Orthopedics, Community initiative in Kosciusko County Moving Forward
Warsaw, IN, February 25, 2010 – OrthoWorx, the newly formed industry, community and education initiative to advance and support the orthopedics device sector in Kosciusko County, has named Cheryl R. Blanchard, PhD as the organization’s Chairperson of the Board.
Dr. Blanchard is the Chief Scientific Officer and a Senior Vice President at Zimmer. She is a resident of Warsaw and has worked at Zimmer since 2000.
“OrthoWorx has put together a roadmap that will bring Warsaw’s community and industry together to put the best strategic opportunities into action,” said Dr. Blanchard. “Our effort is gaining traction — board level leadership has been identified for each of the defined OrthoWorx initiatives and focused working groups are being assembled with the goal of achieving early and measurable progress. I’ve been engaged in this effort since the beginning and look forward to helping drive these projects.”
“Cheryl’s passion and enthusiasm for our community and her background in the orthopedics industry make her an ideal person to lead the OrthoWorx Board,” said Toby Buck, chairman and CEO of Paragon Medical and an OrthoWorx board member. “Our Board has been very engaged in the establishment of the organization, and will continue to provide leadership to help advance the OrthoWorx initiative towards achieving the goals that we have defined.”
In addition, the $7 million grant, made by Lilly Endowment Inc. to Kosciusko County Community Foundation to support the establishment of OrthoWorx, was strengthened this month with the addition of membership dues from local companies and organizations. The organization has successfully secured more than $120,000 in additional funding.
“Cheryl’s willingness to serve as the Board chair and the commitment of financial resources from our member companies is representative of OrthoWorx’s acceleration, fueled by a broad base of support, that will advance the orthopedics sector and the Warsaw community,” said Jon Serbousek, President of Biomet Orthopedics and an OrthoWorx board member.
OrthoWorx’s board is actively engaged in the process to name the organization’s executive leadership and an announcement is anticipated this Spring 2010.
About OrthoWorx
OrthoWorx is a Warsaw-based, industry, community and education initiative established to advance and support growth and innovation within the region’s uniquely concentrated, globally significant orthopedics device sector. Founded in 2009, the initiative will engage and enhance the broader community interests that both serve and depend upon the sector’s continued growth by targeting an integrated set of educational, workforce, cultural, communication, branding, logistical and entrepreneurial efforts.