Acumed celebrates 17 years of support for SIGN Fracture Care International

May 15, 2014

The SIGN benefit dinner marks 17 years of sponsoring SIGN Fracture Care International, a charitable organization that makes orthopaedic care accessible in developing countries.

Since 1998, Acumed has been a corporate sponsor and partner of SIGN Fracture Care International. Based in Richland, Washington, SIGN is a US charitable organization with operations in more than 50 nations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

SIGN supports surgeons in these countries by providing them with training and specially designed, modern equipment so they can offer immediate surgical treatment to their patients. SIGN designs and manufactures its own surgical implants and instruments that are donated, or provided on a cost reimbursement basis, to under-resourced hospitals. In addition, SIGN coordinates training of surgeons in the use of its equipment as well as other orthopaedic procedures.

SIGN has developed an expertise in developing surgical implants designed for leg fractures, and then teaching orthopaedic surgeons the techniques to use them. Leg fractures are particularly troublesome in developing counties, where an injury to a family breadwinner – often a farm or factory worker – can have a devastating long-term effect on the family.

Over the past 17 years, Acumed has been a partner of SIGN. Acumed employees have donated their time by providing product engineering and design support and by sorting, packing and shipping orthopaedic implants and surgical kits. In addition to making annual cash contributions, Acumed supports SIGN’s annual educational conference.

Acumed’s involvement with SIGN is consistent with its stated concepts of social responsibility as it seeks to have a positive community impact through its support and contributions to local as well as international organizations.

“Through SIGN we can extend our impact to parts of the world where orthopaedic care is needed but not readily available. Aiding the afflicted is our mission at Acumed” said Loren Blanchard, Director of Manufacturing.

“Acumed is one of our major supporters and has been with us since our inception,” says SIGN CEO Jeanne Dillner. “As we’ve grown during the past 17 years, Acumed has been with us contributing time, talent and treasure – all to help ensure we can improve orthopaedic care that benefits thousands of people in developing countries.”

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About Acumed

Acumed is a global leader in developing innovative orthopaedic and medical solutions to improve patient care. Acumed has more than two decades of experience in the orthopaedic industry, staying true to the Acumed mission of aiding the afflicted through the ingenuity of our minds, the labor of our hands and the compassion of our hearts. Founded in 1988, Acumed is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, with offices and a distribution network throughout the world.