Slawek Kierner Takes the Helm as Chief Digital Officer at Olympus to Drive Innovation

Olympus Corporation Welcomes Slawek Kierner as Chief Digital Officer

On May 19, 2025, Olympus Corporation, a prominent player in the MedTech field, announced an exciting transformation within its leadership as it appointed Slawek Kierner as its Chief Digital Officer for Smart Connected Care (CDO-SCC). This newly established role emphasizes the company’s commitment to integrating digital innovation across its platforms, particularly in enhancing the Intelligent Endoscopy Ecosystem through the OLYSENSE platform.

A New Era for Olympus’ Digital Strategies

Slawek Kierner’s appointment is significant in the context of Olympus's strategy to pivot from a traditional hardware-oriented model to one that is more dynamic and software-driven. With advancements in medical-assistive robot technology, digital integration, and artificial intelligence, Kierner’s experience will be pivotal in forging new pathways for Olympus’s medical devices. Reporting to Chief Technology Officer Syed Naveed, Kierner will lead initiatives designed to offer healthcare professionals cutting-edge solutions that enhance both patient care and operational efficiencies.

The OLYSENSE platform, pivotal to this strategic shift, is envisioned as a cloud-based digital endoscopy suite that aims to provide seamless connectivity between legacy endoscope devices, robotics, and various digital solutions. This shift signifies a vital step toward realizing Olympus' vision of developing solutions that are more responsive and constantly evolving, thereby aiming to provide 'always-on' innovation for healthcare providers.

Slawek Kierner: Digital Pioneer

Kierner brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience amassed over 29 years in high-stakes technology roles, where he has led significant initiatives in applied AI and digital products. Prior to joining Olympus, Kierner served as Senior Vice President of Digital Experiences and Machine Learning Platforms at Intuitive Inc. His substantial contributions included launching an AI Suite and enhancing the connectivity of over 10,000 surgical robots worldwide.

Before his tenure at Intuitive, he held the position of Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Humana, where he adeptly transitioned the company to a cloud-based architecture and built a robust data platform centered around AI capabilities. Moreover, Kierner's experience at Microsoft, where he was a founding team member of the Power BI product, demonstrates his capacity to lead initiatives that bridge technology and user experience effectively.

Vision for the Future

Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Kierner stated, “It’s an honor to be appointed Chief Digital Officer – Smart Connected Care at Olympus. I am deeply passionate about the potential of digital platforms, AI, and robotics to transform healthcare.” He highlighted that digital transformation can significantly enhance real-time clinical decision support, predictive maintenance, and personalized education for surgical professionals, aiming to improve overall patient outcomes.

Kierner’s academic credentials include a PhD in Clinical AI Architectures and multiple Master of Science degrees, underscoring his solid foundation in the intersection of technology and healthcare. He continues to make his residence in the vibrant city of Boston, Massachusetts, which is a hub for innovation and technology.

Commitments and Goals Moving Forward

Syed Naveed commented on the importance of this digital transformation, stating, “Actively driving the digital transformation is a cornerstone of our commitment to elevating the standard of care.” The objective is clear: through combined technological innovations, Olympus aims to deliver exceptional healthcare solutions that undoubtedly enhance patient experiences and outcomes.

As Olympus embarks on this new chapter under Kierner’s leadership, the future promises enriched technological capabilities, broadening the horizon of possibilities for medical professionals and their patients worldwide. This strategic appointment is a testament to Olympus' dedication to pioneering advancements in medical technology for a healthier, safer society.

For those interested in the ongoing revolution in medical technology and Olympus Corporation's role in it, the company encourages following its developments on its official website Olympus Global, and updates on social media platforms.

With a bright future ahead, Kierner’s expertise will undoubtedly steer Olympus to new heights, reaffirming its mission of making lives healthier, safer, and more fulfilling.