. The following interview offers a glimpse as to what it takes for a healthcare company to operate globally and employ more than 7,000 people.

Q: Please describe your education, training, and work experiences that have prepared you for your current position as President of Coloplast’s US Chronic Care sector:
  A: I started my healthcare career as a financial planning analyst with Health Net, one of the largest HMOs in California. This was an excellent way to learn the fundamentals of the US healthcare system, from reimbursement to community-based rating systems to provider services and marketing. From there I joined Apria Healthcare and enjoyed a variety of leadership roles with this national provider of durable medical equipment, respiratory medications, and home infusion services. Later I moved to New York and was Chief Marketing Officer for Gentiva Health Services where I lead the company’s strategic planning, marketing, communications, and emerging businesses. Next I became Chief Operating Officer of Senior Home Care, a private-equity owned home healthcare organization. Just prior to joining Coloplast, I was a change management leader and consultant for a number of private-equity owned portfolio companies in multiple industries. The breadth and depth of these experiences has prepared me to lead the US Chronic Care business for Coloplast.

Q: What should readers know first and foremost about Coloplast?
  A: Coloplast is one of the most trusted names in intimate healthcare. In addition to wound and skin care, Coloplast is also the global leader in ostomy and continence care as well. Coloplast has a rich history of innovation and uniqueness. For example, Coloplast invented the first ostomy pouch as well as the first intermittent catheter. We pride ourselves on listening and responding to the needs of our customers, whether they are patients and family members, clinicians, or materials management experts. Coloplast is proud to partner with leading clinicians and healthcare organizations around the world.
Our skin and wound care products are exceptional in their ability to reduce risk and drive positive clinical outcomes. Since 2006, Coloplast has been offering a simple approach to driving clinical efficacy and cost containment with a 5 SKU formulary approach to preventing and managing skin conditions in the hospital setting. Now almost 6 years later, this program has evolved into a standalone program called Coloplast Links, a Skin Care Partnership Program designed to help prevent skin problems and associated complications while assisting in reducing supply chain costs across the entire healthcare community. Different from other competitive offerings, this model is supported by health economics and places focus on three core program elements that enables Coloplast Partnered Providers to (1) Deliver consistent delivery of care, (2) Reduce supply chain costs and (3) Drive compliance throughout the entire system or community.

Q: How were you first introduced to the arena of wound care and what are some things you appreciate most about this arena?