News | October 2, 2008

DaVinci Center--World's Largest, Most Technologically Advanced Medical Training Lab And Conference Facility--Opens For Business

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DaVinci Center, a state-of-the-art medical training lab and conference facility designed for the testing and teaching of the healthcare industry's latest clinical technologies and techniques, officially opened its doors for business in Miami today, with a kickoff party featuring internationally reputed surgeons and health industry luminaries eager to see the first-of-it's-kind facility.

The privately owned DaVinci Center houses the largest fully operational wet lab in the world – a 40-station wet bio skills training area incorporating more than 9000 square feet, scalable for smaller groups and procedures. There is an innovative automated saline flow and direct waste drain system that is centralized throughout the lab.

Beyond the lab, DaVinci Center also contains a large 100-seat hi-tech theatre-style auditorium and two technologically equipped boardrooms. It also boasts a full presentation kitchen with an award winning gourmet chef, and separate spa-style men's and women's locker rooms for changing and storage.

"It's been a long road leading to the opening of DaVinci Center, and we couldn't be more proud of our accomplishments here," said Al Weinstein, the Center's co-founder and CEO. "We received input from many of the world's leading surgeons and medical technology minds to come up with a Center that would satisfy the broadest range of demands. From the outset we wanted no ordinary training facility, but a comprehensive, safe and groundbreaking destination where healthcare leaders can feel comfortable developing, teaching and testing the future gold standards of medical care. We feel we've met and exceeded our goals."

"From the outset, the DaVinci Center was envisioned as a cutting-edge and technologically ‘first in class' facility," said Alejandra Badia, M.D., a co-founder of DaVinci Center. "Every aspect of the Center's planning and construction has been considered, with room for growth and technological advancements. No detail was spared. Due to its airport proximity in cosmopolitan Miami, the DaVinci Center is also ideally suited for training foreign surgeons in new procedures, via both industry sponsored courses as well as surgical societies of all subspecialties looking for a destination type facility that can advance the skills of their membership. Translation facilities and the multilingual staff will help make DaVinci, and Miami in general, an epicenter for worldwide surgeon continuing education and innovation."

"Through the DaVinci Center we hope to provoke innovative thought in the great minds of those instructing as well as those participating," said Center co-founder Thomas P. San Giovanni, M.D. "Innovative thought leads to improved procedures and ultimately improved outcomes in our patients – this is our fundamental goal in the development of this academic, international learning center."

"Not only is our facility on the cutting edge of advanced surgical training and designed to be on the forefront as advances are made," said co-founder Keith Hechtman, M.D., "the structure is also built to weather the worst of storms with hurricane glass and back-up generators. The ambiance, acoustics, superior quality hand pieces and endoscopic equipment in addition to the generosity of space were planned to help surgeons relax, enjoy and retain the learning experience."

"Surgical procedures are evolving rapidly," said Center co-founder John W. Uribe, M.D. "They are becoming less invasive and more technical -- making continued hands-on training essential. The Da Vinci Center is the ideal environment to provide this training and in the perfect location, Miami, to attract surgeons from around the world."

"The Da Vinci Center was created with the specific objective of changing the way continuing medical education is delivered," said co-founder Charlie Bourland. "We will be much more than just the world's largest didactic laboratory. We have a unique opportunity here to recreate educational experiences for surgeons which will improve their patient outcomes."

DaVinci Center will begin hosting innovative medical procedures, technologies, instruments and techniques starting next month.

MEDIA: To book a guided, hands-on tour of the DaVinci Center, receive photographs or arrange interviews, please contact Paul Williams at 949/916-6880 or via medialine2@aol.com. Additional information is also available at www.davincicenter.com.

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