When purchasing equipment, software, and services in the medical-imaging arena, healthcare providers have a wealth of vendor choices. In fact, the imaging space offers so many vendor options that it can be difficult for buyers to make quick selections. To help make the decision-making process easier, we at Medical Imaging conduct our Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, where our readers?buyers just like you?rank vendors based on excellence in quality, price, training, service, and integration.
Now in its 10th year, the Medical Imaging Readers’ Choice Awards is more popular than ever. In fact, many buyers say they base their decisions on these results. Vendors also appreciate and highly anticipate the results, using them as a yardstick to measure their own performance and progress?and compare it to the competition.
For the second year in a row, we broke the industry players into three categories:
- Manufacturer (126 companies listed on the ballot);
- Accessories, Supplies, and Service (92 companies listed); and
- Dealer/Distributor and Remanufacturer/ Rebuilder (62 companies listed).
We also gave voters space to submit their own nominations. Some of the top “write-ins” for the Manufacturer category were McKesson Provider Technologies (Alpharetta, Ga), NovaRad Corp (American Fork, Utah), Omega Medical Imaging Inc (Sanford, Fla), and Vital Images Inc (Minnetonka, Minn). Medweb (San Francisco) was nominated quite a bit as well. Says reader Laurence Gutheil of Los Gatos, Calif, “Medweb is a company that I think deserves your attention for saving lives in the War Zone and creating terrific applications in medical imaging.”
In the Accessories, Supplies, and Service category, top write-ins include Alliance Imaging Inc (Anaheim, Calif), InfiMed Inc (Liverpool, NY), and Merry X-Ray Corp (Tulsa, Okla). And in the category of Dealer/ Distributor and Remanufacturer/Rebuilder, top nominations include Huestis Medical (Bristol, RI), Owens & Minor Inc (Glen Allen, Va), and PartsSource (Twinsburg, Ohio). All of these companies, as well as any newcomers, will be added to the survey next year.
Voting was held via our Web site (www.medicalimagingmag.com) from September 20 through October 18, and we emailed about 9,200 of our readers to alert them of the opportunity. We received an 8.5% response rate, which is fantastic! We’re thrilled.
We’re also happy to receive positive feedback on the magazine in general and would like to share a couple of comments with all of our readers. “I am an enthusiastic reader of Medical Imaging,” writes Jorge Marcos Nahas of Buenos Aires, Argentina. “I enjoy knowing the new and latest advances in imaging developments. It is a real pleasure to receive your prestigious magazine every month.” Writes Doran Mix of Liverpool, NY, “Medical Imaging magazine is one of the most informative imaging magazines available.” Thank you for your feedback; we appreciate your kind words.
But enough chatting. Let’s get on to this year’s winners?congratulations to them all!
MANUFACTURERS
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| Reinaldo Garcia, president of global diagnostic imaging for GE Healthcare, is proud to accept the award for #1 Manufacturer from Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas in front of the company’s LightSpeed VCT scanner. |
1) GE Healthcare
(800) 886-0815 ? www.gehealthcare.com
? #2 in 2004; #5 in 2003
A steady move up to seize the top spot is exactly what GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wis) has done, capturing 16.3% of the top 10 votes. In fact, the last time GE Healthcare was #1 in the Medical Imaging Readers’ Choice Awards was 1998. “We are proud to be recognized as the best manufacturer in the industry,” says Reinaldo Garcia, president of global diagnostic imaging for GE Healthcare. “Our manufacturing success stands out because it is global, integrated, and poised for growth. By being able to develop, design, manufacture, and service breakthrough technology, GE Healthcare can focus on what our customers tell us is important: workflow, connectivity, and ease of use.”
A $14 billion unit of General Electric Co, GE Healthcare offers a range of products and services geared toward improving productivity in healthcare and enabling healthcare providers to better diagnose, treat, and manage patients. “The men and women of GE Healthcare have an exceptional commercial focus, a passion for healthcare, and a keen sense of customer needs,” Garcia says. “We all continue to work in partnership with our customers to deliver clinical efficacy and healthcare system efficiency.”
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| Tom McCausland, president of Siemens Medical Solutions, accepts the award for #2 Manufacturer from Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas. |
2) Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
(888) 826-9702 ? www.usa.siemens.com/medical
? #1 in 2004; #6 in 2003
Edged out of the #1 spot by just two votes (16.16% of the top 10 votes), Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pa) is still happy with its position. “Siemens Medical is extremely proud to be recognized by the readers of such an important publication within the healthcare industry,” says Tom McCausland, president of Siemens Medical. “We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Medical Imaging, and we work with its [staff] on a regular basis to reach our customers.”
Founded in 1877, Siemens Medical is committed to helping customers achieve tangible, sustainable clinical and financial outcomes to ultimately improve the health and satisfaction of their patients. “We offer one of the broadest ranges of medical technology solutions to healthcare providers,” McCausland says, “from state-of-the-art imaging equipment to the only information technology solution built with a workflow engine.”
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| Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas congratulates Brent Shafer, executive VP and CEO, North America, for Philips Medical Systems, on the company’s win as #3 Manufacturer. |
3) Philips Medical Systems
(978) 687-1501 ? www.medical.philips.com
? #4 in 2004; #8 in 2003
“This award is an honor, and Philips Medical takes great pride in receiving the recognition,” says Brent Shafer, executive VP and CEO, North America, for Philips Medical Systems (Andover, Mass). “We are truly appreciative that the Medical Imaging readers have had success with Philips Medical’s products and have taken the time to voice their confidence in us.” And that’s exactly what voters did, granting Philips Medical 14.81% of the top 10 votes, ranking the company a spot closer to the top from last year.
With a comprehensive product portfolio that spans cardiac monitoring systems, digital imaging systems, healthcare IT, and ultrasound, Philips Medical’s mission in healthcare is to improve people’s lives with advanced technology that is easy to use and designed around the user. “These are the pillars of the Philips brand promise,” Shafer says, “and it’s an approach that we feel delivers healthcare products to enhance overall care, comfort, and workflow. … Philips Medical will continue to develop products and technologies that advance healthcare and allow clinicians to focus on their patients.”
4) Eastman Kodak Co
(800) 328-2910 ? www.kodak.com/go/health
? #3 in 2004; #14 in 2003
Dropping just one spot since last year, the Health Group of Eastman Kodak Co (Rochester, NY) nabbed 14.75% of the top 10 votes, but the company isn’t complaining. “What is particularly gratifying about this award is that it is based on a poll of the magazine’s readership,” says Kodak spokesperson Robert B. Salmon. “This is tangible evidence that healthcare professionals are acknowledging Kodak’s leadership in medical imaging and information management?and the momentum is growing.”
Kodak’s Health Group supplies the medical profession with traditional and digital imaging and information systems; its portfolio includes RIS/PACS, healthcare IT solutions, CR and DR systems, laser imagers, X-ray film systems, and mammography and oncology systems. “Kodak has amassed extensive expertise in every link of the imaging and information chain,” Salmon says, “from the acquisition of medical images to their processing, printing, visualization, storage, and distribution. We are big enough to provide the valuable resources and stability that healthcare facilities seek, yet small enough to work collaboratively and effectively with each unique customer.”
5) Agfa Corp (tie)
(201) 440-2500 ? www.agfa.com
? #6 in 2004; no placement in 2003
Agfa Corp’s HealthCare Business Group (Ridgefield Park, NJ) just keeps moving on up in the Readers’ Choice Awards, tying for fifth place with 5.79% of the top 10 votes. “We are honored to be considered as one of the top vendors by the readers of Medical Imaging magazine,” says Bob Pryor, president of the HealthCare Business Group, North America. “Readers have recognized that the industry is changing and that traditional methods of healthcare delivery might not necessarily be the best. Agfa has recognized that, too. … It is gratifying to be recognized in a public forum this way. By knowing that we are making the right kind of progress, we are motivated to do even more.”
Agfa supplies both analog and digital imaging solutions and a range of diagnosis and communications systems, including CR and digital networks for hospitals. In fact, Agfa claims that more than 50% of all hospitals in the world are using its technology. “Our unique solutions provide workflow-enhancing, reporting, and other advanced tools unlike those offered by any other suppliers,” Pryor says. “Our goal is to deliver solutions allowing healthcare providers to manage their image and information processes with efficiency and transparency so that the business of health is accomplished safely and effectively.”
5) MEDRAD Inc (tie)
(412) 767-2400 ? www.medrad.com
? #5 in 2004; #2 in 2003
Maintaining its placement and scoring 5.79% of the top 10 votes, MEDRAD Inc (Indianola, Pa) couldn’t be happier with the poll’s results. “Being included in the top 10 is a key indicator that we are consistently delivering the performance that our customers value and recognize,” says John P. Friel, president and CEO of MEDRAD. “Medical Imaging readers are leaders in their professions, so it always means a great deal to receive this recognition from them. It means that we are meeting their needs for reliability and innovation.”
With 2004 total revenues of $344 million and a track record of excellence?the company was the 2003 recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award?MEDRAD bases its business on quality. “The MEDRAD name means reliability and trust to clinicians who want to know that their tools will work when they need them to,” Friel says. “We are committed to building a quality organization at every level, and our customers continue to reward our efforts.”
6) Toshiba America Medical Systems
(800) 421-1968 ? www.medical.toshiba.com
? #10 in 2004; #19 in 2003
Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS of Tustin, Calif) is moving up the ranks, jumping four places from last year and capturing 5.59% of the top 10 votes. “We view this as a tremendous honor, of course, and a validation of our market strategy as well as recognition of the entire TAMS team,” says Ed Lodgek, senior VP and general manager of TAMS. “What this recognition tells us is that we have listened to our customers well and that we continue to listen to our customers, understand their needs, and react to their requests in ways that help them be successful.”
All of TAMS’ manufacturing is guided by a three-part “Made for Life” philosophy that includes superior system performance, patient-focused technology, and customer-centered relationships?all designed to improve the lives of patients, physicians, and hospital administrators. “A key aspect of our strategy is to develop an ever-growing base of satisfied customers,” Lodgek says. “The goal is to leverage our customers’ success into continued momentum for TAMS, and our strategy is to continue our growth, building a business that is based on referrals. … Although this recognition shows that we are on track, our goal is to continuously improve. We have no intention of becoming complacent.”
7) FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA Inc
(800) 431-1850 ? www.fujimed.com
? #7 in 2004; #10 in 2003
It’s said that slow and steady wins the race. Such is the case with FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA (FMSU of Stamford, Conn), which held steady its seventh-place finish and nabbed 4.85% of the top 10 votes. “We are honored to be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging once again,” says Clayton Larsen, VP of marketing and network development for FMSU. “We continually strive to make sure that the high quality of our products and the efficiency they afford meet our customers’ needs and expectations. This recognition affirms that we are achieving those goals.”
FMSU?recognized as one of the pioneers of CR, with product offerings including cassette-based and cassetteless systems for most imaging environments?is a provider of PACS, digital X-ray systems, women’s healthcare solutions, dry imagers, and film. “We take our time to identify what the problem is that we’re trying to solve,” Larsen says. “We make it a priority to understand what our customers are going through and deliver products that enable them to maximize their productivity and efficiency.”
8) Hologic Inc
(800) 343-9729 ? www.hologic.com
? #8 in 2004; #18 in 2003
It’s crazy eights for Hologic Inc (Bedford, Mass), which remains in eighth place again this year, scoring 4.24% of the top 10 votes. “We are pleased that the readers of Medical Imaging have again selected Hologic as one of the top medical-imaging manufacturers,” says Hologic CEO Jack Cumming. “There is nothing more important than for us to remain dedicated to the principle of applying highly sophisticated technology to medical-imaging challenges. Our focus has enabled us to capture significant market share and customer loyalty, despite the presence of large competitors.”
Noting that more than 1 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and that more than 200 million women worldwide have osteoporosis, Hologic’s core business units are focused on mammography and bone densitometry. “Hologic is a company of individuals from varying backgrounds who share a common goal?the desire to extend women’s lives through the development of technologically superior diagnostic imaging systems that will facilitate the early detection of breast cancer and osteoporosis,” Cumming says. “We are proud of the work we do every day to preserve and extend the lives of countless women throughout the world. And we are pleased that our industry recognizes us for our efforts.”
9) Hewlett-Packard (tie)
(800) 463-3921 ? www.hp.com/go/health
? no placement in 2004 or 2003
Congratulations to Hewlett-Packard (HP of Palo Alto, Calif) for placing in the Readers’ Choice Awards for the first time since coming in first place in 1997! The company, which garnered 4.11% of the top 10 votes, couldn’t be happier that its efforts to grow in the imaging space have been acknowledged. “HP is proud to be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging, and we sincerely appreciate your confidence in us,” says Jeffrey D. Miller, worldwide VP of health and life sciences industry for the company. “HP has long been a leader in enterprise storage, but in 2005, we’ve placed a strong emphasis on storage specifically for the medical-imaging community.”
The company’s best-known product in the space is the HP Medical Archiving Solution, which provides fast, scalable, and secure access to patient studies throughout the enterprise and across facilities. Miller says that the solution will grow with the imaging industry as it grows. “During the past few years, the growing sophistication and abilities of imaging systems has shown us that new ways to rapidly store and retrieve increasingly large patient studies are vital if the health system is to keep up with demand and improve upon care,” he says. “HP has worked hard to create cost-efficient, reliable, and scalable storage solutions for radiologists and others constantly dealing with the overwhelming storage dilemma.”
9) Varian Medical Systems Inc (tie)
(650) 493-4000 ? www.varian.com
? #11 in 2004; #1 in 2003
After falling 10 spots in 2004, Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, Calif) is making a steady move back up the ranks to #9, with 4.11% of the top 10 votes. “We are always tremendously gratified by a Readers’ Choice Award from Medical Imaging,” says Kolleen Kennedy, VP of marketing and engineering of oncology systems for Varian Medical. “It means that people appreciate our efforts and that we have been successful in delivering products that people value?and that is very important to us.”
A leading manufacturer of integrated cancer therapy systems, a supplier of X-ray tubes and flat-panel digital subsystems for medical imaging, and an employer of more than 3,500 people worldwide, Varian Medical is guided by a “total system” philosophy.
“That means we work to develop technology that is versatile, cost-effective, efficient, and clinically practical,” Kennedy says. “We have been promoting the benefits of a fully integrated radiation oncology department. … And we strive to make our technology simple to use, reliable, and as automated as possible. Timothy Guertin, our president and COO, often says, ?We turn exotic science into practical solutions.’ Everyone at Varian Medical is very focused on realizing that vision.”
10) InfiMed Inc
(315) 453-4545 ? www.infimed.com
? #14 in 2004; #17 in 2003
“We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the top 10 companies, and it’s so gratifying that our commitment to quality and innovation has been recognized by our customers and peers in the industry,” says Amy Ryan, VP of InfiMed (Liverpool, NY). And with a steady rise each year in the Readers’ Choice Awards, nabbing 3.5% of the top 10 votes this year, the 22-year-old company should be excited.
InfiMed, which has more than 4,000 digital imaging subsystems and upgrades installed worldwide, has developed, integrated, and delivered digital medical-imaging solutions for cath labs, X-ray imaging centers, hospitals, and trauma centers. The company also provides customized OEM imaging solutions and is accredited as one of the first medical-imaging companies to be certified ISO 9001. “I believe that InfiMed’s flexibility and commitment to quality,” Ryan says, “as well as our outstanding customer support, help to differentiate us from our competition.”
ACCESSORIES, SUPPLIES, AND SERVICE
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| Kevin J. Hobert, president of Eastman Kodak Co’s Health Group, accepts the award for #1 provider of Accessories, Supplies, and Service from Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas. |
1) Eastman Kodak Co
(800) 328-2910 ? www.kodak.com/go/health
? #1 in 2004; #14 in 2003
Eastman Kodak Co’s Health Group (Rochester, NY) has done it again! For the second-consecutive year, Kodak remains the top provider of accessories, supplies, and service, according to voters, who granted the company 21.51% of the top 10 votes. Perhaps the industry is swayed by the wealth of services that Kodak offers. “We offer a full range of professional services to help customers improve efficiency, increase productivity, and transition to digital-imaging solutions,” says Kodak spokesperson Robert B. Salmon. These global services include workflow analysis and redesign, project management, change management, and the development of new policies and procedures to help customers maintain compliance with governmental regulations.
With 2004 revenues of $2.68 billion, the Health Group also offers repair and maintenance services; secure email services; and other professional services, such as integration, storage, and archiving. In fact, it isn’t just the readers of Medical Imaging who think Kodak is tops. In May 2005, market research firm MD Buyline (Dallas) noted high user scores for Kodak’s digital medical imaging products and related support services.1
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| Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas presents Dee mellor, VP of global services for GE Healthcare, with the #2 award for Accessories, Supplies, and Service. |
2) GE Healthcare
(800) 886-0815 ? www.gehealthcare.com
? #2 in 2004; #5 in 2003
History is repeating itself, as GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wis) remains in spot #2 for accessories, supplies, and service. “This is wonderful recognition from the readers of Medical Imaging,” says Dee Mellor, VP of global services for GE Healthcare. “Our focus has been and will continue to be understanding and meeting our customers’ needs.” A good chunk of 26,000 readers can’t be wrong. GE Healthcare also ranked tops in a recent IMV ServiceTrak diagnostic-imaging survey.
Garnering 16.96% of the top 10 votes in the Readers’ Choice Awards, GE Healthcare employs more than 42,500 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. “From training to applications support, and from system repair to parts,” Mellor says, “GE Healthcare stands out by ensuring that our customers receive the commitment to quality that they expect and deserve.”
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| Tom McCausland, president of Siemens Medical Solutions, accepts the award for #3 provider of Accessories, Supplies, and Service from Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas. |
3) Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
(888) 826-9702 ? www.usa.siemens.com/medical
? no placement in 2004; #6 in 2003
Welcome back to the top 10, Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pa)! The company nabbed 11.48% of the top 10 votes for accessories, supplies, and service. “This public recognition by the magazine is very gratifying and is validation that we are meeting the needs of our customers,” says Siemens Medical President Tom McCausland.
With its motto, “We see a way to increase efficiency in healthcare,” and more than 125 years of experience, Siemens Medical currently employs more than 31,000 people in 120 countries. “With our complete accessory and service packages,” McCausland says, “Siemens Medical helps to ensure that our customers maximize their return on investment. [We are a] leader in healthcare technology, helping our customers optimize their processes in order to provide the best patient care.”
4) MEDRAD Inc
(412) 767-2400 ? www.medrad.com
? #5 in 2004; #2 in 2003
“One of MEDRAD’s core corporate goals is to improve the quality of healthcare,” says John P. Friel, president and CEO of MEDRAD (Indianola, Pa). “We do that by taking care of professionals on the front lines of healthcare. Through products, services, and world-class support, we are single-minded about satisfying our customers.” And it shows, as the company scored 9.31% of the top 10 votes and moved up a spot in the rankings.
A worldwide provider of medical devices and services that enable and enhance imaging procedures in the human body, MEDRAD also offers a comprehensive line of vascular injection systems, MR surface coils and accessory products, and a host of equipment services. Says Friel, “MEDRAD completes the circle of service and support so that our customers can focus on what they do best: delivering the highest-quality healthcare to their patients.”
5) Philips Medical Systems, Global PACS Business Unit (formerly Stentor Inc)
(877) 318-1808 ? www.stentor.com
? first time placing
Congratulations to Philips Medical’s Global PACS Business Unit (Brisbane, Calif) on its first win in the Readers’ Choice Awards?and with 8.17% of the top 10 votes. “It is great to be appreciated and valued by our customers,” says Oran Muduroglu, CEO of the healthcare IT business group. “One of our main goals as a company is to focus on customer satisfaction. We pride ourselves on providing industry-leading service and care to our customers, and we strive to continually improve and advance our products and services to enhance the delivery of quality patient care.”
Founded in 1988, the Global PACS Business Unit (formerly Stentor) provides solutions for enterprise-wide medical-image and information management. In fact, Philips’ PACS solution goes beyond the radiology department to focus on the entire healthcare enterprise. “Our vision of success always has been to address the enterprise as a whole?not just on a departmental level,” Muduroglu says. “We are committed to this vision and look forward to the future as we partner with hospitals to improve patient care, decrease medical errors, and increase productivity.”
6) SourceOne Healthcare Technologies Inc
(800) 248-1172 ? www.sourceonehealthcare.com
? first time placing
Another first-time winner for accessories, supplies, and service is SourceOne Healthcare Technologies (Mentor, Ohio), which comes in sixth place with 7.14% of the top 10 votes?congratulations! “Recognizing the high standards of Medical Imaging readers, we take this honor as a tremendous compliment,” says Jerry C. Cirino, president and CEO of SourceOne, a provider of imaging equipment and radiographic consumables, supplies, and services tailored for healthcare facilities of all types.
Backed by a 24/7 service and customer care call center, 650 trained field service engineers, and a delivery fleet of 350 vehicles, SourceOne boasts the largest coast-to-coast service and distribution network in the industry. “All of these factors uniquely position SourceOne as a market leader recognized for helping customers manage their supply and logistics needs, reduce their costs, and improve operational efficiencies,” Cirino says. “We deliver on this promise every day.”
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7) DMS Health Group
(800) 437-4628 ? www.dmshg.com
? #6 in 2004 (first time placing)
No one can tell the story for DMS Health Group (Fargo, ND) and its history in the Readers’ Choice Awards better than Nat Geissel, senior VP of the company. “Two years ago, we received some write-in votes,” he says. “Last year, we made the top 10 list as both a provider of accessories, supplies, and service and as a dealer/distributor. On many occasions during the past year, our customers and vendors have acknowledged and congratulated us on this achievement.” And it’s certainly in order, as the company has garnered seventh place and 7.03% of the top 10 votes.
DMS Health Group provides imaging and patient-monitoring products, equipment services, mobile services, interim/rental services, fixed-site imaging, and portable imaging. “We are grateful for this recognition, because it validates our constant commitment to our SERVICE values: solutions provider, excellent, reliable, visionary, innovative, customer-focused, and ethical,” Geissel says. The company is guided by its SERVICE values and claims, “[They are] what we believe in and how we intend to operate.”
8) ReMedPar
(800) 624-3994 ? www.remedpar.com
? #11 in 2004 (first time placing)
Moving up three places to reach the winner’s circle (with 6.41% of the top 10 votes), ReMedPar (Goodlettsville, Tenn) is thrilled with the results. “It is a great honor to be recognized by the readers of Medical Imaging,” says Wanda Legate, VP of customer relations for ReMedPar. “We understand that our success depends on our customers and business partners, so we continually strive to cultivate and earn their trust.”
By providing replacement parts, technical training, technical support, and certified equipment, ReMedPar’s mission is to lower the life-cycle cost of owning and maintaining medical equipment. “We strive not only to meet but to exceed the expectations of our customers and vendors,” Legate says, “by continuing to be an innovator in the healthcare industry.”
9) Mallinckrodt, a division of Tyco Healthcare
(888) 744-1414 ? www.imaging.mallinckrodt.com
? #18 in 2004 (first time placing)
Jumping up nine places with 6.1% of the top 10 votes is Mallinckrodt (Hazelwood, Mo), a global manufacturer and distributor of specialty medical products. “It is an honor to receive this recognition, one we believe must be earned every day,” says Scott Hollander, VP of marketing for Tyco Healthcare Mallinckrodt. “Enhancing the effectiveness and diagnostic capabilities of Medical Imaging‘s readers is of utmost importance.”
According to Hollander, Mallinckrodt is the only company to offer fully integrated contrast medical delivery systems for CT, X-ray, and MR procedures, as well as the only vertically integrated nuclear medicine supplier?from raw materials for isotope products to a network of nuclear pharmacies providing unit doses. “Mallinckrodt is committed to providing vital products for today’s advanced imaging protocols, and we are dedicated to patient safety, highly responsive customer service, innovation, research, and development.”
10) Varian Medical Systems
(650) 493-4000 ? www.varian.com
? #8 in 2004; #1 in 2003
Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, Calif) is a steady contender in the top 10, garnering 5.89% of the top 10 votes for accessories, supplies, and service. “And it feels fantastic,” says Elaine McKinley, VP of oncology systemscustomer support. “I oversee the full spectrum of customer service activities for Varian’s Oncology Systems business, so this award is very important to me personally as well as to all of our employees at every level.”
With 56 sales and support offices located around the globe, Varian Medical devotes about one third of its employees to customer support. “They staff our help desk, which fields 4,000 calls each month,” McKinley says. “They install, service, and repair equipment. They teach classes and conduct on-site education programs. They manage our parts banks around the world. All of these service functions are part of Varian’s commitment to customers, and it’s a commitment that we take very seriously.”
DEALER/DISTRIBUTOR & REMANUFACTURER/REBUILDER
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| The team at SourceOne Healthcare Technologies is pleased to receive the reward for #1 Dealer/Distributor and Remanufacturer/Rebuilder. From left to right are Ren? Andrepont, midwest region sales manager for SourceOne; Robert Bedwell, district sales manager for SourceOne, David Edison, executive VP of Merry X-Ray Corp; Deborah A. Tahsin, MedTel manager for SourceOne; and Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas. |
1) SourceOne Healthcare Technologies Inc
(800) 248-1172 ? www.sourceonehealthcare.com
? first time placing
Not only did SourceOne Healthcare Technologies (Mentor, Ohio) come in sixth place in the Accessories, Supplies, and Service category, but the company also took the top prize in the Dealer/Distributor and Remanufacturer/Rebuilder category with 17.38% of the top 10 votes. Not only that, but it’s SourceOne’s first time on the ballot! “Each of our employees is seriously dedicated to serving the industry with the highest standard of service and support possible,” says Jerry C. Cirino, president and CEO of SourceOne. “To be recognized for making the grade is a compliment to everyone in our organization.”
SourceOne’s product portfolio represents more than 25,000 products from 400-plus OEMs and vendors with 39 distribution centers. In fact, the company claims to serve 90% of US acute-care hospitals, specialty clinics, and the Armed Services. Says Cirino, “Our sales organization, comprised of more than 100 highly experienced professionals, works closely with our customers to develop customized solutions for all of their medical-imaging needs.”
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| Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas presents Robert Hibdon, VP and general manager of Varian / Interay, with the #2 award for Dealer/Distributor and Remanufacturer/Rebuilder. |
2) Varian Medical Systems / Interay
(843) 767-3005 ? www.varian.com
? #1 in 2004 (first time placing)
Coming in second is still a win for Varian Medical Systems / Interay (North Charleston, SC), which nabbed 14.25% of the top 10 votes. “What we appreciate most is the recognition from your readers that the work we do and the efforts we make to provide a world-class product with world-class service meet with their approval,” says Robert Hibdon, VP and general manager of Varian / Interay. “[Winning] serves as a validation of all the plans, processes, strategies, and values that Varian / Interay holds in this business.”
The Interay division, which is part of Varian Medical’s X-Ray Products Group, provides quick replacement of X-ray tubes to third-party service providers, multi-vendor service organizations, and small OEMs worldwide. Most products are available within 24 hours from receipt of order or, in many cases, the same day. “Varian / Interay has a belief in the role performed by independent service organizations and asset management groups [that provide products of the same quality as OEMs],” Hibdon says. “We believe strongly in the value added by those dealers and distributors, and we have dedicated our business to providing new products and quality support to them. It appears that the readers of Medical Imaging agree with our belief, and we certainly appreciate their recognition.”
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| Wanda Legate (right), VP of customer relations for ReMedPar, accepts the #3 award for Dealer/Distributor and Remanufacturer/Rebuilder from Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas (left). |
3) ReMedPar (tie)
(800) 624-3994 ? www.remedpar.com
? #3 in 2004 (first time placing)
Three is definitely a charm for ReMedPar (Goodlettsville, Tenn), which has come in third place again this year, scoring 11.4% of the top 10 votes. Known for its Reliable Medical Parts, the company is one of the largest independent providers of multi-vendor support services for medical-imaging equipment. “It is our people and their dedication to our customers’ satisfaction that sets us apart from our competitors,” says Wanda Legate, VP of customer relations for ReMedPar.
For more than 15 years, ReMedPar has been a top supplier to the industry?with more than 5,000 products in inventory and ready to ship. The company believes it has been recognized due, in part, to its staff. “Our employees have more than 200 years of combined industry experience,” Legate says, “with a proven track record of reliability.”
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| Nat Geissel, senior VP of DMS Health Group, proudly accepts the #3 award for Dealer/Distributor and Remanufacturer/Rebuilder from Medical Imaging Editor Andi Lucas. |
3) DMS Health Group (tie)
(800) 437-4628 ? www.dmshg.com
? #2 in 2004 (first time placing)
“Being recognized by the 26,000 readers of Medical Imaging is an honor for our entire organization,” says Nat Geissel, senior VP of DMS Health Group (Fargo, ND), which dropped only one place and garnered 11.4% of the top 10 votes. Members of DMS Health Group include DMS Health Technologies, DMS Interim Solutions, and DMS Imaging. Part of the latter group is DMS MedSource Partners, which offers a low-risk alternative to acquiring full-time diagnostic imaging equipment.
Outside North Dakota, the company’s operations offices exist in Minneapolis; Sioux Falls, SD; Houston; and Los Angeles. “Winning confirms our progress toward becoming a respected, national organization,” Geissel says. “As we continue our growth, we know
4) Dunlee
(800) 238-3780 ? www.dunlee.com
? #4 in 2004 (first time placing)
Maintaining its fourth-place finish that nabbed 8.83% of the top 10 votes, Dunlee (Aurora, Ill) also is celebrating its 60th anniversary as a leading manufacturer and supplier of OEM and replacement CT, cardiovascular, and X-ray tubes. “We are honored to be chosen by the readers of Medical Imaging,” says David Kuehn, VP of marketing and sales for Dunlee. “We also are very proud of our long history of making products that have a real and immediate impact on improving people’s lives. We strive to make tubes that are more reliable and longer lasting, driving greater value for our customers.”
A division of Philips Medical Systems, Dunlee has a combined 160 years of experience in building X-ray tubes. In fact, the company claims that it produces about 70% of the replacement tube types used in the market today. “Dunlee will continue to develop new products and programs to meet the changing needs of our customers,” Kuehn says. “We appreciate the recognition that we received, and we will use it to fuel our future efforts.”
5) Del Medical Systems Group
(800) 800-6006 ? www.delmedical.com
? #5 in 2004 (first time placing)
Del Medical Systems Group (Franklin Park, Ill) is pleased with its second-consecutive fifth-place finish, which scored 7.83% of the top 10 votes. “We are very pleased to, once again, be recognized by our customers and peers in the imaging community,” says Scott Loehrke, VP of sales and marketing for Del Medical. “The favorable mention that we receive from our partners and customers in the industry on how we conduct our business is our greatest reward.”
Del Medical designs, manufactures, and markets general radiographic, DR, fluoroscopic, and portable X-ray systems and has more than 30,000 systems installed worldwide. Also, the company has more than 75 years of experience in manufacturing and distributing medical-imaging systems. “Del Medical is the leader it is today for one simple reason,” Loehrke says. “Our customers recognize that we deliver quality, reliability, and value with every system. Our ability to interpret and anticipate the needs and demands of a market in continuous evolution is the fruit of our relationships with partners and customers and of our strongly rooted presence in radiology.”
6) GE Walker Inc
(800) 749-2483 ? www.gewalker.com
? first time placing
Congratulations are in order for GE Walker (Tampa, Fla), scoring 7.69% of the top 10 votes and placing sixth?all while being listed on the ballot for the first time. “It is rewarding to hear our customers speak of us in such a positive way,” says George E. Walker, president and owner of the company. “A high level of customer satisfaction is, in fact, what all 120-plus team members strive to achieve, and this feedback is extremely motivating.”
Founded in 1976, GE Walker has become one of the oldest privately held, full-service imaging distributors in the United States, providing medical-imaging equipment, PACS software solutions, and analog supplies. “We stand out above our competition because of our commitment to customers to provide a knowledgeable team that can translate their specific and often complex clinical needs into best-in-class imaging hardware and/or software solutions,” Walker says. “These products, in turn, are supported by a trained service organization.”
7) Medical Imaging Solutions
(866) 592-9191 ? www.medicalimaginggroup.com
? #11 in 2004 (first time placing)
Moving up four places this year with 5.84% of the top 10 votes, Medical Imaging Solutions (MIS of Woodstock, Ga) couldn’t be more thrilled. “Of course, it always feels wonderful to be recognized by so many individuals for a job well done,” says Arnold Bates, owner and president of MIS. “It’s rewarding to know that our efforts have been well worth going the extra mile to provide imaging solutions and excellent service for our clients. We would like to extend a warm ?thank you’ to all the individuals who participated in voting for our company. We are honored!”
Since its incorporation in 1998, MIS has experienced success and growth as a worldwide supplier of products and services relative to preowned and refurbished MRI and CT equipment. Its headquarters include a 45,000-square-foot refurbishing facility; and other offices are located in San Antonio, Chicago, and Mexico City. Collectively, MIS’ sales staff has more than 55 years of experience exclusively in the medical-imaging arena. “We have an honest desire to supply our clients with a complete solution to their imaging needs,” Bates says. “With every resource at hand, coupled with our world-class facility, we are capable of truly being that ?one-stop shop’ that consumers are always seeking.”
8) Sonora Medical Systems
(888) 476-6672 ? www.4sonora.com
? #14 in 2004 (first time placing)
A jump of six places this year lands Sonora Medical Systems (Longmont, Colo) in eighth place with 5.41% of the top 10 votes. “We are delighted that Medical Imaging’s readers have voiced their trust in Sonora through the Readers’ Choice Awards,” says G. Wayne Moore, president and CEO of Sonora. “It is another validation point for us that our ongoing efforts to provide customer-focused ultrasound products and services tracks what medical professionals have come to demand, expect, and deserve.”
Sonora provides recertified ultrasound systems, ultrasound probes and parts, MRI parts and repair, multi-vendor training, and proprietary capital equipment and components to OEMs, equipment dealers, and healthcare providers worldwide. “Our core commitment to quality is codified in our being the only independent aftermarket ultrasound product and service provider to be ISO-certified to the Medical Device Directive level,” Moore says. “We strongly believe that our passion of providing increasingly higher levels of quality and value in the products and services we offer makes Sonora both a driver and a leader in this market space.”
9) Delta Medical Systems Inc
(800) 798-7574 ? www.deltamedicalsystems.com
? first time placing
Finishing in ninth place its first time on the ballot is a great achievement for Delta Medical Systems (Pewaukee, Wis), which nabbed 5.27% of the top 10 votes?congratulations! “We are excited to be in the top 10 dealer/distributors,” says Jim Ziebart, executive VP and general manager of Delta Medical. “We thrive on selling cutting-edge technology and taking care of the customer.”
The company, which represents Siemens Medical Solutions, R2 Technology, and Del Medical Systems, has been serving customers since 1970. A full-service distributor, Delta Medical’s engineers are factory trained, and its sales force focuses on niche markets. “What makes us successful is the employees at Delta Medical,” Ziebart says, “and their constant drive for customer satisfaction.”
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10) Quest International Inc
(800) 231-6777 ? www.questinc.com
? #17 in 2004 (first time placing)
Leaping seven places and scoring 4.7% of the top 10 votes, Quest International (Irvine, Calif) is delighted with its 10th-place finish. “Quest is truly appreciative to Medical Imaging’s readership for receiving a Readers’ Choice Award,” says Bill Greenblatt, VP of sales and marketing for Quest. “To be voted in the top 10 is an honor and indicative of the integrity of every Quest employee who makes us what we are today. Thank you for showing your support of Quest and the level of service that we have worked so hard to provide to the medical-imaging community.”
An ISO 9001-registered company, an Authorized Master Distributor for Totoku Medical Display Monitors, and an Authorized NEC and Sony Reseller, Quest has been providing sales, repair, and exchanges for all medical-imaging peripherals since 1982. “Standing out from the competition isn’t accomplished by any one single achievement,” Greenblatt notes. “Quest takes extra steps to ensure 100 percent customer satisfaction with every order. And Quest promotes a process of ongoing improvement that encourages employees to participate in ways to improve quality and efficiency. Finally, we listen to our customers.”
Andi Lucas is the editor of Medical Imaging.
References
- Eastman Kodak Co Press Release Archive. Kodak’s Health Group earns high marks from MD Buyline. May 18, 2005. Available at:www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml;. Accessed November 1, 2005.
