Michael Hill joined Medtronic in July 1992 as a Scientist in the Cardiac Rhythm Management division of Medtronic in Minneapolis, MN, working on arrhythmia prevention research. In 1998, Dr. Hill became a Senior Scientist and Technical Fellow in the Heart Failure division of Medtronic and led the research efforts on the novel therapy of cardiac resynchronization therapy. In 2001 he became a Bakken Fellow and Principle Clinical Program manager leading the effort on ambulatory hemodynamic monitoring and became Director of Clinical, Heart Failure New Therapies in 2003. In 2004, Dr. Hill became the Director of Clinical Research at the Bakken Research Center in the Netherlands. There he was responsible for Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management research, clinical outcome trials and health economic outcomes in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He returned to Minneapolis in 2007 as Medtronic’s Senior Director of Programs in New Therapies and Diagnostics, CRDM where he had program management responsibilities for novel therapy and diagnostic opportunities in chronic cardiac diseases. In 2012 he became Vice President of Research and Development of the Heart Failure Business Unit. In May 2016, Michael became the Vice President of Corporate Science, Technology, and Clinical Affairs, leading the largest technical/innovation group at Medtronic.
In 2010, Dr. Hill achieved a significant milestone obtaining his fiftieth patent in his 18 years with Medtronic; he now holds more than sixty. In connection with his Medtronic role, Dr. Hill also has authored several book chapters, manuscripts, and abstracts. He is a reviewer for several medical journals, and is often an invited lecturer at international cardiac-related conferences and university events. He was awarded a CRDM Star of Excellence award in 2011. In 2012, he was inducted as Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. In 2013, he was awarded the Distinguished Engineering Alumni award from Duke University. He was awarded the Medtronic Patent of Distinction Award in 2014.
Dr. Hill has been a member of the American Heart Association since 1992. He has been active in the Northland affiliate and Greater Minneapolis AHA chapter since 1998, serving on the Board of Directors and serving as President of the Board from 2003 to 2004. He was also a member of the Northland Affiliate Research Committee of the AHA (2001-2004) responsible for review of cardiovascular research grant and fellowship applications. He was awarded the AHA Research Achievement Award (Northland Affiliate) in 2002.
Believing knowledge is power, Dr. Hill supports the AHA mission of research and education as important cornerstones to improve patient access and care. Through the Bakken Museum, Dr. Hill supports an educational program that includes a Science Teacher Sabbatical and other training opportunities.
A native of Jackson, Tennessee, Dr. Hill received his BSE [Biomedical and Electrical Engineering] and BS [Mathematics] Degrees from Duke University, MS and PhD [Biomedical Engineering] Degrees from Case Western Reserve University, and MBA [Management] Degree from the University of St. Thomas.
Dr. Hill enjoys traveling, food and cultures, ice hockey, and restoring his historic home in downtown Minneapolis where he’s lived since 2002.