Zimmer Recognizes Bonnie Simpson Mason, MD, Recipient of the 2015 AAOS Diversity Award

WARSAW, Ind., April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZMH) wishes to recognize Bonnie Simpson Mason, MD, for being selected as the 2015 recipient of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Diversity Award.

The AAOS Diversity Award recognizes Academy members who have distinguished their careers through an outstanding commitment to making clinical orthopaedics more representative of, and accessible to, diverse patient populations.  Dr. Simpson Mason, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, is founder and Executive Director of N^th Dimensions Educational Solutions, Inc., a Zimmer-sponsored 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Through her role at N^th Dimensions, Dr. Simpson Mason has developed and facilitated unique scholarship opportunities for women and minority medical students interested in pursuing the orthopaedic specialty. 

"We are thrilled that Dr. Simpson Mason has received this prestigious honor, and we join the Academy in applauding both her distinguished career and her tireless advocacy," said Verona Brewton, Director, Zimmer Minority Initiatives.  "Her accomplishments as an orthopaedic ambassador are helping to shape the next generation of physicians, and support the profession's ability to serve an increasingly diverse nation.  Bonnie's work has been an inspiration, and we are looking forward to continuing Zimmer's support of these pipeline diversity programs."

N^th Dimensions is committed to increasing diversity in the medical field, addressing healthcare disparities based on gender and racial/ethnic background, and advancing the professional development of aspiring minority physicians in orthopaedic surgery.    With support from Zimmer, N^th Dimensions has awarded more than two million dollars in scholarships to medical students since 2005.  N^th Dimensions scholars also gain early exposure to the field of orthopaedics, including hands-on clinical and research opportunities, as well as mentoring and leadership development.  In 2012, 18 first year medical students were selected by N^th Dimensions to participate in this developmental program; 75 percent of those students matched in orthopaedic residency programs this year.

In addition to her work as Executive Director of N^th Dimensions, Dr. Simpson Mason authors medical curricula, and speaks nationally on the topics of physician leadership and diversity.  Dr. Simpson Mason was presented with the Diversity Award at a special ceremony last month at the 2015 AAOS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

About the Company

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer designs, develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products.  Zimmer has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries.  Zimmer's 2014 sales were approximately $4.7 billion.  The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 9,000 employees worldwide.  More information about Zimmer is available at www.zimmer.com.

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SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.