(WARSAW, IN) August 25, 2005—The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and Zimmer awarded Reginald R. Cooper, MD, the Fourth Annual AOA-Zimmer Award for Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics at the 118th Annual AOA Meeting in Huntington Beach, CA.
The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding leaders in orthopaedic surgery whose work results in sustained and substantial contributions and leadership through clinical, educational, research or other meritorious means. The $50,000 award was presented to Dr. Cooper because of his role in enhancing and shaping the specialty.
"I would like to thank the AOA and the selection committee for this prestigious honor. This award ranks among the top tier of all honors that I have received throughout my career," said Cooper. "To be selected by a group of peers for career lifetime achievement has great meaning."
Cooper served as chairman of orthopaedics at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, for 26 years until 1999. He was president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Orthopaedic Research Society, and served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. He received the Kappa Delta Award for outstanding orthopaedic research.
"We are pleased to join the AOA in honoring Dr. Cooper for his tremendous record of achievement," said Ray Elliott, Zimmer Chairman, President and CEO. "Through such awards, we hope to continue to encourage those who contribute to the science and practice of orthopaedics."
The AOA is currently seeking nominations for the 5th Annual AOA-Zimmer Award for Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics, which will be presented at the 119th Annual Meeting in June, 2006. Nominations for the $50,000 award must be received at AOA headquarters by December 15, 2005. Nomination material can be found online at www.aoassn.org or by calling AOA Headquarters at 847.318.7330.
About the AOA
The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), founded in 1887, is the oldest national orthopaedic association in the world. The AOA's mission is to identify, develop, engage and recognize leadership to further the art and science of orthopaedics. For more information, visit www.aoassn.org or call 847.318.7350.
About Zimmer
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer Holdings Inc. (NYSE and SWX: ZMH) is the worldwide #1 pure-play orthopaedic leader in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing reconstructive and spinal implants, trauma and related orthopaedic surgical products. Zimmer has partnered with the AOA to recognize broad contributions to orthopaedics. The award includes a $50,000 unrestricted grant. Zimmer plays no role in the selection process and has no control over the use of the funds granted.
Stephanie Mercado
The American Orthopaedic Association
847.318.7350
[email protected]
Brad Bishop
Zimmer
574.372.4291
[email protected]