[8-K] QuidelOrtho Corp Reports Material Event
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
QuidelOrtho Corporation announced a planned leadership transition in its top legal role. Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary Michelle A. Hodges will retire from these positions effective March 23, 2026, with a transition and retirement agreement supporting an orderly handover of her duties.
For up to six months, Ms. Hodges will continue receiving her current base salary and benefits while transitioning responsibilities. She will then serve as special advisor to the Chief Executive Officer for up to twenty-four months, initially at her current base salary rate, which will be reduced by 50% for the remainder of the advisory term, while remaining eligible for employee benefits, annual bonus and equity grant opportunities, and continued vesting of existing equity awards.
The Board of Directors appointed Nathaniel “Nate” Sisitsky as the new Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, effective as of the same date. With more than 25 years of legal and governance experience at public life sciences and technology companies, including prior Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary roles, he will lead QuidelOrtho’s global legal, compliance and corporate governance functions.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On March 18, 2026, Michelle A. Hodges, the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of QuidelOrtho Corporation (the “Company”), notified the Company of her plans to retire from these roles, effective March 23, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), to be concurrent with the Company’s appointment of a successor Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. In connection with her retirement, the Company and Ms. Hodges are entering into a transition and retirement agreement to provide for the smooth and orderly transition of Ms. Hodges’ duties. During such transition period, of up to six months, the Company will pay Ms. Hodges her current base salary and other benefits. Thereafter, Ms. Hodges has agreed to serve as a special advisor to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for a period of up to twenty-four months (the “Special Advisor Term”). During the first twelve months of the Special Advisor Term, Ms. Hodges will be paid at her current base salary rate, which will be reduced by 50% for the remainder of the Special Advisor Term, and she will otherwise remain eligible for employee benefits during the Special Advisor Term, including annual bonus and equity grant opportunities. Ms. Hodges’ equity awards will continue to remain outstanding and vest under the existing terms and conditions set forth in the governing plan documents and applicable equity agreements through the end of the Special Advisor Term.
In accordance with the succession planning processes of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the Board has appointed Nathaniel “Nate” Sisitsky, as Chief Legal Officer, to succeed Ms. Hodges as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, effective as of the Effective Date.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
A copy of the press release issued in connection with the transition described above is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K”) as Exhibit 99.1.
The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
The following exhibit is furnished with this Form 8-K:
| Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit | |
| 99.1 | Press release issued by QuidelOrtho Corporation, dated March 24, 2026. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL Document. | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 24, 2026
| QUIDELORTHO CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Joseph M. Busky | |
| Name: | Joseph M. Busky | |
| Its: | Chief Financial Officer | |
Exhibit 99.1
Nathaniel Sisitsky Joins QuidelOrtho as Chief Legal Officer
March 24, 2026
SAN DIEGO, CA — QuidelOrtho Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) (the “Company” or “QuidelOrtho”), a global leader of in vitro diagnostics, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathaniel “Nate” Sisitsky as its new Chief Legal Officer, effective March 23, 2026. He will report to Brian Blaser, President and Chief Executive Officer, and will lead QuidelOrtho’s global legal, compliance and corporate governance functions.
Mr. Sisitsky brings more than 25 years of legal and governance experience advising public companies across life sciences and technology sectors. Most recently, he served as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at STAAR Surgical Company, where he oversaw global legal and compliance functions.
“Nate is a seasoned legal executive with deep experience navigating complex public company environments,” said Brian Blaser, President and Chief Executive Officer, QuidelOrtho. “He brings a thoughtful, business-oriented approach to legal leadership and a strong track record of guiding organizations through transformations, governance matters and global regulatory matters. We are pleased to welcome him to QuidelOrtho as we continue advancing our strategy and strengthening our foundation for long-term growth.”
Mr. Sisitsky succeeds Michelle Hodges, who is retiring after a distinguished career and years of service to QuidelOrtho. Ms. Hodges played an important role in strengthening the Company’s legal and governance capabilities, supporting strategic initiatives and guiding the organization through a period of significant transformation. Ms. Hodges will serve in an advisory role to facilitate a smooth transition.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sisitsky has provided legal leadership during periods of significant organizational change across the medtech sector. His roles as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at NuVasive, Inc. and CareFusion Corporation included guiding legal and compliance functions through major corporate transitions, ensuring continuity and strategic alignment across global operations.
“I’m excited to join QuidelOrtho and contribute to a company that plays such a vital role in global healthcare,” said Mr. Sisitsky. “Diagnostics are essential to informed medical decision-making, and QuidelOrtho has an important opportunity to continue advancing innovation that improves patient care worldwide. I look forward to working alongside Brian and the leadership team to support the Company’s mission and long-term growth.”
Mr. Sisitsky began his legal career at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. He later served in senior legal roles at American Tower Corporation before moving into leadership positions across the medical technology sector. He holds a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Emory University.
QuidelOrtho is dedicated to advancing diagnostics to power a healthier future. For more information, please visit quidelortho.com and follow QuidelOrtho on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
About QuidelOrtho Corporation
With expertise spanning clinical chemistry, immunoassay, immunohematology and molecular testing, QuidelOrtho Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) is a leading global provider of diagnostic solutions, dedicated to advancing fast, accurate and reliable results that help improve patient outcomes – from the point of care to hospital, lab to clinic. Building on a legacy of innovation, QuidelOrtho works with healthcare providers to advance diagnostics that connect insights with solutions, defining a clearer path for informed decisions and better care.
Investor Contact:
Juliet Cunningham
Vice President, Investor Relations
IR@QuidelOrtho.com
Media Contact:
D. Nikki Wheeler
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
media@QuidelOrtho.com
SOURCE QuidelOrtho Corporation
Filing Exhibits & Attachments
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