GE Healthcare: Nigel Darby has been appointed vice president of biotechnologies for GE Healthcare (Fairfield, Conn.). Darby joined GE approximately six years ago as vice president of research and development for GE Healthcare's life sciences division. Most recently he has been responsible for the biotechnologies business within the life sciences division, where he also served as chief technology officer. Prior to joining GE, Darby worked for AstraZeneca in Sweden. [June 2009]

Gen-Probe : Carl W. Hull has succeeded Henry L. Nordhoff as CEO of Gen-Probe ( San Diego, Calif.). Formerly Gen-Probe's president and chief operating officer, Hull also has joined the company's board of directors. Nordhoff, who had served as Gen-Probe's CEO since 1994, is now non-executive chairman following his re-election to the board at the company's annual meeting of stockholders. [June 2009]

Cowen Group: Jim Lilly has joined Cowen Group ( New York, N.Y.) as a managing director in the investment banking group and will lead the firm's health care services practice. Lilly was previously a managing director in Merrill Lynch's global health care group. Prior to joining Merrill in 2005, he was co-head of the health care group at Jefferies and began his health care career at Piper Jaffray. [June 2009]

Water Street Healthcare Partners : Robert B. Womsley has agreed to join Water Street Healthcare Partners (Chicago), a private equity firm focused exclusively on the health care industry. A senior partner with Citi Private Equity, Womsley will join Water Street Healthcare as a partner on July 1, 2009.

Pacific Biosciences : Eric Schadt , Ph.D., has been appointed chief scientific officer of Pacific Biosciences ( Menlo Park , Calif. ). He was previously executive scientific director of genetics at Rosetta Inpharmatics, a subsidiary of Merck & Co. [May 2009]

CIGNA : Annmarie Hagan has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer of CIGNA Corporation ( Philadelphia , Penn. ). Since joining CIGNA in 1987, Hagan has held numerous leadership positions, including chief accounting officer and controller. Hagan succeeds departing CFO Michael W. Bell, who is resigning from CIGNA after 25 years with the company. [May 2009]