BURLINGTON, Ontario, Canada – Otto Bock HealthCare Canada was recently honoured with the Corporate Award from The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (www.cfpdp.com). The award, presented on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at the Great Valentine Gala in Toronto, recognizes companies who have made an outstanding contribution in assisting persons with disabilities, especially in the workplace.

“I am proud of the Otto Bock team in Canada and the work we do, and it is an honour to be recognized for our contributions to those with disabilities,” says Mark Agro, President and CEO of Otto Bock HealthCare Canada. “Helping to restore human independence and quality of life is rewarding each and every day, and I enjoyed the opportunity to share Otto Bock’s dedication to that mission with such a large audience.”

Nine hundred people enjoyed a special dinner and evening of entertainment which provided an enduring tribute to the achievements and aspirations of Canadians with disabilities. In its 27th year, a main objective of the Gala is to improve awareness in the business community, government and general public of the amazing contributions of persons with physical disabilities.

 MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Andreas Kannenberg, MD, PhD, and director of medical affairs for Otto Bock was recently selected to receive the Thranhardt Award by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association National Assembly Clinical Sessions Workgroup.

The award is endowed by the Southeastern Hanger Companies in order to recognize individuals committed to advancing O&P education and research. The honor includes a cash award of $500 and the opportunity to present the report that earned the award at the AOPA National Assembly. Dr. Kannenberg presented his submission, “A New Shoulder Orthosis to Treat Painful Shoulder and Facilitate Gait Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients” at the 2010 Assembly in Orlando, FL.

“We recognize the Thranhardt Award is the most prestigious award given in the field of O&P in the U.S. for scientific and clinical presentations, and Andreas is well deserving of the honor,” said Brad Ruhl, President & CEO, Otto Bock US HealthCare. “Commitment to research to support the O&P profession is a priority at Otto Bock, and his work is an example of our dedication to that objective.”

Dr. Kannenberg earned his medical degree in 1989 from Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, and he was board certified as a general practitioner in 1995. His more than ten years of clinical experience includes work in general and family medicine, surgery, internal medicine, rheumatology, orthopedics and rehabilitation medicine.

As the director of medical affairs of Otto Bock HealthCare, Duderstadt, Germany,Dr. Kannenberg coordinates a global medical and research team and network to consult R&D, product management, and sales on medical backgrounds relevant to Otto Bock´s products and R&D projects. His team is responsible for researching and defining medical requirements for new products, initiation and management of clinical trials, and medical training as well as the medical support to negotiate with health care payers. The establishment of the Medical Affairs department he oversees has allowed Otto Bock to even more closely connect with the medical community, improve patient outcomes of new products, and accelerate the transfer of new technology to clinical practice.

“Otto Bock is deeply committed to performing research to develop state-of-the-art technology solutions for patients with limited mobility,” said Dr. Kannenberg. “It’s an honor both to be a part of those industry leading efforts and to receive recognition in the form of the respected Thranhardt Award.”

Company recognised as the Most Innovative Company of the Year in Europe

LIVINGSTON, UK – July 13, 2010 – Touch Bionics (www.touchbionics.com), developer of advanced upper-limb bionic technologies and clinical solutions, today announced that it has won the award for the Most Innovative Company of the Year in Europe in the 2010 International Business Awards. The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honouring great performances in business.

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala dinner on Monday, 27 September in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

In the application process for the award, Touch Bionics was assessed on its progress in innovation over the past year, which included the launches of both its ProDigits partial hand solution and its new prosthetic hand device, the i-LIMB Pulse. Honourees were selected through two rounds of judging by business professionals worldwide. More than 1,700 entries were received from organizations and individuals in more than 40 nations.

Other companies recognised as Distinguished Honourees in the same category topped by Touch Bionics included major brands like H&M, Nestle and SAP.

"Winning an International Business Award is a demonstration of Touch Bionics’ outstanding innovation and business success over the past year, and to win ahead of some of the biggest names in global business is a tremendous achievement," said Stuart Mead, Touch Bionics’ CEO. "Innovation is at the core of this company and, from the launch of our first product, the i-LIMB Hand, we have never stopped innovating to ensure we continue to lead the world in the field of commercial bionic technology."

"Despite the harsh economic climate, entries to the IBAs actually grew a bit this year, and that illustrates the increasing importance of The International Business Awards worldwide," said Michael Gallagher, president of The Stevie Awards, presenters of the IBAs. "We congratulate all of the Finalists and International Stevie Awards winners, and we look forward to honouring them for their achievements at our gala awards dinner in Istanbul on 27 September."

A complete list of all 2010 International Business Awards honorees is available at www.stevieawards.com/iba.

About The Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

About Touch Bionics

Touch Bionics is a leading developer of advanced upper-limb prosthetics. In late 2009, Touch Bionics brought to market ProDigits, the world’s first bionic fingers for partial hand amputees. This revolutionary product followed the 2007 launch of the i-LIMB Hand, a first-to-market prosthetic device with five individually powered digits. The acquisition of LIVINGSKIN in 2008 enabled the company to apply its commercial and technical expertise into new cosmesis solutions for multi-articulating hands and digits. Touch Bionics continues to develop leading-edge technologies for the treatment of patients with upper-limb deficiencies. For more information, visit www.touchbionics.com.

Perrysburg, OH, June 24, 2010 —Perry Prosthetics moved from a 2,000 square space to a 7,000 square foot building, which they renovated as a state-of-the-art prosthetics facility. In celebrating, Perry Prosthetics invites all to join them at their new facility on July 16, 2010 at 970 W. South Boundary, Perrysburg, Ohio. Food and beverages will be served from 11 AM – 8 PM.

One of the many new features of Perry Prosthetics’ state-of-the-art facility is the Amp-U-Fitness™ Center, an on-site gym equipped with weight machines, free weights, treadmills and many other exercise equipment. It is designed for their patients and others living with limb loss to stay fit. In addition, once a month, Perry Prosthetics invites amputees that want to improve their mobility skills or learn basic exercises to join them at the Amp-U-Fitness™ Walking Clinics (call for a schedule). The clinics are designed to a group setting where each individual interacts with healthcare professionals and focuses on their needs.

Diabetes and other vascular related diseases are the leading factors in limb loss today, especially among the geriatric population. The impact of losing a limb is life altering, whether you are young or old. Perry Prosthetics has been building lifelong relationships within our community by providing an important service. Over the past decade, they have chosen to provide strictly prosthetics, leaving orthotic braces and durable medical equipment for other facilities. This makes them a unique company in the Northwest Ohio area. Exclusively providing prosthetic limbs gives them a ‘leg up’ on the competition, which benefits their patients and contributes to their ten years of success.

Their clinical team is growing. Christopher Perry, Founder, says, “There is a need for quality care in prosthetics and I’m happy to say that we are creating a team that pursues excellence at all costs”. He further states, “the patient deserves the right amount of time from our clinicians and that varies with every individual. We thrive on making our patients happy. We not only make limbs for our patients, but we work with them and their Occupational and Physical Therapists to better use their limbs in their everyday lives.”

“The Open House is our way of saying thank you to the community for showing their support over the past decade,” stated Eric Robinson, Business Manager. 

PrimeCare Network has had numerous calls and inquiries over the past week regarding its Regional Scientific Symposium in Nashville, scheduled for June 4th and 5th, 2010.  

HEADGEAR, INC DONATES MORE 5,000 PAIRS OF SHOES AND 100,000 SHIRTS TO SOLES4SOULS® INC, THE SHOE CHARITY FOR HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Nashville, TN/ New York, NY (February 9, 2010) – Headgear, INC announced Tuesday it will donate 5,000 pairs of shoes and 100,000 shirts to Soles4Souls, the international charity dedicated to distributing new and gently worn shoes to those in need all over the world. The shoes are in support of Soles4Souls commitment to send more than 1.3 Million pairs of shoes to the devastated region.

Soles4Souls has partnered with other organizations on the ground in Haiti to transport and distribute the aid. More than 100,000 pairs of shoes, including work boots, rain boots, children’s athletic shoes and clothing items, have already been distributed in Haiti. The shoe charity announced it will continue to send shoes to the region throughout 2010 as part of their sustainable efforts to help Haiti in the rebuilding efforts.

“The mission to bring hope to the people of Haiti is well underway,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. “With the help of our friends at Headgear, INC, Haitians can begin to rebuild their lives and look forward to a brighter day.”

"We are proud to be partnering with Soles4Souls to aid the relief efforts currently underway in Haiti. Our donation is a token of our strong commitment to our communities and consumers alike. We hope our shoes and clothing can provide hope and happiness to those in need."

For more information on how to get involved and donate to the victims in Haiti, visit www.giveshoes.org.

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About Soles4Souls®

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. We distribute these shoes, free of charge, to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently distributing one pair every 9 seconds). The shoes have been distributed in 125 countries, including Haiti, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

About Headgear

HeadGear, Inc. designs, markets and distributes a full collection of men’s, women’s, and youth clothing and accessories. Founded in 1992 as primarily a cap wholesaler, HeadGear has expanded into a full line of apparel and accessories and markets a strong portfolio of brands such as the premier lines of Blac Label, Blac Label Pink, and True Ambition footwear.

Contact:
Elizabeth Kirk, Soles4Souls, 615-391-5723, elizabethk@giveshoes.org

 
On October 2, 2009 PrimeCare Network launched its first annual “Initiating Mobility Provider Relations Executives Seminar” (imPRES). Held at the Westin Hotel on Beale Street in Memphis, the seminar featured an opportunity for provider relations executives, medical directors and nurse life care planners to get to know each other and several of PrimeCare board members, and for presenters to inform and educate these MCO executives on prosthetics and orthotics.

Commented Clint Snell, president of Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics in Louisiana:

“I was very excited to see the insurance professionals that attended get an overview and detailed information on new technology in the prosthetics and orthotics fields. This is the first opportunity that I have seen to actually answer any questions that the insurance professionals may have on orthotics and prosthetics and have a good feeling about developing a beneficial relationship for both. I would look forward to attending any seminars that Prime Care may hold in the future.”

" As a business owner, president of a state association, and State licensing Board member I consider myself knowledgeable on what is going on in our industry. Every time I attend a PrimeCare function I leave with a list new ideas to improve my business or how our members can be more effective in providing O. and P. services in our state. It is clear to me as PrimeCare's membership spreads across the country our educational format will become more valuable to the payers of our services in the future. A strong point was made at imPRES that the independent provider of Orthotics and Prosthetics is key to the quality of future care,” concurred Dan Oglesby, president of Birmingham Limb and Brace in Alabama.

Presenters were equally enthusiastic: “The conference was a wonderful opportunity for case managers and professionals in the insurance field to come together with members of the o&p industry to share ideas and information especially with regards to new technology in the field. I enjoyed speaking about the Microprocessor Knee and how it changes the lives of patients. The sharing of this information with both the insurance industry and peers in the o&p profession is a benefit to all. I enjoyed participating and would certainly attend future seminars held by Prime Care,” noted Byron Backus with Otto Bock.

Cathie Pruitt, President of the Network promised: “We are committed to educating the decision makers at the managed care organizations and will continue to build on October’s seminar. imPRES is now part of our ongoing strategy to support independent facilities. We are expecting this meeting to grow, similar to the growth our PrimeFare meetings have enjoyed.”

“This initial meeting opened a lot of doors for us to provide additional training, internally to case managers, adjusters, utilization review staff and others in managed care organizations, as well as the provider relations executives. As a result of this first foray into this type of education, we have had invitations from at least a half dozen managed care organizations to provide seminars to their staffs. We are currently developing modules for this training, which will begin in second quarter, 2010,” said Jane Edwards, Vice President of Operations for PrimeCare.

"The Impress seminar was a needed bridge in connecting different payer representatives to today's O&P technology. I feel it was a success and a great foundation to build off of for future seminars," agreed Aaron Sorensen, president of Restorative Health Services in middle Tennessee, and O&P Billing Solutions.

For more information, contact PrimeCare at 888-388-5243 or www.primecareop.com.
PrimeCare O&P Network was founded in 1998 with the mission of supporting America’s independent orthotics and prosthetics practitioners and practices.

 
On October 9, 2009 ownership of the PrimeCare Network, LLC was transferred from Clint, Frank and Ted Snell to Cathie Pruitt and Jane Edwards.

“We all felt that the Network had reached a crossroads and that, since Cathie and Jane have been instrumental in conducting the day to day management and long range planning since the beginning, this was an opportunity for growth and expansion of the company,” said Clint Snell, president of Snell’s Orthotics and Prosthetics of Louisiana.

“With the ongoing uncertainty in the health care field, we understood that the Snells have to make investments in their private practices top priority. At the same time, in order to move forward with our game plan for growth and expansion of services to members, an infusion of capital was needed. Jane and I believe strongly enough in the future of PrimeCare and in the future of independent practitioners to make that investment,” said Pruitt, President and Partner of PrimeCare. “The Snells agreed with us that this would be an appropriate direction for them, us and our members and partner suppliers.”

“All of the Snells will continue our memberships in PrimeCare. The Network has been an invaluable resource to all of our companies and we are maintaining a close relationship with the new owners and the membership and stand ready to provide whatever support and advice they might need,” noted Frank Snell, president of Snell Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory in Arkansas.

“We are very happy that our board of directors have also all agreed to stay on in the capacity of an advisory board. Over course of eleven years, the advice and support of our board members have kept us moving in the right direction as well as counseling us when it comes to clinical matters,” commented Edwards, Partner and Vice President of Operations for the company.

“Passing the baton to these ladies, in my opinion, shows that all of us have a great deal of belief and faith in their leadership moving forward. With their guidance and support, the Network has created educational opportunities, access to contracts and other benefits, including our PrimeCare Partners program, managed care executive training in o&p, and materials for members’ use in various aspects,” said Ted Snell, president of CFI Prosthetics Orthotics in Memphis and North Mississippi.
Pruitt and Edwards agreed that initial feedback from members and other sectors of the field has been excellent.

“While there will be changes, the changes will be positive ones. We are going to keep our core values in place, that of not becoming involved in centralized billing, of continuing to grow our portfolio of national contracts and maintaining member exclusivity, depending upon market size,” said Pruitt.

Edwards further commented: “One of the shifts that will be seen is an escalation of our firm commitment to training and education, in addition to contracting and other benefits. Our plans are to devote ourselves to ensuring that our members know how to best use the contracts that they have as a result of membership and to increase our focus on making sure that managed care executives and others in those organizations have o&p top of mind.”

“We want the managed care organizations to understand the impact their reimbursement and other policies have on our members and on the “end user”: the patient. Given that understanding, we feel we can make incremental in-roads with these companies to increase their perceptions of our practitioners as the professionals that they are, with the goal of improving reimbursements to our members. Additionally, we are communicating with them the fact that proper o&p care at livable reimbursements will save them money in the long term, as patients are less likely to develop co-morbidities that can result from our members being “hamstrung” by not being able to provide some of the technologies available today,” observed Pruitt.

“We invite anyone who would like to speak to us personally about PrimeCare and its future to contact us and we will be happy to address questions and input,” said Edwards.

PrimeCare O&P Network, LLC was founded in 1998 with the mission of supporting America’s independent prosthetics, orthotics and pedorthics practices and practitioners.

For more information, contact PrimeCare at 888-388-5243 or on the web at www.primecareop.com .
 

 
GMA ABC Execs Had Prior Knowledge May Lead To Additional Charges

Joseph Sammartano, the former U.S. Army Policy Development and Training Officer whose designs are used today worldwide to counter terrorism and more, is now taking on the challenge to battle Goliath. He is asking all veterans and all AmeriCAN’s® to boycott GMA/ABC and all sponsors.

“I know why GMA ABC continues to use my trademark, Greed and ratings. No single brand, trademark or word can make all 300 million citizens react. Every person in the U.S. has a direct kinship with this word, and is perhaps the most recognized brand in the entire world by its name alone. I did not create, nor was I compensated or inspired to design the AmeriCAN® trademark for any entertainment company, especially for their own good. It was created to help protect all people, inspiring students, parents and teachers through a not for profit organization.

D. Yellen of Ballon Stoll Bader & Nadler P.C. NY, Docket # Filed NYC Federal Court 09CV9318 Paragraph # 18 of the complaint states “The acquired mark of the defendant is so similar to the plaintiff as to be unquestionably be the product of a scheme of deliberate copy by the defendant. As such it is highly likely one or more of the defendants acted in concert, with knowing intent, of an illicit plan to infringe the exclusive rights of the plaintiff and of the AmeriCAN® mark. Paragraph # 17 identifies direct infringement of the registration AmeriCAN® mark”.

Sammartano plans to fight GMA/ABC and show the deliberate intent by GMA staff to violate not only his rights, but the law. GMA’s deliberate attempt to change/modify the color and the stars of the mark once they were notified is a clear admission of guilt, plus may be violating another trademark owner.

Jack Campaign of Graham Campaign who filed the first notice stated “I would only point out at this time that the test of infringement is not whether the marks are identical, but whether they are confusingly similar, and more confusingly similar I have never seen short of a counterfeit. But that's for the court to decide if we cannot reach an agreement".

Not surprising, GMA’s market share increased while airing the AmeriCAN® segment. Sammartano and others believe GMA ABC, owned by Disney, will try to wear Sammartano down in court, exhaust his money and try to continue using his mark. Not unlike Robert Kearns vs Ford, Chrysler which took almost twenty years to settle. Sam asks “everyone especially Vets to Boycott all products sponsors and advertisers with ABC GMA. Your support is needed by going to the web site, calling ABC, and show Corporate America who you are: I CAN, You CAN, We CAN because we are AmeriCAN®. “There is no justice in this world, THERE IS JUST US”! Sammartano said and asks all media to help him that he doesn't become another casualty of GREED and Corporate Oppression. His efforts have trained hundreds of thousands to protect us, it is time we protect him! The campaign has begun! Help him!

Contact:
Ballon Stoll Bader & Nadler P.C. NY
D.Yellen Phone 212-575-7900 Fax 212 764 5060
Peter Martin 917 470 9290 J. P. Sammartano (Sam) 386 441 9400
Deadline 386 405 4004 media@americanchallenge.org JPSamm@americanchallenge.org