The Polls are Open! America Votes to Decide Which Hospital is the Most Deserving of Siemens' Newest MRI Technology

Online Videos Created by Hospitals from Around the Country Appeal to the Masses in Siemens First-Ever Contest to Win a Free MRI 


MALVERN, Pa., Dec. 6  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For anyone who has ever wanted to give back to their community, but can't seem to find the time, now's your chance to make a big impact on a small local hospital with just one click of your mouse!  The video posting period in Siemens first-ever "Win an MRI" contest has closed.  The contest is a chance for rural and community hospitals (with fewer than 180 beds who do not have fixed MRI services) to win a free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system from Siemens Medical Solutions.  Now it's up to America to decide which hospital deserves to win the $800,000 Siemens MAGNETOM(R) Essenza by logging on to http://www.winanmri.com/ and casting a vote for the most deserving video by Dec. 31, 2007.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )

The MAGNETOM Essenza, which was introduced to the market in October 2007 and developed specifically for the small hospital market, is expected to help physicians deliver improved imaging services in neurology, orthopedics, body imaging, angiography, cardiology, breast imaging, oncology and pediatric imaging.

The "Win an MRI" contest included more than 100 hospitals nationwide that posted their most creative, humorous or emotionally appealing video to the campaign Web site.  The winner will be announced in January 2008.

"The response to this national contest has been extraordinary, ranging from the number of hospitals participating to the number of Americans logging on to vote," said Jeffrey Bundy, vice president, Magnetic Resonance Division, Siemens Medical Solutions.  "We want to encourage the public at large to continue to support their favorite contenders and help a hospital bring a new level of health care to its community."

Siemens Medical Solutions launched this contest on October 22nd, inviting health care facilities that met the contest criteria to display their creativity and dedication to patient care in brief, online videos, with the goal of providing a free MRI system to the most deserving hospital, as decided by the number of online votes.

Many rural and community hospitals do not have a permanent, on-site MRI system - a cornerstone of diagnostic imaging technology.  This means that many patients will often choose to drive hours to get needed MRI services if they are not available locally.  The winner of this contest will be able to provide a new level of medical service, allowing patients in the community to receive the diagnostic imaging services they need in a timely fashion.

The lowest-cost new system available today, the MAGNETOM Essenza boasts 1.5-Tesla magnet strength.  It generates high-resolution images that will help clinicians make a more precise diagnosis and could eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming follow-up exams.

About Siemens Medical Solutions

Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry.  The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration.  With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Medical Solutions will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services.  The company delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care.  Siemens Medical Solutions employs more than 48,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries.  In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of euro 9.85 billion, orders of euro 10.27 billion, and group profit of euro 1.32 billion (preliminary figures, unaudited).  Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/medical. 

DATASOURCE: Siemens Medical Solutions



CONTACT:  Mark Palacio of Siemens Medical Solutions, [phone],





Web site:  http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical 

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