** Shares of medical device maker Baxter International BAX.N rise 1.9% to $17.72 premarket

** BAX says Chief Financial Officer Joel Grade will step down and be replaced by Anita Zielinski on an interim basis, effective immediately

** Co says Grade is leaving the company to prioritize family matters but will continue serving the company in an advisory capacity until April 30, 2026

** As of last close, BAX stock was down ~9% YTD

(Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan)

((Padmanabhan.Ananthan@thomsonreuters.com))