Management Team
Alexander S. Yevzlin, MD, CEO, CMO, Co-Founder and Director
Alexander S. Yevzlin, MD, CEO, CMO, Co-Founder and Director
Alexander S. Yevzlin, MD, CEO, CMO, Co-Founder and Director
Meet Dr. Yevzlin, a renowned interventional nephrologist and the brilliant mind behind Phraxis and the InterGraft device. With an exceptional academic background from Dartmouth College, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University, he has become a leading figure in the medical field.
As an exceptional rese
Meet Dr. Yevzlin, a renowned interventional nephrologist and the brilliant mind behind Phraxis and the InterGraft device. With an exceptional academic background from Dartmouth College, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University, he has become a leading figure in the medical field.
As an exceptional researcher, Dr. Yevzlin has published over 150 manuscripts, abstracts, and invited lectures, revolutionizing nephrology and interventional procedures. His passion for improving patient outcomes led him to found Phraxis and develop the groundbreaking InterGraft device, making a significant impact on patient treatment and care. As the driving force behind these innovative companies, Dr. Yevzlin continues to transform healthcare, combining his expertise as a nephrologist and entrepreneur to create lasting change in the lives of patients worldwide.
John Zentgraf, COO, Co-Founder and Director
Alexander S. Yevzlin, MD, CEO, CMO, Co-Founder and Director
Alexander S. Yevzlin, MD, CEO, CMO, Co-Founder and Director
Meet John Zentgraf, a Director and the COO of Phraxis, Inc. Since joining the management team of Phraxis, John has led the PMA submission and the transfer of the InterGraft to the new Contract Manufacturing Organization Medical Murray Inc. Mr. Zentgraf has 40+ years medical device industry experience including 21 years with Guidant where
Meet John Zentgraf, a Director and the COO of Phraxis, Inc. Since joining the management team of Phraxis, John has led the PMA submission and the transfer of the InterGraft to the new Contract Manufacturing Organization Medical Murray Inc. Mr. Zentgraf has 40+ years medical device industry experience including 21 years with Guidant where he led a team of 1,300 engineers and scientists through all phases of implantable product development, basic and applied research, and advanced technology development. Mr. Zentgraf is an experienced entrepreneur, co-founding Phraxis Inc, Abilitech Medical, NitriCap Medical Inc. and Neochord Inc, and leading products through regulatory approval in the United States and Europe.
Mr. Zentgraf has extensive experience in analyzing emerging clinical technology, defining product requirements, building FDA-compliant quality systems, and contract manufacturing design transfer process.
Geoffrey Beecher, BSc, MBA, CCO
Alexander S. Yevzlin, MD, CEO, CMO, Co-Founder and Director
Geoffrey Beecher, BSc, MBA, CCO
Meet Geoff Beecher, the Chief Commercial Officer at Phraxis Inc, a groundbreaking medical device company reshaping hemodialysis care.
Geoff boasts a remarkable career with decades of expertise in Laparoscopy, GYN/Breast Oncology, Sports Medicine, and Vascular Access for hemodialysis. Notably, his unwavering focus on innovation and start-up
Meet Geoff Beecher, the Chief Commercial Officer at Phraxis Inc, a groundbreaking medical device company reshaping hemodialysis care.
Geoff boasts a remarkable career with decades of expertise in Laparoscopy, GYN/Breast Oncology, Sports Medicine, and Vascular Access for hemodialysis. Notably, his unwavering focus on innovation and start-up companies has led to an impressive tally of 5 successful acquisitions. Among them are NovaCept to Cytyc/HOLOGIC, Proxima Therapeutics to Cytyc/HOLOGIC, Tenex Health to Treace Medical, Focal Therapeutics to HOLOGIC, and Avenu Medical to Medtronic. His trailblazing leadership drives Phraxis towards pioneering technologies, envisioning a future of precision and possibility in medical interventions. Geoff's passion for women's health, sports medicine, and hemodialysis fuels his commitment to elevating the standard of care on a global scale. Embodying dedication, innovation, and compassion, Geoff is at the forefront of Phraxis' mission to revolutionize hemodialysis for better healthcare worldwide.
Leota Pearson, CFO
Cindy Setum, PhD, VP Clinical Affairs
Geoffrey Beecher, BSc, MBA, CCO
Meet Leota Pearson, Phraxis' CFO with more than 35 years of experience working with life science companies that span all stages of growth. Leota has worked as a CFO in public and private medical device companies including Orthomet, Endocardial Solutions and Celleration where she has a proven track record of strong leadership working in a
Meet Leota Pearson, Phraxis' CFO with more than 35 years of experience working with life science companies that span all stages of growth. Leota has worked as a CFO in public and private medical device companies including Orthomet, Endocardial Solutions and Celleration where she has a proven track record of strong leadership working in a fast-paced, rapidly-changing environment. Leota has had direct report responsibility for accounting, HR and IT. In 2010, she started a consulting practice focused on companies in the life science area. Leota is a member of the Minnesota CPA Society having served on their board of directors and Financial Executive International where she served on the national board and as the president of its Twin Cities chapter. She was named Consulting CFO of the year in 2017 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Leota holds an undergraduate degree from The University of North Dakota and a MBA from the University of Minnesota.
Cindy Setum, PhD, VP Clinical Affairs
Cindy Setum, PhD, VP Clinical Affairs
Cindy Setum, PhD, VP Clinical Affairs
Dr. Setum brings over 30 years of strategic and hands-on leadership in product development, clinical marketing, clinical/regulatory affairs, and business management for multiple early- and mid-stage medical device companies. She specializes in bringing innovative medical devices from concept to commercialization, designing efficient clini
Dr. Setum brings over 30 years of strategic and hands-on leadership in product development, clinical marketing, clinical/regulatory affairs, and business management for multiple early- and mid-stage medical device companies. She specializes in bringing innovative medical devices from concept to commercialization, designing efficient clinical and regulatory pathways. Her research work has included multiple peer-reviewed medical/scientific publications and she holds 14 patents. Before joining Phraxis, Dr. Setum held senior management positions at Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc. (acquired by ZOLL), Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (acquired by Medtronic), and Possis Medical, Inc. (acquired by Bayer/Medrad). She received her Ph.D. in Cell Biology/Anatomy in 1990 from the University of Minnesota.
Board of Directors
John Seaberg
Alex Yevzlin, MD
Alex Yevzlin, MD
Chairman and Co-Founder
Alex Yevzlin, MD
Alex Yevzlin, MD
Alex Yevzlin, MD
Co-Founder and Director
John Zentgraf
Alex Yevzlin, MD
John Zentgraf
Co-Founder and Director
John Rappe
Terry Litchfield
John Zentgraf
Terry Litchfield
Terry Litchfield
Terry Litchfield
MPA, ESRD Patient Advocate
Key Advisors
John Ross, MD
Terry Litchfield MPA, ESRD Patient Advocate
Terry Litchfield MPA, ESRD Patient Advocate
Meet Dr. John Ross, MD, a renowned Surgeon specializing in Dialysis Access. With an illustrious career, he holds the title of the world's most prominent dialysis access surgeon, having successfully performed thousands of dialysis access surgeries. Dr. Ross is not only a skilled practitioner but also a visionary in his field, as he founde
Meet Dr. John Ross, MD, a renowned Surgeon specializing in Dialysis Access. With an illustrious career, he holds the title of the world's most prominent dialysis access surgeon, having successfully performed thousands of dialysis access surgeries. Dr. Ross is not only a skilled practitioner but also a visionary in his field, as he founded and currently serves as the Medical Director of the esteemed Dialysis Access Institute. He has made significant contributions to the medical community, being one of the founding members of the Vascular Access Society of the Americas. Dr. Ross's dedication to improving patients' lives through advanced dialysis access procedures and his commitment to advancing medical knowledge make him a true leader in the field of surgery and dialysis care.
Terry Litchfield MPA, ESRD Patient Advocate
Terry Litchfield MPA, ESRD Patient Advocate
Terry Litchfield MPA, ESRD Patient Advocate
Terry has spent more than 30 years in the health care field, with an emphasis on dialysis related care. She has a unique insight into the changes of the current healthcare environment related endovascular disease treatments, particularly those involving renal patients. Twenty-four years ago Terry Foust Litchfield was one of the founders o
Terry has spent more than 30 years in the health care field, with an emphasis on dialysis related care. She has a unique insight into the changes of the current healthcare environment related endovascular disease treatments, particularly those involving renal patients. Twenty-four years ago Terry Foust Litchfield was one of the founders of Lifeline Vascular Access and was an early leader in dialysis access care outside of hospitals. Best known for her technology assessment and outcomes research for vascular access and chronic kidney disease patients, she is the author of multiple publications in the field. Her expertise is well known with frequent national presentations related to dialysis vascular access, new technology reimbursement and regulatory pathways, patient engagement and satisfaction with care. A dedicated patient advocate; her husband Bill prior to his death a few years ago celebrated 46 years of renal replacement therapy. She has served on the KHI Patient and Family Partnership Council and AAKP to name a few of her patient advocacy roles. She is active in the Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition and American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology where she was honored with the Lifeline Achievement Award in 2018. Terry serves as a consultant to several startup med tech groups in the vascular field. As the care partner during home dialysis or supportive of in center care, she well knows the impact of kidney disease on a family. Her background in Hospital Administration at some of the best-known tertiary institutions in the US, give her a unique background in health services and program planning. Terry has also been actively in regulatory activities at CMS and FDA related to new devices and innovative programs at CMMI.