#United States #Richmond #Healthcare Marketing #Owens & Minor #Carrie Childress

Owens & Minor Appoints First Chief Marketing Officer

Owens & Minor, a key player in the global healthcare solutions landscape, has recently made headlines by appointing Carrie Childress as its first-ever Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), a move that marks a significant evolution in the company’s strategic leadership. Effective immediately, Childress will spearhead initiatives aimed at enhancing the company’s brand and product offerings, as she assumes this newly established role.

Carrie Childress: A Seasoned Marketing Leader

With nearly two decades of experience in healthcare marketing, Carrie Childress brings a wealth of expertise in strategizing and executing marketing initiatives across U.S. and global markets. Prior to her new role at Owens & Minor, Childress served as the vice president of Americas marketing at Cordis, where her innovative marketing strategies led to remarkable business growth.

Her career has been marked by positions at notable healthcare companies including Smith & Nephew, ConMed, and AcuityMD. At these organizations, she successfully cultivated high-performing teams and directed commercialization strategies that helped differentiate these companies in a competitive market. Childress emphasized the unique blend of legacy and innovation that Owens & Minor offers, stating, "Owens & Minor is one of the rare organizations that combines legacy, leadership and customer loyalty with a genuine passion for impact."

The CEO’s Vision for the Future

Jim Marshall, the CEO of Owens & Minor, expressed his enthusiasm about Childress's appointment, highlighting her strategic vision and extensive expertise in portfolio commercialization. "Our name is one of the most recognized in healthcare, and our continued success depends on building on what makes Owens & Minor great while evolving to better serve our customers," said Marshall. Childress’s insight is expected to actively contribute to how the organization evolves over time to meet its clients’ needs.

Owens & Minor’s transition into this new chapter comes after the company’s recent integration into the Platinum Equity portfolio as of December 31, 2025. Despite these changes, the company continues to operate independently under its established name, maintaining its commitment to excellence and service that has been a hallmark of its history spanning more than 140 years.

Building on a Legacy of Excellence

Owens & Minor is a leading provider of essential products, services, and technology solutions that support care delivery in hospitals, health systems, and research centers around the world. The introduction of a dedicated CMO marks a critical milestone as the company seeks to enhance its market presence and strengthen its brand in an evolving healthcare landscape. Childress’s role will not only involve enhancing marketing strategies but also focusing on how the brand can better resonate with its existing customer base while attracting new partnerships.

In an age where healthcare continues to face a myriad of evolving challenges and opportunities, Owens & Minor’s leadership change aims to symbolize a proactive step towards embracing innovation while honoring its heritage. With Carrie Childress at the helm of marketing, the company looks forward to a future where it redefines its influence in the healthcare sector, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of providing care solutions that genuinely make a difference in the lives of patients and healthcare professionals alike.

As Owens & Minor embarks on this exciting journey, there is a palpable sense of optimism about the mobilization of their branding objectives towards improved customer and community engagement. Indeed, the future appears bright for Owens & Minor under Childress's pioneering leadership.