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Acusis Announces $600,000 Donation to Global Links; Company Calls on Local Healthcare Community to Support Reclamation of Medical Surplus
Acusis Announces $600,000 Donation to Global Links; Company Calls on Local Healthcare Community to Support Reclamation of Medical Surplus
Published 01-14-05
Submitted by Global Links
"This generous donation from Acusis moves us closer to securing a much-needed, larger, warehouse and office space in Pittsburgh," said Kathleen Hower, executive director of Global Links. "By combining our current warehouse in McKeesport and office space in Bloomfield/Garfield, we will be able to realize far greater operational efficiencies and opportunities for growth."
Expansion of Global Links' operations benefits both Pittsburgh companies and recipients in developing countries, notes Hower. With an expanded infrastructure, Global Links will have the potential to process more items from additional local sources and ship them, when and where they are most needed. Literally tons of medical surplus supplies from the region end up in landfills or incinerators, needlessly adding to the pollution problem and the cost of healthcare.
"With this donation, Acusis is calling on our neighbors in the local healthcare community to unite in support of the reclamation of all medical surplus from our region through Global Links," said David Iwinski Jr., president and chief executive officer, Acusis. "Global Links is one of our region's incredibly valuable assets. We believe that many additional healthcare organizations in our community, including hospitals, physician practice groups, pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment manufacturers, can join together with Acusis to help Global Links achieve its mission."
Although Global Links' outreach may not be widely known locally, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO), has conveyed to Global Links that because of its work and the contributions it receives in Pittsburgh, it is emerging as a model internationally for the effective collection and distribution of surplus medical supplies.
Hower notes that this recognition is primarily due to the care that Global Links takes to send recipients in the world's poorest countries only what they need. Even with the best of intentions, inappropriate donations to hospitals in need can be more of a burden if the recipients must return, redirect or dispose of unusable materials. Hower added that in 2005, PAHO will more formally recognize the work of Global Links in Pittsburgh.
"Through careful cost containment and with the help of volunteers, Global Links is able to translate an investment of $600,000 into an average of $12 million worth of medical aid each year, which is a 20-fold return on investment. This demonstrates how contributions to Global Links can make a tremendous difference in saving lives every day. It is our hope that more local companies in our industry get involved with this very important organization," said Bill Benter, chairman, Acusis.
About Acusis(R)
Acusis(R), a leading provider of outsourced medical transcription services with Higher Standards(SM), specializes in superior performance, integrity, and world class service. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Acusis delivers an integrated solution to hospitals, clinics and large physician practices. AcuSuite(R), its web-based software application uses a secure method to manage the entire transcription process. Acusis delivers accurate reports within a tailored 24-hour or less turnaround. A global team of more than 600 highly trained Acusis associates provides an unparalleled Higher Standard of excellence and customer satisfaction at the most competitive prices, evidence of why you should expect more from your transcription service provider.
About Global Links
Global Links is a not-for-profit organization that recovers surplus medical materials from U.S. hospitals and makes it available to hospitals that serve the poorest members of society in less developed countries. Since 1989, it has channeled medical materials worth more than $110 million to more than 70 countries around the world, with a concentration in the Caribbean and Latin America. For more information on Global Links, visit www.globallinks.org or call 412.361.3424.
About PAHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with 100 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.
