SpineMark Receives Frost & Sullivan 2008 Orthopedic Research Customer Value Enhancement Award

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Aug. 19, 2008 -- SpineMark Corporation, a spine care services organization, has received the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Enhancement Award in Orthopedic Research. This award is presented each year to the company that has demonstrated more innovative value creation and enhancement strategies than competing businesses, as determined by Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices team of industry experts.

SpineMark's business model includes developing spine Centers of Excellence and Spine Research Organizations through hospital and physician partnerships, and managing clinical research trials and hosting surgical trainings on behalf of medical device companies. The company's unique approach to advancing the treatment of spinal disorders through the formation of a network of industry experts was a deciding factor in the Frost & Sullivan team's decision. 

"SpineMark Corporation plays an innovative and vital role in the market, and is helping to transform the standard of spine care," said Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Archana Swathy.

Established in 2004, SpineMark is focused on patient and physician satisfaction, customer service and quality.  The company's goal is to improve the quality of life for patients afflicted with spinal disorders and injuries and expand access to advanced treatment options.

SpineMark's three main business units - SpineMark Centers of Excellence, SpineMark Clinical Research Organization Management and the SpineMark Medical Conference Center - work together to foster advancements in treatments and technology through research, collaboration and education.

"We are honored to receive this prestigious award as validation of our efforts and commitment to improving the quality of life for patients suffering with spine injuries," said Marcy T. Rogers, M.Ed., president and CEO of SpineMark.   

About Frost & Sullivan Best Practices

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

In order to select an award recipient, analysts quantify several market factors for each market participant according to predetermined criteria. Through primary and secondary research methods, all companies' customer value and service strategies are tracked. When a company demonstrates proactive strategies to create increased value for customers, which in turn leads to increased penetration, it is a candidate for the Customer Value Enhancement Award.

The key differentiators of a Customer Value Enhancement Award from a traditional Customer Service Award are that:

1. it is a proactive function rather a reactive function
2. it focuses on value creation and enhancement rather than simply ensuring client satisfaction
3. it focuses on maximizing the ROI of the investment customers make in a company's products or services rather simply providing after sales support and service

This Award recognizes the degree to which the company's strategies have met customers' stated needs and requirements.  Such innovation is expected to significantly improve customer interaction and contribute to customer value.

For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards, please visit http://www.awards.frost.com/.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.awards.frost.com/.

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