Inspire Medical Systems Inc has appointed Charisse Y. Sparks, MD, as chief medical officer. Sparks will transition to the role from Inspire’s board of directors where served as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
As chief medical officer, Sparks will serve full-time on Inspire’s executive leadership team and lead the company’s medical and clinical affairs functions. Sparks will report to Tim Herbert, president and CEO.
“We are excited to add Dr Sparks, a board-certified physician with extensive business and leadership experience, to our executive team,” says Herbert in a release. “Inspire has long partnered with leading ear, nose, and throat surgeons and sleep physicians as part of our medical advisory boards. In her role as our chief medical officer, Dr Sparks will continue to amplify these important collaborations, further enhancing our focus on delivering high-quality patient outcomes.”
Sparks received her doctor of medicine degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed her residency in orthopedics at the University of Arkansas for medical sciences and fellowship training in orthopedic trauma at Harvard Medical School. She is board-certified in orthopedics specializing in orthopedic trauma. She practiced as an orthopedic trauma surgeon for over 10 years becoming a leader in building and implementing American College of Surgeons trauma centers, specializing in delivered care and processes.
Sparks transitioned formally into the industry by joining DePuy Synthes Inc, the orthopedic company of Johnson & Johnson, bringing her expertise in medical affairs and her business acumen to the development and evaluation of new and advanced technologies. Subsequently, Sparks served as chief medical officer of AppliedVR Inc, a privately held company focused on virtual reality-based treatments that address pain and other conditions.
“Having served on the board of Inspire, I have developed a deep understanding of the Inspire technology and the significant opportunity we have to impact the sleep market in the future. It is a tremendous opportunity to contribute as a full-time member of an excellent leadership team,” says Sparks in a release. “I look forward to assisting all physicians who are in service to OSA patients deliver outstanding clinical results and contribute to Inspire’s mission of serving the many patients with untreated OSA.”
Photo caption: Charisse Sparks
Photo credit: Inspire Medical Systems
