Recipients of Inaugural Tracy T. Lefteroff Fund Awards Announced

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fogarty Institute for Innovation, a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit that mentors, trains and inspires the next generation of medical innovators, in partnership with the PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. and CHI-California Healthcare Institute, has announced this year's recipients of the Tracy T. Lefteroff Fund Awards, recognizing promising entrepreneurs, innovators, students and programs in the life sciences field.

Named after Tracy T. Lefteroff, partner at PwC, long-time board member of the Fogarty Institute for Innovation, CHI-California Healthcare Institute, Stanford Biodesign program and a passionate advocate of entrepreneurship in the life sciences industry, the Fund helps spur innovative ideas, develops and educates promising medical innovators who have demonstrated significant potential in the area of medical advancement.  Lefteroff was an influential leader in venture capital-funded life sciences companies worldwide and was widely regarded for his perspectives on the life science industry. He was a tremendous supporter of the Institute and believed in a strong foundation in education.

"Tracy dedicated his life to the life sciences industry and it's fitting that these awards recognize so many deserving individuals and organizations that are pushing the boundaries of the life sciences field.  All are working to find new techniques, therapies, diagnostics and treatments that can improve patient outcomes and the quality of life of people around the world," said Ann Fyfe, CEO of the Fogarty Institute for Innovation.

This year's recipient of the Lefteroff Innovator Award, which directly funds projects for promising new innovators working on pre-screened medical ideas, was presented to InPress Technologies, a company developing a single-use medical device to treat postpartum hemorrhage, the number one cause of maternal death worldwide according to recent statistics from the World Health Organization.

The Lefteroff Lecture Series Award, which provides funding and support for speakers who help foster ideas and advance the community's understanding of the role of medical innovation and entrepreneurship in the life sciences industry, was awarded to the Stanford Biodesign Innovator Workbench event featuring Stanton Rowe, Corporate Vice President, Advanced Technology and Chief Scientific Officer, and Stan Rabinovich, Vice President, Advanced Technology, both of Edwards Lifesciences.

Lefteroff Educational Scholarships have been created to provide a forum to inform and mentor students wanting to enter the extraordinary world of medical innovation.  In an environment that is creative and collaborative, interns will learn from, work with and network among medical professionals. Through the Lefteroff Intern program, interns are given access to industry experts and senior leaders to assist and help guide their career choices in an informed manner.  They participate in shadowing programs while working on meaningful projects with Fogarty Institute affiliates.  In this truly unique program, students gain exposure to the interfaces between the inventors, physicians, and everything in between--lawyers, engineers, regulatory consultants, investors and apply this knowledge to their future career decisions.

An award has been made to the Lefteroff Intern program to fund high school, undergraduate and graduate students, fellows and interns so they can advance their education, knowledge and real-world experience in the area of medical innovation.

Announcing the 2014 Lefteroff Interns:

• Daniel Adler - Pennsbury High School Graduate, Johns Hopkins University Junior
• Alexander Carbonel – Saint Francis High School Senior
• Tiffany Chang - The Harker School, University of California and Georgetown University Graduate, Prospective first year Medical student
• Jamie Corley – Menlo School Senior
• Katherine Hobbs - Castilleja High School Graduate, Middlebury College Sophomore
• Sanah Imran - Castilleja High School Graduate, Santa Clara University Freshman
• Matthew Ingraham – St. Augustine High School Senior
• Sarah Long - Aragon High School, Amherst College Graduate. Second year medical student, Tulane School of Medicine
• Bret Pinsker - Palo Alto High School Graduate, Johns Hopkins University Sophomore
• Haley Reicher - The Branson School Graduate, Dartmouth College Sophomore

Lefteroff Fellow Sarah Long notes, "I am honored to be selected as one of the first recipients of the Tracy T. Lefteroff Fund and am grateful for this extremely generous gift that will help me become one of the next generation of medical innovators."

The Tracy Lefteroff Fund was developed to recognize Lefteroff's legacy of commitment and dedication to entrepreneurship, investment and innovation in the life sciences industry. To date, more than $500,000 has been raised for the annual awards. The Lefteroff Fund is housed and administered by the Fogarty Institute for Innovation. To learn more about the Tracy T. Lefteroff Fund, visit http://fogartyinstitute.org/education-lefteroff1.html.

About The Fogarty Institute for Innovation

Located on the campus of El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, Calif., the Fogarty Institute for Innovation is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit that serves to energize the process of medical technology innovation. Its educational activities involve teaching the skills and methodology necessary for medical innovators to translate their ideas into new patient therapies. Companies affiliated with the Institute have access to the clinical experience and clinical trial management services available through the collaboration between the Institute, El Camino Hospital and the Taft Center for Clinical Research. Currently more than 12 companies are in residence at the Institute. To learn more, go to www.fogartyinstitute.org.

About The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.

The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc., a section 501(c)(3) organization, makes contributions to the people of PwC in times of financial hardship, and to nonprofit organizations that support and promote education and humanitarianism. The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. provided the initial funding for the Lefteroff Educational Scholarships.

About PwC US

PwC US helps organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. We're a member of the PwC network of firms in 157 countries with more than 184,000 people. We're committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/US. Gain customized access to our insights by downloading our thought leadership app: PwC's 365™ Advancing business thinking every day.

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© 2014 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. PwC US refers to the US member firm, and PwC may refer to either the PwC network of firms or the US member firm. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

About CHI - California Healthcare Institute

CHI represents more than 275 leading biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics, and pharmaceutical companies, and public and private academic biomedical research organizations. CHI's mission is to advance biomedical research, investment and innovation through effective advocacy of policies to improve public health and ensure continued vitality of the life sciences sector. CHI's website is www.chi.org. Follow us on Twitter @calhealthcare, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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SOURCE The Fogarty Institute for Innovation