MINNEAPOLIS, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- AGA Medical Corporation, the University of Minnesota Medical School and the Minnesota Medical Foundation announced today that they have agreed to establish the Amplatz Chair in Radiology, a permanently endowed chair at the University of Minnesota Medical School. AGA Medical has made a donation of $2 million for the initial funding of the chair. The Amplatz Chair in Radiology recognizes and honors the achievements of Kurt Amplatz, M.D., a pioneer in the field of interventional radiology and pediatric cardiology, professor of radiology at the University of Minnesota and cofounder of AGA Medical.
As a result of the many contributions and creative genius of Dr. Kurt Amplatz, AGA Medical has developed and commercializes a series of devices that have revolutionized the treatment of the most common congenital holes in the heart. Dr. Amplatz, a prolific inventor, is an interventional radiologist. He retired in 1999 from the University of Minnesota after a long and distinguished career as the Malcolm B. Hanson Research Professor of Diagnostic Radiology. His inventions include many of what have become the basic tools of interventional radiology, including several guide wires, renal dilators and sheaths, thrombectomy devices, gooseneck snares and vena cava filters. Perhaps his most famous invention is the AMPLATZER(R) septal occluder. Dr. Amplatz was awarded the Society of Interventional Radiology's Gold Medal in 1996 in recognition of his many contributions to the field. His CV lists more than 20 pages of presentations at scientific meetings and more than 700 journal articles, books and abstracts.
"AGA Medical Corporation is pleased to make this donation in honor of Dr. Amplatz. Kurt has had a truly profound impact on the fields of interventional radiology and interventional pediatric cardiology," said Franck Gougeon, CEO of AGA Medical Corporation. "All of us in the Company are pleased that we are able to make this contribution and have the privilege of working side by side with Dr. Amplatz on a daily basis."
The Amplatz Chair in Radiology is intended to attract and retain outstanding faculty in the field of radiology. The recipient of the Amplatz Chair will be appointed by the dean of the Medical School in consultation with the chair of the Department of Radiology.
"By establishing this chair, AGA Medical is not only honoring a world- class physician, but also elevating the Medical School and the entire University community," said Deborah E. Powell, M.D., dean of the Medical School. "The faculty who hold endowed chairs attract other passionate scholars. They ignite their students' curiosity. Their groundbreaking discoveries turn the world's attention to Minnesota, bring in major research grants, and create jobs in the University and in the private sector."
ABOUT AGA MEDICAL: AGA Medical Corporation, based in Golden Valley, Minnesota (just outside Minneapolis) is the leader in developing interventional devices to treat structural heart defects. As a result of the many contributions and creative genius of Dr. Kurt Amplatz, the Company has developed and commercializes a series of devices that have revolutionized the treatment of the most common congenital "holes in the heart" such as atrial septal and patent foramen ovale defects. Over 500 articles have been published in peer-reviewed medical publications that support the benefits of AGA Medical devices including improved patient outcomes, reduced length of stay and accelerated recovery times for the patient. AGA Medical devices have received regulatory approval and are marketed in over 90 countries with over 150,000 devices shipped to date. For more information, visit http://www.amplatzer.com.
ABOUT THE MINNESOTA MEDICAL FOUNDATION: Founded in 1939, the Minnesota Medical Foundation raises millions of dollars annually for health-related education and research at the University of Minnesota, with gifts supporting faculty positions, scholarships, academic programs, equipment purchases, and research. To learn more, please visit http://www.mmf.umn.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT: Elie Jacobs Brunswick Group LLC 212-333-3810 ejacobs@brunswickgroup.com
AGA Medical CorporationCONTACT: Elie Jacobs, Brunswick Group LLC, +1-212-333-3810, orejacobs@brunswickgroup.com
