KCI Honors Dr. Louis Argenta with Research-Based Fellowship and Scholarship

"Dr. Argenta's pioneering work created a real opportunity to globally change the standard of care in wound therapy," said Catherine Burzik, KCI president and CEO. "The people of KCI are privileged to honor his accomplishments with an enduring commitment to research in this important area of medicine."

Dr. Argenta and his colleague, Dr. Michael Morykwas, both from Wake Forest Baptist's Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, studied the effect of treating hard-to-heal wounds with sub-atmospheric pressure. They published landmark articles on the studies in 1997, and their work is the foundation of KCI's signature V.A.C.(R) Therapy, which has delivered unparalleled outcomes globally for millions of patients with wounds.

The Dr. Louis Argenta Faculty Research Fellowship will, over a five-year period, annually award a surgeon $40,000 to help establish an independent research program on wound care. The Dr. Louis Argenta ACS International Guest Scholarship focuses on the education of practicing surgeons through the ACS Clinical Congress. The scholarship also offers an $8,000 stipend each year to a surgeon between the ages of 35 and 45 from a country outside North America. The five-year annual award will allow the surgeon to participate in that year's ACS Clinical Congress and visit a U.S. academic institution for further education in advancing wound care. The international scholarship helps honor the impact of Dr. Argenta's fellowship in Paris and his membership in the International Society of Surgery.

Remaining grant monies will go toward the ACS's administration of the scholarship and fellowship.

"I'm deeply honored by this educational grant in my name," said Argenta. "I've spent the better part of my career in education and research with a deep sense of personal fulfillment and professional accomplishment. It's rewarding to know that my name will be attached to ongoing research and education regarding a discipline as life-changing as wound care."

About KCI

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:KCI) is a leading global medical technology company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care, tissue regeneration and therapeutic support system markets. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI's success spans more than three decades and can be traced to a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving the healing and the lives of patients around the world.

The company employs 6,700 people and markets its products in more than 20 countries. For more information about KCI, and how its products are changing the practice of medicine, visit www.KCI1.com.

About Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (www.wfubmc.edu) is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Brenner Children's Hospital, Wake Forest University Physicians, and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university's School of Medicine and Piedmont Triad Research Park. The system comprises 1,056 acute care, rehabilitation and long-term care beds and has been ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report since 1993. Wake Forest Baptist also holds the Gold Seal of Approval(TM) from the Joint Commission, the nation's esteemed standards-setting and accrediting body for health care quality. Wake Forest Baptist is ranked 32nd in the nation by America's Top Doctors for the number of its doctors considered best by their peers. The institution ranks in the top third in funding by the National Institutes of Health and fourth in the Southeast in revenues from its licensed intellectual property.

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 75,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

SOURCE: Kinetic Concepts, Inc.

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