Community Connections

In most communities where medical device companies reside, opportunities abound to foster mutually beneficial relationships with community partners.

A banner from last year’s playground-building project in San Francisco, Calif., during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting. It’s an example of how good corporate citizenship not only fosters goodwill in the community, but also inspires employees. Photo courtesy of Pro-Dex Inc.

Consider local universities. Many colleges and universities will host department-specific events for their students. For example, the University of California-Irvine hosts a “Women in Engineering” dinner. By sponsoring and attending this dinner, Pro-Dex Inc. is able to network with intelligent engineering students and discuss opportunities for internships and even future employment. And students are introduced to new ways to apply their academic knowledge.

If a student is a match for an internship or an open employment position, their fresh perspectives can help a medical device company solve problems and stay abreast of new technology and trends being taught at the university. In addition, the students benefit by getting hands-on, real-world experience that they can apply to enhance their studies and future careers.

Many larger universities also have well-established surgical education centers. Connecting with these surgical centers offers a medical device company the opportunity to interact directly with surgeons. The medical device company can receive true feedback from the surgeons about what they look for when procuring a medical device, and the surgeons get the opportunity to communicate what elements of the manufacturers’ device works for them and what doesn’t.

The surgeons also are able to gain access to prototypes and acquire a better understanding of what goes into the development of a surgical device. In addition, access to the leading-edge technology coming out of the university enables the medical device company to develop more relevant devices that help the doctors improve patient outcomes.

Connecting with community partners and putting forth a strategic effort to contribute to their progress positions your medical device company as a reputable strategic partner that’s dedicated to giving back to its community.