MEDIchair Announces COO

Ron Lowe, president of LifeMark Health and MEDIchair, Calgary, Canada, has announced that Bas van Lankvelt has been promoted to the position of chief operating officer (COO) of MEDIchair. "In the year following LifeMark's purchase of MEDIchair in September 2005, Bas has demonstrated that he has both the practical industry experience and the business acumen needed to help take MEDIchair to the next level of growth," Lowe says. "Shortly after the acquisition, Bas was appointed director, support services, assuming responsibility for the national day-to-day operations of MEDIchair. In his new role as COO, I will be supporting him as we develop and deploy MEDIchair's ongoing strategic business development and planning strategies."

"I am delighted to assume this new role with MEDIchair and look forward to the opportunities before us," says van Lankvelt, who cited several corporate accomplishments achieved by MEDIchair in the past year:

• Awarded Veterans Affairs Canada Elevating contract for Ontario
• Creation of BC joint marketing fund for franchisees.
• Negotiated marketing deal with Pacific Blue Cross.
• Increased system-wide sales by 10% over the previous year.

"Our senior management team has a lot of depth and strength," Lowe says. "We have a number of very exciting initiatives underway that will help grow MEDIchair nationally. Collectively, we have achieved a lot in the 12 months and the future has never looked brighter for MEDIchair and LifeMark Health." van Lankvelt joined MEDIchair in 2003. He holds an honors bachelor of kinesiology degree from Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, and a diploma in athletic therapy from Mount Royal College, Calgary. He also received his designation as an assistive technology practitioner from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). He has successfully completed an executive management program at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary.

The ROHO Group Supports NRRTS Registrants

The ROHO Group Inc, Belleville, Ill, is giving recognition on its Web site to providers who employ National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) registrants.

The ROHO Group has updated its retail locator with a search option that allows consumers to find a ROHO approved provider in his/her area who employs NRRTS registrants. This option is the first and recommended choice available to the consumer.

"While the consumer will still have the option to choose from a full listing of all approved ROHO providers, we have decided to emphasize the importance of certified rehab professionals when ordering and fitting ROHO Group products," says Melissa Keim, vice president of marketing. "We fell this is a winning solution for our consumers. They can be confident that the provider they have chosen employs a certified rehab technology specialist who has the experience and knowledge to find the most appropriate ROHO product for them."

Ossur Americas to Include US, Canada, Latin America, Caribbean

Ossur hf, Reykjavik, Iceland, a developer, manufacturer, and marketer of orthopedic products, announces that it has combined its US, Canada, Latin America, and Caribbean operations into one larger division that will be known as Ossur Americas.

"This new structure is a significant step in transforming Ossur from a channel-focused orthopedics company to a customer-focused enterprise," says Eythor Bender, president of Ossur Americas. "It will better align Ossur's organizational structure throughout the Western Hemisphere with our strategic vision, which is to be everywhere our customers want us to be with our high-functioning, high quality products, and to powerfully and resourcefully address their needs."

Additionally, Ossur Americas unveiled a new sales reporting structure for prosthetics. Jairo Blumenthal, director for Latin America, and Nick Marchand, director of sales, will report directly to Ossur America's Tim McCarthy, vice president of marketing and sales—prosthetics division. The new organization will increase efficiency and accountability for results by reducing management layers and streamlining management processes, but its primary goal is to enhance its customer focus programs.

Anodyne Therapy LLC Enters Agreement with HealthSouth

Anodyne Therapy LLC, Tampa, Fla, has entered into a 3-year preferred provider agreement with HealthSouth for infrared photo energy therapy products. HealthSouth is one of the leading national providers of outpatient and inpatient rehab services with over 1,200 facilities nationwide. Anodyne Therapy is the market-leading infrared photo energy device manufacturer.

"We are extremely pleased that HealthSouth has selected us as their preferred vendor for light therapy products," says Craig Turtzo, CEO. "As the only photo energy modality with 11 peer-reviewed studies and unparalleled marketing support, we believe we are uniquely positioned to support HealthSouth's objectives of improving both clinical and business outcomes."

Anodyne Therapy technology is currently available nationwide at nearly 5,000 outpatient therapy facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, and home health agencies as part of a comprehensive program to improve functional outcomes for patients suffering from painful, circulatory conditions caused by diabetes and other chronic conditions. For more information, visit www.anodynetherapy.com.