Zimmer announces global product donation partnership

Zimmer Holdings has announced plans to partner with non-governmental body AmeriCares to provide in-kind medical donations supporting ongoing medical assistance and emergency response.

The company has announced an initial product commitment valued at $1 million (505,000 pounds).

Products will be donated to three of the primary programmes for AmeriCares, namely Global Medical Assistance, Medical Outreach and Emergency Response.

Zimmer will not be involved in selecting the recipients of its product donations.

AmeriCares will assess and match patient needs in its Emergency Response and Global Medical Assistance programmes with product lines from Zimmer and it will also screen international medical volunteer applications referred as part of the Medical Outreach Programme.

David Dvorak, president and chief executive officer of Zimmer, said: “We are proud to be partnering with AmeriCares for the purpose of providing the life-enhancing benefits of our products to those affected by disasters, conflict and chronic poverty.”

He added that the company is confident that AmeriCares will help the firm achieve its philanthropic goals in this area.

In March 2008, Zimmer said the appointment of Robert A Hagemann and Cecil B Pickett to its board of directors would add value to the firm as it looks to deploy its strategy.