Zimmer Holdings Announces 2010 Funding for OMeGA Medical Grants Association

WARSAW, Ind., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH) today announced that it will provide the OMeGA Medical Grants Association LLC (OMeGA) $2.175 million in funding for the 2010-2011 academic year.  OMeGA was formed in 2008 as a third party administrator for graduate medical education.  Zimmer was the founding supporter of OMeGA, committing $2 million in funding for educational grants for the 2009-2010 academic year; the Company has also committed a minimum of $2 million in funding for the 2011-2012 academic year.

"We are pleased to increase our support for graduate medical education through OMeGA," said David Dvorak, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zimmer Holdings.  "Educational institutions are challenged now more than ever to provide the funding that will be required for the next generation of medical professionals.  The medical device industry shares a commitment to advancing patient care, and this is one important way in which Zimmer supports that goal."

The OMeGA online grants application process is now open for submissions for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Applications are accepted for fellowship grants in nine sub-specialty categories as well as residency/general education.  All orthopaedic allopathic and osteopathic programs in the Americas may apply.  Applications must be submitted by March 24, 2010, at 5 pm CST.  

For the 2009-2010 year, OMeGA received more than 250 applications and provided 44 fellowship grants and 21 residency grants at both academic institutions and community hospitals.

OMeGA is an independent organization established by the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA).  The OMeGA board members are free from conflicts of interest:  they do not have financial interests in any orthopaedic medical device manufacturer (for the previous two years) or leadership roles (i.e., financial decision-making) in orthopaedic fellowship or residency programs and educational institutions.

Grant recipients and allocations are determined by the OMeGA board and review committees composed of sub-specialty experts.  These surgeons evaluate education programs based on objective criteria that include, among others, goals and objectives of the program, program accreditation status, ratio of faculty to fellows, quality of resources and facilities and recent published papers by fellows.

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 2009 sales were approximately $4.1 billion.  The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,000 employees worldwide.

About OMeGA Medical Grants Association  

OMeGA Medical Grants Association is an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 2008.  OMeGA awards and manages grants for orthopaedic graduate medical education through a consistent, accessible process designed to safeguard against potential conflicts of interest and ensure transparency in the allocation of resources.  Visit www.omegamedicalgrants.org or call (847) 318-7330 for more information. 

For more information about Zimmer, visit www.zimmer.com

SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.