BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Aug. 23, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- CORPAK MedSystems, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of medical devices for the enteral feeding and bedside-technology markets, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey Blair to the position of chief executive officer.
Mr. Blair brings 40 years of healthcare management experience to CORPAK. He served most recently as the chairman and chief executive officer of North American Science Associates, Inc., a contract research organization that provides medical device testing and consulting services to a global client base of medical device manufacturers. Previously, Mr. Blair was senior vice president and chief operating officer of Graphic Controls, Corp., a developer and manufacturer of medical and industrial disposables. Mr. Blair began his healthcare career at American Hospital Supply and Baxter International where he helped build the hospital supply division into a $2 billion business. Mr. Blair received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Hanover College and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance and management from Indiana University.
“We are excited to welcome Jeff to the CORPAK team and are confident that he will have an immediate and meaningful impact, building on CORPAK’s excellent performance over the past three years,” commented Eric Larson and Brian Miller, managing partners of Linden LLC and members of CORPAK’s board of directors. “Jeff’s experience in the medical device industry and his track record of significant sales growth will be tremendous assets as CORPAK executes its plan to expand adoption of the CORTRAK technology for placement of enteral feeding tubes. Jeff will also focus on realizing CORPAK’s goals to expand its reach and product offerings through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.”
“I’m particularly excited to join CORPAK and continue its impressive rollout of the CORTRAK enteral-access system, which improves clinical outcomes and lowers costs in the intensive care unit allowing hospitals to reduce medical errors and meet the health outcome and cost-saving goals of health reform,” commented Jeffrey Blair, incoming chief executive officer of CORPAK. “CORTRAK’s innovative computer-guided technology lets clinicians visualize the precise location of the enteral feeding-tube tip during placement for greater safety, speed, and accuracy. This helps reduce complications from placement misses and eliminates the repeated X-ray exposure that is often required by traditional ‘blind’ placement methods. It has been a tremendous success for patients and hospitals, and is a wonderful growth platform for the company.”
In addition to the substantial clinical benefits of reducing complications from ill-placed feeding-tubes and eliminating unnecessary exposure to X-rays, several independent studies have demonstrated significant cost savings from the implementation of the FDA-cleared CORTRAK enteral-access system. For example, the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, reported saving $137,655 over 11 months when it began using the CORTRAK system during the feeding-tube placement procedure instead of using X-ray to confirm the location of the feeding-tube tip.
Tom Kuhn, who served as chief executive officer of CORPAK until Mr. Blair’s appointment, will continue to leverage his 25 years of medical device experience as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Mr. Kuhn will oversee CORPAK’s day-to-day operations and will also focus on business development.
About CORPAK MedSystems, Inc. (www.corpakmedsystems.com)
CORPAK MedSystems, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of innovative medical devices focused on the enteral-feeding and bedside-technology markets, including the company’s flagship CORTRAK computer-guided system that enables real-time visualization of the feeding-tube tip during placement. The company has established the leading market position in premium branded, adult, long-term nasogastric (“NG”) feeding tubes and offers a broad portfolio of other high-quality enteral products, including gastrostomy feeding tubes, gastric-relief devices, and enteral-feeding safety devices. Founded in 1979, CORPAK was acquired by Linden LLC in August 2008 from Cardinal Health. The company has recently moved to a new state-of-the-art facility just north of Chicago in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
About Linden LLC (www.lindenllc.com)
Linden is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused exclusively on leveraged buyouts in the healthcare and life science industries. Linden’s strategy is based upon three elements: i) healthcare and life science industry specialization, ii) integrated private equity and operating expertise, and iii) strategic relationships with large corporations. Linden’s portfolio includes BarrierSafe Solutions International, Behavioral Centers of America, CORPAK MedSystems, Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, HYCOR Biomedical, Ranir, and Strata Pathology Services.
Contact: Caroline Grossman - 781.771.5579 - caroline.grossman@gmail.com
SOURCE CORPAK MedSystems, Inc.
