Last Call for Medical Main Street 'Inno-Vator of the Year' Nominations
WATERFORD TWP. (WWJ) -- Oakland County's Medical Main Street is extending the nomination period for an extra week as it seeks the 2013 "Inno-Vator of the Year," an award that honors the creators of a medical device demonstrating the most dramatic change in the medical device industry in Michigan.
The award will be given on Nov. 7 during Inno-Vention 2013, a Medical Main Street Conference in Troy. The deadline to submit an entry is Sept. 30.
Forms and conference registration information can be found at www.MedicalMainStreet.org.
"Michigan conducts some of the most advanced research and development in the medical device industry," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "Medical Main Street is looking to recognize and honor the individuals who are saving lives and improving the quality of life for countless patients with their Michigan-made innovations."
To be considered for the award, the device must have been developed in Michigan, achieved prototype development and validation, and incorporate a game-changing innovation.
In 2012, two companies were named co-winners of the inaugural Inno-Vator of the Year: Sentio, a Southfield company that created the SentioMMG, a neuro-diagnostic device that monitors and tests nerve function, alerting surgeons when nerves are at risk during surgery; and Ablative Solutions Inc., a Kalamazoo company that created a catheter that damages nerve fibers that pass from the brain to the kidney. The damaged nerves send fewer signals to a sick patient, which lowers blood pressure and treats hypertension. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and is less painful for the patient.
Inno-Vention 2013, set for Nov. 6-8 at the Troy Marriott Hotel, focuses on how information technology is fueling changes in health care and its impact on the next generation of medical devices. The conference, with the Medical Main Street Network, builds valuable relationships and productive collaborations in the Southeast Michigan region and globally.
Inno-Vention 2012, the inaugural Medical Main Street conference, was attended by more than 400 health professionals, clinicians, investors and suppliers. A global audience of more than 1,000 people viewed the conference live stream on Detroit Public Television while another 57,000 people were reached through social media in the United States and internationally in Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Norway, Germany, Panama and Canada.
In 2008, Patterson created Medical Main Street with the area's leaders in health care, research and development, education and industry. The board includes the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Beaumont Health System, Beckman Coulter Molecular Diagnostics, Crittenton Hospital, Ferndale Laboratories, DMC-Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, Henry Ford Health Systems, Housey Pharmaceuticals, McLaren Health Care - Oakland, MichBio, State Rep. Gail Haines, R-Waterford, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, Oxus Inc., Rockwell Medical Technologies, St. John Providence Health System and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland.
For more information on how to get involved or to register for Inno-Vention 2013, visit www.MedicalMainStreet.org.
