Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD
Dr. Marcus Schabacker became president and chief executive officer of ECRI in January 2018. Dr. Schabacker is a board-certified anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist with more than 35 years of healthcare experience in complex global environments, and more than 20 years of senior leadership responsibilities serving the medical device and pharmaceutical industries across the healthcare value chain.
After his medical and academic training at the Medical University of Lubeck, Germany, Dr. Schabacker served as senior medical officer and head of the intensive care and anesthesia department at the Mafikeng General Hospital, North-West Province, South Africa. His work there was part of a humanitarian aid program to support the African National Congress government under Nelson Mandela in the restructuring and buildup of a rural healthcare system in post-apartheid South Africa.
Upon his return from Africa, Dr. Schabacker joined the medical device industry and held roles of increasing responsibility in medical affairs, preclinical and clinical development, regulatory affairs, quality, research and development, and patient safety. His experience includes designing, transforming, and leading organizations of up to 4,000 employees across five continents to provide safe and effective products to patients and healthcare providers worldwide.
In his last corporate role prior to joining ECRI, Dr. Schabacker served as corporate vice president and chief scientific officer at Baxter. During his clinical years, and his time as an industry thought leader, Dr. Schabacker was focused on patient safety and enhancing patient care.
Dr. Schabacker is a national and international thought leader on patient safety, medical technology, and health equity issues. A sought-after independent expert by health and business reporters, he is often quoted in major news outlets, including USA Today, NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and Modern Healthcare. His broadcast experience includes live and recorded interviews on CNN, CNN International, and CBS-Chicago, plus network-affiliated radio shows. He has presented at national and international conferences.
Dr. Schabacker achieved his board certification in anesthesia and intensive care, as well as a doctorate in medicine from the Medical University, Lubeck, Germany. He also received certifications in emergency medicine and disaster medicine. He is an affiliate assistant professor at The Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Schabacker serves as a member of the Life Sciences Advisory Board of Philadelphia. In 2019, Dr. Schabacker was elected into the Fellowship of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He has been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Healthcare Leader in 2021.