Program provides innovative education opportunity for orthopaedic surgeons anywhere in the world
WARSAW, Ind., Feb 24, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) on March 22, 2003, will broadcast over the Internet a live minimally invasive hip replacement surgery with interactive commentary from faculty surgeons. The program is part of an ongoing Zimmer effort to provide convenient, innovative educational opportunities to orthopaedic surgeons worldwide.
It is the second time Zimmer has used the latest Webcast technology to provide such a global educational program for surgeons. This broadcast will feature Zimmer's Minimally Invasive Solutions(TM) (MIS) Mini-Incision Total Hip Arthroplasty procedure. Dr. Mark Hartzband, M.D., Attending Physician, Department of Orthopaedics, Director, Total Joint Replacement Service, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, will perform the surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack. Dr. Richard A. Berger, M.D., Assistant Professor, Rush University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chicago, and Dr. Aaron G. Rosenberg, M.D., Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, will moderate the Webcast event.
By registering with their local Zimmer sales representative, surgeons can view the procedure wherever they have high speed Internet access capability. Participating surgeons will view the live surgery of a VerSys(R) Hip System Fiber Metal Taper implant using the Zimmer posterolateral single incision procedure. The program enables viewing surgeons to submit questions through E- mail to the surgeon faculty members. Following the 60-minute Webcast, six sites have been established where attending surgeons at these locations can continue their educational experience by participating in a hands-on sawbones workshop of the procedure. Locations include Birmingham, Alabama; Hartford, Connecticut; Indianapolis, Indiana; Nashville, Tennessee; Tampa, Florida; and Tucson, Arizona. The bioskills sessions will be conducted by regional surgeon moderators at each location.
The Webcast program will be archived for future reference by other surgeons. Zimmer also plans to post an edited version of the program for general viewing on the www.zimmer.com and the www.pacewithlife.com web sites.
"Zimmer is committed to help orthopaedic surgeons enhance their skills so that they can have confidence in providing the best orthopaedic care possible for their patients," said Ray Elliott, Zimmer Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This program is an example of the creative ways we will continue to offer knowledge transfer opportunities that are effective yet highly convenient for surgeons. Zimmer is placing special emphasis on education programs focused on MIS procedures. We believe these procedures offer many potential benefits for patients, and we are dedicated to helping surgeons worldwide bring these benefits to their patients."
Zimmer has four additional Webcast surgeon education programs scheduled for 2003.
Zimmer, based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a global leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and fracture management products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Fracture management products are devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body's natural healing process. Zimmer also manufactures and markets other products related to orthopaedic and general surgery. For the year 2002, Zimmer recorded worldwide revenues of approximately $1.4 billion. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,600 employees worldwide.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward- looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, price and product competition, rapid technological development, demographic changes, dependence on new product development, the mix of our products and services, customer demand for our products and services, our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies, control of costs and expenses, our ability to form and implement alliances, international growth, U.S. and foreign government regulation, reimbursement levels from third-party payors, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by Zimmer with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zimmer disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
Media, Brad Bishop, +1-574-372-4291, [email protected],
or Investors, Sam Leno, +1-574-372-4790, [email protected], both of Zimmer
Holdings, Inc.
http://www.zimmer.com
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