Industry Update NRH Announces Time-Saving Automation National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH), Washington, DC, has begun using a new automated performance appraisal process that is trimming appraisal time in half. The process was developed by IT provider Gill & Piette Inc, Washington, DC, and uses NRH's email software. NRH, a division of Medstar Health, is a private, nonprofit rehabilitation facility. Practice Builders Promotes New President Medical World Communications Inc (MWC), Jamesburg, NJ, has promoted Lonnie Hirsch to president of Practice Builders as part of an ongoing growth strategy. Hirsch, a 15-year Practice Builders veteran and most recently its executive vice president, will be responsible for sales, marketing, and product development. Prior to his career with Practice Builders, Hirsch was cofounder and producer of Ensemble Public Relations, and worked in marketing and sales at Digital Equipment Corp. Practice Builders is a professional practice health care marketing firm specializing in the design and implementation of private practice growth and marketing plans. Spinal Technology Marks 10 Years Spinal Technology, West Yarmouth, Mass, announces its 10th anniversary celebration. The company, founded in 1991, produces custom spinal orthoses. Prosthetic Expert Takes Over Program Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Bethesda, Md, announces that Randall Alley, designer of the XFrame socket system, has been named head of clinical research and business development for Hanger's Upper Extremity Prosthetic Program, based in Anaheim, Calif. Alley returns to Hanger after a 2-year absence. Permobil Continues Steady Growth Permobil Inc, Nashville, Tenn, has announced an increase in sales and profits for 2001. The announcement comes amid reports of a decline in the industry. The company, which specializes in the production of power wheelchairs, said that it showed sales increases of more than 25% for the third quarter, and more than 30% for the fourth quarter of 2001.
