Spinal Cord Specialist Joins University of Buffalo
Shanker Nesathurai, MD, has been named chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, NY. Nesathurai, a specialist in spinal cord injury and rehabilitation, is principal investigator on a $1.5-million, 5-year grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to develop national strategies to increase employment of people with disabilities. He received his medical degree and residency training at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He served at Boston University from 1995 until this year.
RIC Honors Speech-Language Pathology Professional
Anita Halper, a speech-language pathologist and 42-year employee of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, will be honored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in November for her distinguished role in the field. Halper began her career in 1956, and created and inaugurated the speech-language pathology department. She holds faculty appointments in Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Northwestern’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has also authored, coauthored, or edited almost 100 books, journal articles, and book chapters.
Altimate Medical Sponsors Seminars
Altimate Medical Inc (AMI), Morton, Minn, is sponsoring two educational seminars at Medtrade 2002, to be held on October 29-31 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta. The first seminar, “Want Fries With That? Strategies for Selling Standers,” will feature AMI national sales manager Peter Wankelman, and Gary Dullinger, rehab technology specialist at Wheelchairs Plus in St Cloud, Minn. The second seminar, “Standers: From Evaluation to Delivery,” will feature Dullinger and Nancy Perlich, COTA, ATS, product and reimbursement specialist at AMI.
Benchmark Announces Appointment and Acquisition
Benchmark Medical Inc, Malvern, Pa, has appointed Wayne Weitz to vice president, mergers and acquisitions for the company. During his 13-year career in corporate acquisitions, Weitz has completed more than 70 worldwide corporate transactions totaling more than $2 billion. He received his MBA in finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth. In addition, Benchmark has acquired the Cape Girardeau Prosthetic Lab and Standard Artificial Limb and Brace Company, based in Cape Girardeau, Mo. This acquisition, which includes eight facilities, expands Benchmark’s capabilities in the Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois regions.
Noel Hoekstra, President, COO
Munich Trade Fairs Names New President/COO
Munich Trade Fairs North America, Chicago, has named Noel Hoekstra as its new president and chief operating officer. In this position, Hoekstra will oversee all activities to help US companies and industry leaders connect to global markets by either exhibiting at or visiting the more than 30 annual international trade shows organized by Messe Munchen, based in Germany. Prior to joining the company, Hoekstra was executive vice president at Messe Dusseldorf North America, where she was responsible for the sales and marketing of more than 30 international trade shows in the medical, packaging, and fashion industries.
Homecare Products Hires Designer
Homecare Products, Kent, Wash, has announced the hiring of Dave Bailie to design the company’s new line of modular ramps and oversee its new manufacturing facility. Bailie comes to the company with a manufacturing background, specializing in production methods and control. He most recently worked in the recreational vehicle industry.
Hanoun Medical Introduces New Technology
Hanoun Medical Inc, Downsview, Ontario, has introduced a new product called the Hanoun Upper Extremity (UE) System. This system is designed to assess upper extremity human performance, detect possible impairment, and provide rehabilitation to patients with repetitive strain injuries, and employs both strength and dexterity testing. The system uses advanced protocols and fatigue analysis software to determine and quantify physical abilities and work-related performance on a precise basis. It features a variety of strength tests, including grip; pinch; static torque force; wrist flexion/extension strength; independent finger joint strength; manual dexterity; bilateral simultaneous grip and pinch strength; repetitive wrist, elbow, and shoulder flexion and extension; handling, tool manipulation, and fine finger dexterity; and gross manipulation.
Good Shepherd to Open Hospital
Good Shepherd, Allentown, Pa, has announced that it will open a new rehabilitation hospi- tal in Bethlehem, Pa, in mid September. The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital will have 29 private patient rooms and will be located in the build-ing that currently houses Good Shepherd Home—Bethlehem. The hospital will provide general inpatient rehabilitation services, including those related to stroke and orthopedics. Good Shepherd is a post-acute rehabilitation care group consisting of two hospitals, eight outpatient facilities, one long-term acute care hospital, two long-term care homes for people with disabilities, and a work services division.
