PC Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Career Path Highlights: Prior to 1997, Palmisano held various executive positions, including as president of the Eyewear Division, at Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, a global eye care company. From April 1997 to January 2001 he served as president, chief executive officer, and a director of Summit Autonomous, a global medical products company that was the first company approved by the FDA to do laser vision correction (Lasik). The company was acquired by Alcon, Inc., in 2000.

From April 2001 to April 2003, he served as president, chief executive officer, and a director of MacroChem Corporation, a development stage pharmaceutical corporation. 

Palmisano later joined IntraLase Corp., which designs, develops, and manufactures laser products for vision correction, and served as president and chief executive officer from April 2003 to April 2007. During his tenure, he led the successful acquisition of IntraLase by Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., in 2007.    

A venture partner in SV Life Sciences Advisers, LLC, Palmisano was appointed president, chief executive officer, and a director of ev3 Inc., a global endovascular device company, in April 2008. ev3 works to improve the lives of patients with vascular disease through the development of innovative endovascular therapies. Its products are used to treat a wide range of peripheral vascular and neurovascular diseases and disorders.

Palmisano is a member of the Boards of Directors of Osteotech, Inc., a publicly held company, and LenSx Lasers, Inc. and Bausch & Lomb, both privately held companies.

Family: Wife, Jane; sons Christopher '89, Eric, and Matthew, a medical corps captain stationed in Iraq.

Staying Involved with Providence College: Always supportive of the College's fundraising and alumni relations activities, Palmisano was named a member of the College's Board of Trustees effective July 1, 2009. 

"Transforming" quotes: "Father Perz [Rev. Joseph Perz, O.P. '51], assistant professor of philosophy, while teaching logic, said, 'The proper use of syllogisms [deductive formal arguments consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion] will be of value your whole life.' I didn't believe him then, but I do now."