Nominations for INNO-VATOR of the Year award now being accepted

Medical Main Street, powered by Oakland County, is seeking nominations for its 2014 "INNO-VATOR of the Year" award, County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced recently. It honors the creators of a medical device which demonstrates the most dramatic change in the health care industry in Michigan. The award will be given on Oct. 22 during Medical Main Street's INNO-VENTION 2014 Conference in Novi. The deadline to submit an entry is Sept. 5. Forms and conference registration can be found at MedicalMainStreet.com. "The INNO-VATOR of the Year award shines a spotlight on leading-edge medical technology that is being produced right here in our region," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. Medical devices are used in the diagnosis and cure of disease and other conditions. To be considered for the award, the device must have been developed in Michigan, achieved prototype development and validation, and incorporate a game-changing innovation. HistoSonics of Ann Arbor, MI was named 2013 INNO-VATOR of the Year for its Vortx Rx®; a medical device which uses sound energy to treat tissue inside the body without the need for traditional surgery. Chris Gibbons, president of HistoSonics, stated "The INNO-VATOR of the Year award has given HistoSonics greater visibility in the industry. To receive an award like this from such a well-recognized organization like Medical Main Street gives us increased credibility and attracts potential investors. The INNO-VENTION conference was so well attended that it provided us plenty of opportunities for networking." INNO-VENTION 2014 is set for Oct. 21-22 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Information on the conference can be found at MedicalMainStreet.com. The conference, with the Medical Main Street Network, builds valuable relationships and productive collaborations in the Southeast Michigan region and globally. Medical Main Street was created in 2008 by L. Brooks Patterson along with the area's leaders in health care, research and development, education and industry. INNO-VENTION 2013 attracted more than 600 health professionals, clinicians, investors and suppliers. A global audience of more than 95,000 people was reached through social media in the United States, Europe, Asia and Canada. This year's conference includes: - Demonstration Alley exhibitors. - Expanded Commercialization Competition. - Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Pure Michigan Business Connect-matchmaking with purchasing agents from major health care providers. - Concurrent industry break-out sessions on Oct. 22. - Networking reception on Oct. 21. - The INNO-VATOR of the Year Award luncheon. Part of this year's conference will also be live streamed. The Medical Main Street board includes Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Beaumont Health System, Beckman Coulter Molecular Diagnostics, Crittenton Hospital, DMC Huron Valley Hospital, Ferndale Laboratories, Henry Ford Health Systems, Housey Pharmaceuticals, McLaren Health Care, MichBio, State Rep. Gail Haines, R-Waterford, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, Oxus Inc., Rockwell Medical Technologies, St. John Providence Health System and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. For additional information on how to get involved, conference sponsorships, and programming from INNO-VENTION 2014, visit MedicalMainStreet.com. Published: Thu, Jul 24, 2014