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Zimmer will have no role in selecting the recipients of its funding, butit will be permitted to allocate its donation among one or more specialty orsub-specialty areas that the Company wishes to support. These funding areasmay include Adult Reconstruction/Arthroplasty; Shoulder and Elbow; Spine;Trauma; Sports Orthopaedic Surgery; Pediatric Orthopaedics; Foot and Ankle;Orthopaedic Oncology; Hand and Upper Limb Surgery; and Residency/EducationalResources.
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"We are proud to collaborate with the AOA to create a vehicle that willallow us to maintain our long-standing, substantial support for post-graduatemedical education while establishing safeguards to assure the confidence andtrust of all stakeholders," said David Dvorak, Zimmer Holdings President andChief Executive Officer. "As public and non-corporate private funding forfellowships has declined, we believe it is vital to patients that industry beable to continue to advance the medical profession. We join with the AOA inseeking to foster the development of the next generation of physicians whowill conceive of new ways to improve patient outcomes."
"We are pleased to provide a new model to administer funding for post-graduate education to ensure the continuation of quality education, researchand sub-specialty clinical skills development. OMeGA will operate as a fair,independent and fully transparent entity in efforts to continue theadvancement of orthopaedic care," said Louis Bigliani, MD, President of theAOA. "Zimmer's common commitment to transparency and independence is theperfect fit for OMeGA. As the first company to embrace this new approach,Zimmer has been designated as the Founding Supporter of OMeGA and theirgenerous donation has placed them as a Platinum Supporter, the highest levelof recognition given to OMeGA donors based on funding levels," said Dr.Bigliani.
The Board of Directors of OMeGA will be selected using criteria thatrequire individuals to meet rigorous standards of independence; only those whohave no current ties to the orthopaedic industry and who have received noremuneration from the orthopaedic industry in the past two years will beeligible to serve as Directors. The Board of Directors will establish reviewpanels composed of individuals who are qualified by their education andexperience to evaluate education programs in various sub-specialties and whosatisfy OMeGA's conflict of interest standards. These independent reviewpanels will be responsible for applying objective criteria to consider grantapplications, subject to continued oversight by the Board of Directors.
About Zimmer
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer designs,develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal andtrauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products. Zimmer hasoperations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products inmore than 100 countries. Zimmer's 2007 sales were approximately $3.9 billion.The Company is supported by the efforts of approximately 8,500 employeesworldwide.
For more information about Zimmer, visit www.zimmer.com
About the AOA
The American Orthopaedic Association, founded in 1887, is the oldestnational orthopaedic association in the world. The AOA's mission is toidentify, develop, engage and recognize leadership to further the art andscience of orthopaedics. For more information, visit www.aoassn.org or call847.318.7350.
SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
