Celebrating Patients, Our Mission, Purpose and Progress
Zimmer Biomet's annual holiday event, Tidings of Joy, is a celebration of the people at the heart of our mission
Patients aren’t just a part of Zimmer Biomet’s story—they are the reason for everything we do. Every innovation, every milestone and every breakthrough is driven by a simple but powerful belief: behind every product or solution is a person whose life can be changed for the better.
This belief comes to life every year at Tidings of Joy, our annual holiday event that brings together patients, healthcare providers and team members from across the globe. Throughout the event, our team members hear the stories of real Zimmer Biomet patients who offer the most powerful insight of them all: what it feels like to regain mobility, independence and hope, thanks, in part, to our products. Whether joining virtually or in-person, the experience is the same: a moment to pause, reflect and reconnect the purpose that unites us.
Putting Patients First - Michael Getzler's Story
The most inspiring moments of Tidings of Joy come from the patients who share their stories, like Zimmer Biomet Sales Team Lead Michael Getzler, who has experienced our mission both as a team member and a patient. Sports have always been central to Michael’s life, from soccer and rugby to his position as place kicker at the University of Arizona. But at 15, Michael was diagnosed with Osteochondritis Dissecans, a joint disorder that causes pain, weakness and instability after repeated stress or trauma.1 Over time, Michael developed arthritis, making even the most basic movement painful. Walking became difficult, running was impossible and even getting out of bed hurt — impacting both his daily life and the time he could spend with his kids.
Drawn to Zimmer Biomet’s patient-centric culture, Michael joined Zimmer Biomet in 2017. Despite working for a global medical technology leader, he wasn’t yet ready for joint replacement surgery until 2025 when a well-timed product launch and meaningful encounter with a surgeon helped him take the next step. Shortly after the launch of the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee, Michael met Dr. Adolf Lombardi at a company meeting; this encounter finally gave Michael the confidence to move forward with the surgery.
At 37, he received the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee and is finally living without the pain that once held him back. Today, he can keep up with his kids, enjoy daily activities again and is even back on the golf course.
“Working at the company that restored my mobility means everything to me,” said Michael. “It gives me a huge sense of pride when I can tell people that one of our very own innovations is now implanted in my knee. I hope that by sharing my story at this incredible event it inspires others to take action and get back to living their fullest and most joyful lives possible.”
Stories like Michael’s remind us that our products and solutions are not just technologies – they are pathways back to movement, independence and life’s everyday moments.
Honoring the Global Teams Who Make It Possible
Tidings of Joy also celebrates the thousands of global team members who bring our mission to life – from engineering to manufacturing to clinical support. Their skill and dedication make every patient story possible.
“Every seven seconds a patient’s life is impacted by one of our technologies and I have an amazing amount of gratitude to our global team members for their dedication every day that makes this possible,” said Ivan Tornos, Chairman, President and CEO. “Tidings of Joy is one of the days I look forward to every year as it allows us to celebrate the impact we are making in the lives of others through our work and it gives us the opportunity to celebrate the teams who make this possible.”
As we close another year, Tidings of Joy leaves us with gratitude: for our patients, our global community and for the shared purpose that drives us to keep improving the lives of people around the world.
Because when we keep patients at the heart of everything we do, incredible things happen.
1. Osteochondritis Dissecans: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21073-osteochondritis-dissecans
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