SpineJournal.gr | Spine News

WARSAW, Ind., July 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SWX: ZMH) today announced the launch of the new Zimmer Institute. Over the past year, Zimmer has collaborated with teaching surgeons and subject matter experts to develop a unique model for surgeon and clinician training. Combining its Medical Education, BioSkills Training and Surgeon-to-Surgeon programs under one, consolidated service offering, the enhanced Zimmer Institute provides a highly interactive environment for surgeon and clinician education that the Company believes sets new standards for the industry.

A continuum of courses is available through the Zimmer Institute, spanning online learning modules, interactive small group discussions, intensive case study reviews, hands-on cadaver-based training and surgeon-to-surgeon training programs. Course modules have been tailored to match an individual surgeon’s experience level, providing in-depth knowledge on products and procedures. Zimmer Institute courses have a high faculty-to-student ratio and incorporate new technologies, promoting greater interaction with faculty trainers and participant collaboration. Courses are offered at many regional locations worldwide, minimizing the time participants will have to spend away from their practices.

“Advanced professional training is in great demand and our ability to meet this need is vital to supporting our customers,” noted Audrey Beckman, Senior Vice President, Zimmer Institute. “We recognize the importance of being at the forefront of professional education and are committed to providing medical and dental professionals with unparalleled training and course offerings that will not only teach them how to use our products safely and effectively, but will also give them the opportunity to hone and refine their surgical skill sets.”

Courses conducted using the new format have been underway since 2008, and are being rolled out globally, with more than 800 events scheduled in 2009, training more than 12,000 medical professionals and more than 8,000 dental professionals. Additional information regarding the enhanced Zimmer Institute is available at zimmerinstitute.zimmer.com.

WINNIPEG, July 29 — IMRIS Inc. (TSX: IM ; “IMRIS” or the “Company”) announced today that Massachusetts General Hospital has selected IMRISneuro as the latest investment for its world-leading imaging and neurosurgical services.
Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of Radiology will install IMRIS’ 3Tesla MRI in its new “Building for the 3rd Century”. This one-of-a-kind technology will allow Mass General’s Neurosurgery team to scan with the MRI during surgical procedures. The result is timely, high resolution images and critical patient information without ever moving the patient. The IMRISneuro system installed at Mass General will provide leading edge, multi-functional capabilities to the neuroscience team.

David Graves, President and CEO of IMRIS commented: “The adoption of our technology by leaders in neuroscience continues to validate IMRISneuro as the intra-operative imaging solution of choice.”

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(HSMN NewsFeed)–US Spine(R), the leader in facet technologies for spine surgery, today announced that it has named Paul J. Sendro Executive Vice President. Sendro, who brings to US Spine nearly twenty years of medical device industry experience, will oversee the company’s Sales, Marketing, Professional Education and Business Development efforts.
Sendro, who most recently served as President and CEO of Vertebron, Inc., helped increase that global medical device company’s sales threefold in less than a year. Prior to his work for Vertebron, he served at Blackstone Medical, Inc. for six years, most recently as Vice President, Domestic Sales. While at Blackstone, he developed and implemented the company’s strategic sales plan for accelerated growth and profitability, lifting domestic sales from a run rate of 700k per month to over 9 million per month, through to acquisition.

Earlier in his career, Sendro was Director of Marketing, Trauma/Global for Stryker, Director of Product Development and Marketing for Stryker Japan and Marketing Manager at Synthes.

“We’re extremely proud to be adding Paul to our team,” said US Spine President and CEO, Doris Blake. “His successful track record in the medical device industry speaks for itself. We are confident that his strategic focus and uncanny ability to clearly assess situations and markets, develop and implement growth plans will be a key factor in our move to the next level of excellence and market prominence.”

Sendro received his Bachelor of Science degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and his Masters of Business Administration from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.

To further strengthen the company’s leadership and future outlook, Custom Spine announces new members to the Board of Directors. Over the past several months Custom Spine, under the leadership of President Lew Bennett, has made efforts to diversify the experience of the company’s Board of Directors.

The new members are considered industry leaders in their respective fields and bring with them vast business experience. Gualberto (Gil) Medina, currently serves as the Executive Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield, the world’s largest privately held global real estate services firm. His past experience includes an appointment as the Secretary of Commerce for the State of New Jersey and to the Small Business Administration National Advisory Council.

Custom Spine also appointed two businessmen to the Board of Directors from the medical device industry. James Pastena is a Founder and CEO of ElectroCore, LLC, an innovative neuromodulation company currently conducting human trials with a revolutionary airway rescue system for asthmatics in crisis. Previously, Mr. Pastena served as President – CEO of EBI and Corporate Vice President of Biomet and grew sales from $80 million to just under $500 million . Additionally, Doug Daniels, President /CEO and Director at Hydrocision, joined the Custom Spine Board of Directors with over 26 years of medical device experience. Mr. Daniels has previously held position as the President /CEO of VeinRx and served as Vice President and General Manager of the Microvasive Endoscopy Division at Boston Scientific where revenues grew from $8.5 to $450 million during his time at the company.

Lew Bennett, President of Custom Spine, commented: “We are delighted to add these executives to Custom Spine’s leadership team. Their wealth of experience and proven business sense will be a tremendous asset to the company as we look forward to future growth in the spine industry.”