USA – Zimmer Biomet, the orthopedics company has created an independent non-profit structure for Movement is Life, Inc., the philanthropic, multi-disciplinary coalition that it founded in 2010.
The coalition’s mission is to improve musculoskeletal health for women, underserved racial and ethnic groups, and people living in rural communities.
The company says that the new non-profit organization will continue its focus on raising awareness of the impact of disparities on chronic disease management and quality of life through programs that focus on early intervention, education, behavior change and advocacy.
“We’re excited to take this next step in the evolution of Movement is Life as we continue on our path to address disparities in underserved communities and populations,” said Mary O’Connor, MD, Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Vori Health, and Chair of the Movement is Life Board of Directors.
The Zimmer Biomet Foundation has made a multi-year, multi-million-dollar commitment to continue to support operating costs of the new organization, while enabling it to establish an independent coalition and scale its programs.
Commenting on the Keri P. Mattox, Zimmer Biomet Chief Communications and Administration Officer said, “Over the past 12 years, Movement is Life has been the premier organization addressing health disparities in orthopedics.
“This new nonprofit status will allow the organization to expand partnerships and develop new relationships to continue the important work of the coalition.”
The coalition’s mission is to improve musculoskeletal health for women, underserved racial and ethnic groups, and people living in rural communities.
Movement is Life’s leadership structure
Movement is Life has named the following distinguished leaders to the inaugural independent Board of Directors:
Mary I. O’Connor, MD, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Vori Health; Professor Emerita of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic; Chair.
Carla Harwell, MD, Medical Director, University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center; Associate Professor of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine; Vice Chair.
Ramon Jimenez, MD; Co-founder and President, American Association of Latino Orthopaedic Surgeons; Treasurer.
Charla B. Johnson, DNP, RN-BC; System Director, Nursing Informatics, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System; Secretary.
Verona Brewton, Director of Minority Initiatives, Zimmer Biomet.
Michelle Leak, DEd, MBA, Operations Administrator, Mayo Clinic.
Chad Phipps, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Zimmer Biomet.
Rolf Taylor, Founder and Executive Director, Project Advocacy.
Association management company Smithbucklin, in collaboration with Verona Brewton, Zimmer Biomet’s Director of Minority Initiatives, has managed the transition process to ensure seamless execution and continuation of current Movement is Life programs.
Millicent Gorham has been appointed as Executive Director to lead the Movement is Life organization.
Earlier on, Zimmer Biomet funding a US$1.25 million fellowship grant in partnership with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the Times Union reported June 9.
The grant will go to fellowship programs that aim to improve orthopedic care through innovation, equity and improving patient outcomes. It will be targeted to more than 100 fellowship programs across the US.
The inaugural Fellowship Education Improvement and Innovation grant is taking applications through July 31.
Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE
