Early Life and Education
James Richard Leininger was born in Warsaw, Indiana, in 1944. He developed an interest in medicine early on. He attended Indiana University in Indianapolis, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1965 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1969.
Rise to Success
After completing internships and postgraduate courses, Leininger settled in San Antonio, Texas. In 1976, he founded Kinetic Concepts (KCI), a global medical technology corporation. KCI revolutionized wound care and patient recovery, propelling Leininger to prominence in the healthcare industry. In 2012, Apax Partners acquired KCI for $6.3 billion, with Leininger as the largest shareholder.
Key Business Strategies
Leininger's success stems from identifying a critical need in healthcare: advanced wound care. His company, Kinetic Concepts, developed innovative products, including negative pressure technology and the Graftjacket Regenerative Tissue Matrix.
Philanthropy
Leininger is involved in philanthropic efforts, supporting education, humanitarian aid, and scientific research. He supports school choice initiatives, through CEO San Antonio and CEO America, organizations that provide vouchers to students.