Drew C. Forhan '81

Drew C. Forhan ‘81
Founder & CEO of ForTec Medical

2015 Hall of Fame Induction Video

In 1984, Drew was a marketing manager at American Hospital Supply/V Mueller. He saw general frustration with the model for getting innovative technologies into ophthalmic surgeries. Surgeons couldn’t access the latest generation laser technologies or had to use different devices in different locations where they practiced. Operating room managers were upset at the high cost of capital and short technology life cycles. Smaller community hospitals couldn’t access expensive technologies at all. Additionally, hospitals struggled to train staff and keep them available to operate lasers during scheduled cases. Drew’s pioneering idea overcame all of these frustrations. 

Founded in 1988, ForTec Medical was created on the belief that hospitals, surgical centers, medical offices and patients would benefit from mobile access to technology and highly trained technicians on an as-needed basis.

In 1984, Drew was a marketing manager at American Hospital Supply/V Mueller. He saw general frustration with the model for getting innovative technologies into ophthalmic surgeries. Surgeons couldn’t access the latest generation laser technologies or had to use different devices in different locations where they practiced. Operating room managers were upset at the high cost of capital and short technology life cycles. Smaller community hospitals couldn’t access expensive technologies at all. Additionally, hospitals struggled to train staff and keep them available to operate lasers during scheduled cases. Drew’s pioneering idea overcame all of these frustrations. His model transformed a high cost, pay up front, do-it-yourself acquisition model into a turnkey pay-as-you-go service model.

He worked at American Hospital Supply/V Mueller until 1985 when his business unit was sold to 3M. He left there to join Richard Allen Medical where he became Director of Sales and Marketing. After a two-year career with them, he moved back to northeast Ohio to start up ForTec Medical with his wife, Nancy.

ForTec Medical mobilizes surgical technologies—including the broadest array of lasers—to hospitals, surgery centers and physician offices on an as-needed basis. The company recently celebrated ForTec’s 25th anniversary and the opening of its 26th office. Drew currently focuses on growth strategy, business development and strategic acquisitions.

His honors include The Entrepreneurs Edge in 2006 and the Ernst &Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Northeast Ohio in 2013.

Drew earned a business degree from Bowling Green State University in 1981.  He serves on the executive boards for the Hudson Community Foundation, Old Trail School, Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland, and Western Reserve Academy  Dads Club.

The BGSU graduate enjoys golfing, flying and fishing and resides with his wife and their four children in Hudson, Ohio.