The medical imaging space is one of the biggest industries in healthcare today. And many different types of companies-large and small, public and private, old and new, international and domestic-foster a marketplace that is quite diverse and very competitive.
With such a breadth of companies, we at Medical Imaging think that it’s important to recognize the best. And that’s just where our readers come into the equation. For the ninth year, we’ve asked our readers to rank whom they believe to be the cream of the crop in medical imaging vendors.
But this year, we changed the structure of the awards so that similar types of companies “competed” against one another. For example, we didn’t think it was suitable to have a small dealer/distributor go head to head with a giant manufacturer. Therefore, we broke down the players into three main categories:
- Manufacturers
- Accessories, Supplies, and Services
- Dealer/Distributor and Remanufacturer/Rebuilder
Each category was comprised of about 100 companies, and readers were asked to choose, in no particular order, the five best companies based on excellence in quality, price, training, service, and integration.
Voting was held on this website during the month of October, and we emailed almost 10,000 of our readers to alert them of the opportunity. Response was phenomenal: almost a 10% return. We couldn’t be happier!
Feedback from survey takers was excellent as well. For instance, Robert J. Connally of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Berkeley, Calif) noted, “It’s fun to finally get a word in about the industry.” Rick G. Barton of St Mary’s Medical Center (Evansville, Ind) echoed those sentiments: “Thank you for asking my opinion.”
Other readers used the survey as an opportunity to express their satisfaction with the publication-which we like to hear. For example, Scott Ancell of Mountain Medical Imaging (Murray, Utah) wrote, “I really enjoy reading Medical Imaging. It has the information that is helpful to us in learning more about the imaging industry and the future it holds.” Colin Hamid of GE Healthcare (Montgomery, Tex) noted, “I enjoy your articles, as they have become more informative and balanced.”
Of course, one reader had a bone to pick about vendor service, and his comments couldn’t go unmentioned. “I could give more thorough input if this was a ‘Worst of’ survey,” wrote Pat Gleason of Medical Imaging Engineering, Swedish Hospital (Seattle). “It seems like once we purchase equipment, the vendor could not care less about customer service. It’s as if the vendor’s attitude is: ‘We have you over a barrel now. We’ll deal with you whenever and however we feel like it.’ And we are the largest not-for-profit hospital in the Pacific Northwest! I can only imagine what the little guys have to put up with.”
This feedback has made the Medical Imaging Reader’s Choice Awards as popular as they are, so thank you. And now, without further ado, the winners are…
Manufacturers
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1) Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
(888) 826-9702 ? www.usa.siemens.com/medical ? #6 in 2003; #11 in 2002
One of the largest worldwide suppliers to the healthcare industry, Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pa) received 20.4% of the top 20 votes, giving the company an overwhelming command at the top spot. “We are honored to be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging,” says Thomas N. McCausland, president of the Customer Solutions Group at Siemens Medical. “Our goal is to provide innovative solutions that improve care and reduce costs, and this [win] is further confirmation from the market-our partners, our customers-that our solutions are making a difference.”
Founded in 1877, Siemens Medical employs 31,000 people worldwide. The company brings together medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical, and financial outcomes. To stand out from the competition with these offerings, McCausland says that Siemens is consistently first to market with new innovations, spends 10% of sales on research and development, and has received more patents than any other company. “We believe that when you effectively integrate imaging and IT solutions and take a synchronized, holistic approach,” he says, “the healthcare community can be changed for the better, delivering better care at lower costs and less risk to patient or clinician. In fact, our customers already are realizing the benefits of this approach with proven results.”
2) GE Healthcare
(800) 886-0815 ? www.gehealthcare.com ? #5 in 2003; #4 in 2002
A $14 billion unit of General Electric Co, GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wis) nabbed 11.6% of the top 20 votes to place second. To that, Srini Seshadri, chief marketing officer of GE Healthcare Technologies, says, “We are both humbled and proud to receive this validation. We strive very hard to exceed our customers’ expectations and to make a difference in people’s lives.”
The company provides transformational medical technologies in the hopes of shaping a new age of patient care. “Being recognized as a top manufacturer by the medical industry is a testament to its support of our strategic positioning for the future of personalized care,” Seshadri says. GE Healthcare offers expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, disease research, drug discovery and biopharmaceuticals, and more.
3) Eastman Kodak Co
(800) 328-2910 ? www.kodak.com/go/health ? #14 in 2003; #9 in 2002
Winning 10.2% of the top 20 votes landed Eastman Kodak Co (Rochester, NY) in the third spot-quite an improvement from 2003’s 14th place. “We admit we were disappointed with last year’s results,” says Dan Kerpelman, president of the Health Imaging Group and senior VP of Eastman Kodak Co. “But we’re happy with this year’s results, especially when compared to those in our league. We’re not a $13 billion medical company like some, but we’re not a small start-up company either. What we offer is our reputation of stability.”
Kodak’s Health Imaging Group develops, manufactures, and markets advanced medical imaging and information imaging products from digital to analog, including those to assist customers with interoperability. The company’s product portfolio is varied to include CR and DR systems, laser imagers, PACS, RIS, traditional mammography systems, and X-ray film systems for general radiography.
4) Philips Medical Systems
(978) 687-1501 ? www.medical.philips.com ? #8 in 2003; #6 in 2002
Philips Medical Systems (Andover, Mass) is nothing if not consistent, moving two placements for 3 consecutive years to reach fourth in this year’s awards, taking 7.7% of the top 20 votes. “Hard work and focus on the customers and patients pays off,” says Joe Robinson, VP of marketing. “People understand this [concept], and it’s beginning to resonate.”
A global leader in the medical device and diagnostic industry, Philips is committed to providing technology and services that enable healthcare providers to achieve clinical excellence. The company has offerings in many markets, including X-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, patient monitoring, and automated external defibrillator devices. “Six years ago, we embarked on a strategy of growth and expansion to create a full portfolio of imaging products,” Robinson says. “It’s been a long, exciting road, and we’re now seeing the positive impact of that strategy.”
5) Medrad Inc
(800) MEDRAD-1 ? www.medrad.com ? #2 in 2003; #3 in 2002
A consistent top scorer in the Readers’ Choice Awards, Medrad Inc (Indianola, Pa) garnered 5.3% of the top 20 votes. “Once again, it’s a privilege to be listed among some of the most respected companies in the industry,” says John P. Friel, president and CEO of Medrad. “We owe our top 10 listing to the employees of Medrad, who are relentlessly dedicated to improving patient care and satisfying our customers.” And this award isn’t the only one for Medrad, which was the 2003 recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
A leading provider of medical devices and services that enable and enhance imaging procedures in the human body, Medrad’s focus is on the customer. “Our business is built on understanding the needs of our customers and delivering the solutions to meet those needs,” Friel explains. “This [reader] survey is yet another valuable source of feedback on what we can do to exceed customer expectations.”
6) Agfa HealthCare
(201) 440-2500 ? www.agfa.com ? no placement in 2003; #19 in 2002
Agfa HealthCare (Ridgefield Park, NJ) made quite a leap in placement over the past 2 years, and the company is proud. “It means we’re going in the right direction,” says Ray Russell, the marketing manager of Radiology Solutions at Agfa. “It tells us that our new strategic direction is working and that the readers have recognized the inroads we’ve made to integrate imaging and information technology so that vital data can be exchanged efficiently, allowing physicians to make better informed decisions for their patients.” Russell adds that this year’s placement is a motivation to stay in the top 10 and, naturally, strive for first place.
With more than 100 years of experience in image science and one of the worldwide leaders in PACS, Agfa HealthCare supplies both analog and digital imaging solutions and a range of integrated diagnosis and communications systems. “Our experience in connectivity and software is evidenced with nearly 15 years of PACS installations,” Russell says. “Many vendors have entered and exited the PACS space, but only Agfa has been there since the beginning with an ongoing continuum of innovations. And our earliest customers are still with us.”
7) FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA
(800) 431-1850 ? www.fujimed.com ? #10 in 2003; #15 in 2002
As one of the Fuji Photo Film family of companies-with 70 years of imaging experience and more than $20 billion in sales-FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA (FMSU of Stamford, Conn) provides a host of diagnostic imaging products and systems, leading the company to seventh place in the awards, a steady increase from the past 2 years. “Fuji has consistently risen in Medical Imaging‘s readership rankings, as we have had a much broader footprint of products and services across the radiology department,” says Clayton Larsen, VP of marketing and network development at FMSU. “Our customers continue to tell us they see us as a major player in the industry because of the breadth and quality of products and services that we deliver.”
FMSU’s product offerings include PACS, digital X-ray, women’s imaging, dry imagers, and conventional X-ray film and equipment, all of which the company says feature clinically proven technology and other advantages in image quality. “Recognition by Medical Imaging‘s readers is affirmation that we’re achieving our goal,” Larsen says, “and doing our part to aid in the diagnostic process and improve quality of care.”
8) Hologic Inc
(800) 343-9729 ? www.hologic.com ? #18 in 2003; #20 in 2002
A leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of diagnostic and medical imaging systems dedicated to women’s healthcare, Hologic Inc (Bedford, Mass) made quite a leap in placement in this year’s awards. “We’re so proud,” says John Pekarsky, senior VP of North American sales and strategic accounts. “We look at where we are today in the medical imaging industry as opposed to where we came from 3 years ago. We’ve created a new culture and progressed in the way we wanted to. We’re also flattered, because we’re considering all of the great companies out there with whom we’re competing. To be in the top 10 is quite humbling.”
The company, which has an installed base of more than 11,000 mammography systems and 11,000 bone densitometers, has core businesses that are focused on breast cancer detection and treatment, osteoporosis assessment, direct capture X-ray detectors, and mini C-arms. But Pekarsky says that it’s about the people, too. “We have people who really want to work for us,” he says of Hologic, which has 735 employees worldwide. “We have market-leading products, we’re a smaller and more nimble company, and we have an entrepreneurial feel. We’re a company of real people.”
9) Siemens Display Technologies
(303) 664-5737 ? www.siemens.com/displays ? first time placing
It’s firsts all around with Siemens Display Technologies (Lafayette, Colo), which was on the ballot for the first time this year. “We are grateful,” says Reinhard Braeuer, marketing director for Siemens Display Technologies. “It is a great honor for us to have our efforts recognized by Medical Imaging‘s readers.”
The company, which has been developing diagnostic-grade display monitor products for more than 40 years, also offers display controllers and calibration software. “Image quality and its constancy over a long lifetime are the most critical parameters for displays in medical use,” Braeuer says. “We strive to achieve this image quality and then control it in as easy and user-friendly manner as possible.” The company’s line of 3- and 5-megapixel displays includes backlight technology that offers 100,000-hour lifetimes and fast start-up times.
10) Toshiba America Medical Systems
(800) 421-1968 ? www.medical.toshiba.com ? #19 in 2003; no placement in 2002
Coming in 10th place is the 35-year-old Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS of Tustin, Calif), which offers diagnostic imaging systems for all modalities, including CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, and nuclear medicine. From no placement in 2002 to a #19 spot in 2003, TAMS is thrilled with its 10th-place finish in 2004. “We must be doing something right!” exclaims Ed Lodgek, senior VP and general manager of TAMS. “Seriously, Toshiba has a tremendous employee base both here and in Japan that cares about our customers, the patients they serve, and the company for which we all work.”
Lodgek explains that TAMS has and continues to explore aggressive growth plans, and the company is succeeding with them. “That [success] tells me that there’s room in this market for a company like Toshiba,” he says. “I believe we offer the flexibility and attention to detail that our customers recognize and appreciate.” TAMS’ parent company, Toshiba Corp, is a $53 billion organization with 166,000 employees worldwide. And Lodgek only expects more. He says, “You’re going to see a company that is expanding its installed base and gaining market share.”
Accessories, Supplies, and Service
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1) Eastman Kodak Co
(800) 328-2910 ? www.kodak.com/go/health ? #14 in 2003; #9 in 2002
According to our readers, Kodak isn’t just a top manufacturer; the company also is a top provider of accessories, supplies, and service, which placed Kodak first in the category, scoring 13.7% of the top 20 votes. “We’re very proud of winning in the Medical Imaging Readers’ Choice Awards,” Kerpelman says. “We hope it’s reflective and correlative of the effort that we’ve put in.”
Kodak’s offerings from its Professional Services portfolio include workflow and change management techniques; data storage, backup, and recovery services; network design and implementation; help in regulation compliance for the privacy and security of patient records; and more. Other services include basic repair and maintenance to equipment integration from multiple vendors, secure email, and more. Plus, according to Kerpelman, the company has its ears open. “We give renaissance to that notion of listening,” he says. “We give a voice to our customers and try to be more integrated into our customers’ worlds.”
2) GE Healthcare
(800) 886-0815 ? www.gehealthcare.com ? #5 in 2003; #4 in 2002
By nabbing 13.1% of the top 20 votes, GE Healthcare is hot on the trail of the top spot in this category. “It’s exciting to see the growing momentum of the industry as it accelerates the vision of GE Healthcare as a world leader in diagnostics,” Seshadri says. He adds that GE Healthcare is “writing a new chapter in personalized healthcare” by integrating its diagnostic imaging technology with its new biosciences capabilities, the latter of which came through the recent acquisition of Amersham Health. The company now employs more than 42,500 people in 100-plus countries.
“At GE Healthcare, we’re very conscious of our responsibility to lead through constant innovation, a focus on quality, and a sense of partnership with our customers in defeating the diseases that afflict people worldwide,” Seshadri says. The company offers a range of services to improve productivity in healthcare and enable healthcare providers to better diagnose, treat, and manage patients with such conditions as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular diseases.
3) Philips Medical Systems
(978) 687-1501 ? www.medical.philips.com ? #8 in 2003; #6 in 2002
Philips took 9.4% of the top 20 votes, giving the company a third-place finish this year. “Philips is excited and honored to be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging,” Robinson says. “Clearly, the recognition is an indication that our strategy of growth through acquisition and integration of market-leading companies into one Philips is seen as a positive by our customers and the marketplace.”
The Medical Systems division of Philips is represented in more than 60 countries and employs 22,000-plus people. Service offerings include information management, healthcare IT, consulting, asset management, training and education, financial, and more. “We also work closely with customers and patients to better understand their healthcare,” Robinson says, “and then improve upon it.”
4) Cardinal Health
(800) 234-8701 ? www.cardinal.com ? first time placing
A leading provider of products and services for the healthcare industry, Cardinal Health (Dublin, Ohio) is enjoying its first placement in the Medical Imaging Readers’ Choice Awards, winning 6.1% of the top 20 votes. The $50 billion company, which employs more than 50,000 people on five continents, isn’t just a winner with our magazine-Cardinal Health is ranked 17th on the current Fortune 500 list and was named one of the best US companies by Forbes magazine for 2004.
Some of Cardinal Health’s business activities include developing, manufacturing, packaging, and marketing products for patient care; developing drug-delivery technologies; distributing pharmaceuticals, medical, surgical, and laboratory supplies; and offering consulting and other services to improve quality and efficiency in healthcare.
5) Medrad Inc
(800) MEDRAD-1 ? www.medrad.com ? #2 in 2003; #3 in 2002
Medrad must be doing something right-and our readers have noticed, sending 5.7% of the top 20 votes to the company. Plus, Medrad’s revenues have doubled in the past 5 years, bringing its total revenues in 2003 to $294 million. “We believe we have to earn our customers’ business every day,” Friel says, noting that the company’s field organization consists of sales, equipment service, and applications professionals. “Ninety-nine percent of our North American customers would recommend Medrad to others, and that is due in large part to the trust earned by these incredible teams.”
The company focuses a large amount of its efforts on customers being happy, something that Friel thinks is absolutely essential in business today. “We devote significant resources to tracking customer satisfaction on a monthly basis,” he says. “This enables us to identify areas for improvement early and then act on them.”
6) DMS Health Group
(800) 437-4628 ? www.dmshg.com ? first time placing
Don’t let the 1996 Coen brothers film Fargo fool you. Big things are happening in North Dakota. Just ask 30-year-old DMS Health Group (Fargo, ND), which placed sixth the first time the company was listed on the ballot. “One of the long-term goals we set for the DMS Health Group was to be able to compete on a national level,” says CEO Wayne L. Sanders. “Given the depth and breadth of our organization, we felt it was only a matter of time. To receive this kind of recognition from our peers and customers is extremely rewarding.”
The company’s offerings include solutions in imaging and patient monitoring, equipment services, mobile services, interim/ rental systems, fixed-site imaging, and portable imaging. When it comes to competition in these areas, Sanders believes it comes down to the quality of its employees and their values. “Every company has resources in money, equipment, and technology,” he notes. “The tiebreaker is our people and the quality of service that we provide. As our company continues to grow, we strive to make sure our small-company focus on customers follows our growth to a national player.”
7) FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA
(800) 431-1850 ? www.fujimed.com ? #10 in 2003; #15 in 2002
FMSU offers a host of services to the imaging space, and our readers have taken notice, giving the company a seventh-place finish. “All of our products and services are designed to increase the quality and efficiency of the radiology process for caregivers and patients alike,” Larsen says.
The company’s family of services includes integration, professional, and technical support services, all of which are designed to provide customers with the support needed to build and maintain confidence behind FMSU’s products, and the company is consistently striving for betterment. “We have a very strong commitment to both quality products and technologic innovation,” Larsen notes. “We’re always reviewing customer feedback and investing in R&D to maximize the quality and productivity of our systems. No one else in the industry can demonstrate the same tradition of innovation.”
8) Codonics Inc (tie)
(440) 243-1198 ? www.codonics.com ? first time placing
Congratulations are in order for Codonics Inc (Middleburg Heights, Ohio), a first-timer to the awards and already a top 10 finisher. “Being selected for a Readers’ Choice Award for the first time is certainly an encouragement to Codonics’ entire team to continue to develop our products, services, and support in order to earn this honorable distinction in the years to come,” says Tim Jablonski, VP of marketing at Codonics, a company best known for its Horizon medical imager that prints film, color paper, and grayscale paper.
The company, which has 25,000 installations of multimedia imagers worldwide, maintains the goal of providing the medical imaging industry with faster, more versatile, and economical imaging solutions. Codonics also strives to provide quick and personalized service and support-within 24 hours, in fact, the company will provide a replacement unit. “Being selected as one of the top companies by Medical Imaging‘s readers is testimony to the work ethic of Codonics’ staff,” Jablonski adds. “I have never seen such a hardworking, committed group of people who make it fun to excel.”
8) Varian Medical Systems (tie)
(650) 493-4000 ? www.varian.com ? #1 in 2003; #7 in 2002
Although the company is a consistent top finisher in the Readers’ Choice Awards, Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, Calif) is not taking any wins for granted. “It’s always nice to have one’s efforts validated, but we’ll never rest on our laurels,” says Kolleen Kennedy, VP of marketing and engineering at Varian. “We know that we have to satisfy our customers every day, with every product, and with each instance of customer ‘touch.’ We are happy to know that people valued our efforts in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Now we have to make it happen in 2005.”
Varian, a noted manufacturer of integrated cancer therapy systems, is a leading provider of information management and cancer treatment planning software as well as other ancillary devices, software, and services. “We have invested a lot in our customer support operation and put some of our best people to work with continuous improvement initiatives so that we can respond to customers’ needs quickly and effectively,” Kennedy says. “Many of our customers read Medical Imaging, and I hope this means our efforts in this area have been noticed.”
9) DITEC Inc
(440) 519-1555 ? www.ditecnet.com ? first time placing
A provider of medical equipment service, management training, and support services, DITEC Inc (Solon, Ohio) is thrilled with its first nomination and win in the Readers’ Choice Awards. “We are very pleased!” says DITEC President Manny Roman, CRES. “We have a commitment to quality in all that we do. And we’re glad that the industry recognizes quality when it sees it.”
The curriculum at DITEC comprises basic, advanced, and specific product courses in biomedical, diagnostic imaging, clinical laboratory, networking, PACS, and DICOM-all of which is approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools. Every DITEC instructor is a certified radiology equipment specialist (CRES) by the International Certification Commission. These approvals and certifications are, Roman believes, a testament to the company’s excellence. “Our instructors have a combined experience of a couple-hundred years. Plus, we make sure our students are capable of doing what we say they can do,” he notes. “After all, they carry our reputation wherever they go.”
10) Fluke Biomedical Corp
(800) 648-7952 ? www.flukebiomedical.com ? first time placing
As the saying goes, there’s a first time for everything. And Fluke Biomedical Corp (Carson City, Nev) is proving that with its first nomination and top 10 placement in the awards. “It’s a surprise,” admits Fluke Biomedical President Eric Perron. “But we feel very good about it.” Now in its 50th year, Fluke Biomedical has become a leading provider of biomedical test and simulation products.
The ISO 9001-certified company follows the “integrated systems” approach to biomedical engineering, saving customers hours of manual effort. “We focus on quality, development, value, and innovation,” Perron says, which he believes are the attributes that help Fluke stand out from the competition. “And we are committed to customer satisfaction.”
Dealer/Distributor, Remanufacturer/Rebuilder
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1) Varian Medical Systems / Interay
(800) INTERAY ? www.varian.com ? first time placing
Robert Hibdon, VP and general manager of Varian Medical Systems / Interay (North Charleston, SC), is delighted with the company’s first nomination and win, scoring 8.7% of the top 20 votes. “We are certainly proud of the recognition, and we are equally proud of the people we have and the work we’ve done that has led to this recognition,” he says. However, Hibdon is not letting the win go to his head. “While it is gratifying to earn the recognition of Medical Imaging‘s readers, the most important mission for Varian / Interay is to provide quality products with outstanding service to readers and customers worldwide,” he says. “The reader recognition indicates that we are enjoying some success in our mission, but each day brings us new challenges and another chance to earn the respect of Medical Imaging‘s readership.”
The Interay division of Varian Medical Systems’ X-Ray Products group provides speedy replacement of medical X-ray tubes primarily to third-party service, multi-vendor service, and small OEMs worldwide. The company specializes in developing lower cost replacement units for major OEM equipment as well as provides an inventory of ready-to-ship standard products developed for medical systems manufacturers. “We all realize that we develop, manufacture, and sell more than just a machine,” Hibdon adds. “It’s a part of a system enabling people to live longer, higher quality lives.”
2) DMS Health Group
(800) 437-4628 ? www.dmshg.com ? first time placing
It’s always refreshing when companies complete a project, delivery, installation, and service on time and when the contract specified. Or, as Sanders puts it, “We keep our say/do ratio 1:1.” Perhaps that’s why readers voted DMS Health Group into second place with 7.9% of the top 20 votes. “That theory holds true with both our internal and external customers,” he says. “Our commitment to each other internally as associates and the follow-through with that commitment is as important as the commitments we make to our external customers.”
Members of the DMS Health Group include DMS Health Technologies, DMS Imaging, DMS Interim Solutions, and DMS MedSource Partners. With operations in Minneapolis, Houston, Sioux Falls (SD), the company provides healthcare solutions throughout the United States. And although Sanders is thrilled with this first victory for the company, his sights are set on the years to come. “We are honored to have the recognition this year, but our goal is to strive for this recognition year after year,” he says. “It is the repeat performance that will solidify our presence in the marketplace.”
3) ReMedPar
(800) 624-3994 ? www.remedpar.com ? first time placing
For more than 17 years, ReMedPar (Goodlettsville, Tenn) has been recognized as one of the largest independent suppliers of multi-vendor support services for medical imaging equipment-but it’s the first time for the company on the ballot and a third-place finish, reaping 7.6% of the top 20 votes. Congratulations are definitely in order. “All of us at ReMedPar would like to thank the voters for this award,” says Wanda Legate, VP of customer relations at ReMedPar. “Over the past year, we have placed a strong emphasis on reaching our business partners and creating brand recognition. The award validates our efforts, and we hope to be recognized in the years to come.”
Also, ReMedPar, which consists of about 50 employees, was named as a 2004 Music City Future 50 Company by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the 50 fastest-growing, privately owned companies in the area. ReMedPar offers replacement parts, training, and technical support as well as purchasing and selling medical imaging equipment. Clients consist of asset management programs, clinical engineers, ISOs, OEMs, and maintenance insurance companies.
4) Dunlee, a division of Philips Medical Systems
(630) 585-2100 ? www.dunlee.com ? first time placing
A leading manufacturer of OEM and replacement CT, cardiovascular, and X-ray tubes, Dunlee (Aurora, Ill) is enjoying the sweet smell of success: first time on the ballot and a fourth-place finish, garnering 6.9% of the top 20 votes. “We consider this recognition to be a huge honor,” says David M. Kuehn, VP of marketing and sales at Dunlee. “It shows that we’re taking good care of our customers and are a valued part of the industry.”
As a division of Philips Medical Systems, Dunlee has a combined 160 years of experience in building X-ray tubes. In addition, the company offers a range of imaging components, including image intensifiers, camera systems, and collimation devices. “We are developing products much faster than our competitors. In some cases, our competitors are just coming out with products that we’ve had for 7 years,” Kuehn notes. “That speed in delivery means a greater savings for the customer, since we’re helping to reduce the product life-cycle cost.”
5) Del Medical Systems Group
(847) 288-7000 ? www.delmedical.com ? first time placing
Honored by its first nomination and win in the Readers’ Choice Awards, Del Medical Systems Group (Franklin Park, Ill) is very pleased with the recognition. “We’ve worked very hard to put the best value for the dollar in imaging,” says Del Medical CEO Walt Schneider. “Winning shows that what we’ve been doing must’ve been noticed, and our hard work is being recognized.”
Also a noted manufacturer, the company sells its medical imaging and diagnostic systems via a network of more than 200 independent distributors worldwide. Those distributors are supported by Del Medical’s regional managers, product line managers, and technical support groups, all of which train distributor sales personnel as well as service staff. Schneider says it’s these processes that help the company stand out from the competition. “The customer is very important to us,” he says. “Many dealers and distributors are in the marketplace, so we must do something to separate Del Medical. We stand behind the products after they’ve been sold, and we provide the best value.”
6) Radiology OneSource
(615) 776-3747 ? www.radiologyonesource.com ? first time placing
A global provider of preowned and refurbished medical diagnostic imaging equipment, 7-year-old Radiology OneSource (Nolensville, Tenn) is delighted with its first win in the awards. “It is an absolute honor,” says Radiology OneSource President Debbie van der Touw. “To be recognized in a positive way by the people we serve is one of the greatest honors we can receive.”
In addition to buying and selling preowned equipment, the company provides related services in evaluation, deinstallation, and logistics. Also, Radiology OneSource is the exclusive distributor of IAE X-ray tubes in North America. “We have tried to uniquely position ourselves to serve our customers’ needs with reliability, fair pricing, and a sincere interest in providing solutions,” van der Touw notes. “We clearly understand that our customers are the reason we continue from year to year, and it is because of their loyalty and referrals that we are able to expand our services to fit their changing needs.”
7) Fischer Imaging Corp
(800) 825-8434 ? www.fischerimaging.com ? first time placing
A leading manufacturer and distributor of digital breast imaging systems, Fischer Imaging (Denver) is happy to be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging for the first time. Perhaps readers did so because of Fischer’s recent expansion of its distribution channel by entering into strategic alliances with both Virtual Imaging and Philips Medical Systems-in addition to its OEM partners of GE Healthcare, Picker, Xerox, Varian Medical Systems, Medstone, Dornier, and more. Or perhaps it’s the company’s client list, which includes some of the most highly regarded radiologists, surgeons, and healthcare institutions in the world.
Founded in 1910, Fischer offers robust Group Purchasing Organization coverage. The company also maintains its focus on women’s health, particularly through the diagnosis and screening of breast cancer through digital imaging, including slot-scanning imaging, which delivers high diagnostic resolution with a reduction in radiation exposure.
8) Bulbtronics Inc
(631) 249-2272 ? www.bulbtronics.com ? first time placing
A leading distributor of lamps, batteries, ballasts, sockets, and fuses for all medical equipment and instrumentation, Bulbtronics Inc (Farmingdale, NY) is happy with the reader recognition. “We are gratified that Bulbtronics has such a high recognition level in the imaging marketplace,” says Bruce R. Thaw, president and CEO of the company. “For us, it means we have satisfied customers who think highly of our service and the quality of the products we distribute.”
Bulbtronics, which has 30,000 line items in four stocking locations from more than 150 manufacturers, offers halogen, fluorescent, incandescent, mercury, UV, and more from all brand name manufacturers, including GE and Philips. “We go that extra mile for customers,” Thaw says, “by providing multiple locations across the United States, a technically proficient sales staff to quickly identify the right product for the application, and an extensive database that is available online.”
9) Specialty Bulb Co
(631) 589-3393 ? www.bulbspecialists.com ? first time placing
“In our 20 years in business, we have earned a reputation for providing competitive prices, dependable service, and quality products,” says Judith Beja, president of Specialty Bulb Co (Bohemia, NY). These reasons, and probably more, are why readers voted the company to ninth place the first time it was on the ballot. “To be recognized in this way only strengthens our desire to bring to the medical industry dependable service and competitive pricing for all light bulb needs,” Beja says.
As an international distributor of bulbs for every application and industry, Specialty Bulb represents more than 40 bulb manufacturers and has an extensive inventory of medical, diagnostic, and X-ray bulbs. Founded in 1984, the company has grown to a staff of 15, a 12,000-sq-ft warehouse, and nearly 16,000 customers worldwide.
10) eMed Technologies
(781) 862-0000 ? www.emed.com ? first time placing
A first to the Readers’ Choice Awards, eMed Technologies (Burlington, Mass) attributes its top 10 finish to a simple but very important concept: focusing on what it does best. “We have been successful in this rapidly moving, high-tech marketplace by focusing on our core strengths and by continuing to deliver economical, comprehensive solutions to the healthcare market,” says David Mahoney, VP of sales at eMed.
The main offerings from eMed include PACS components to capture, distribute, display, and store medical images; RIS integration; scheduling and office workflow; Web-enabled imaging and report distribution; and Web site development.
Congratulations!
As a special thanks for participating in the 2004 Readers’ Choice Awards, we held a random drawing of everyone who voted and included their contact information. Three lucky voters each received a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com as well as a special mention on our Web site. Congratulations again to:
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Andi Lucas is editor of Medical Imaging.
