In brief: VGM organizes, Pride wins

WATERLOO, Iowa - The VGM Group will sponsor a town hall meeting Dec. 19 in response to president-elect Barack Obama's call for community healthcare discussions, it announced last week. VGM has invited U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), and state Sen. Bruce Braley (D-1st district). Also invited: area hospital administrators, referral sources, physicians and Medicare beneficiaries. "We are concerned about a number of issues that will be facing the new administration and the American people, and are happy to participate in the conversation about healthcare reform," stated Van Miller, founder and CEO, in a release. Pride Mobility: A "Best Place to Work" EXETER, Pa. - Pride Mobility Products has been named one of the "Best Places to Work in PA" for the 6th year in a row, the manufacturer announced last week. Among large-sized companies, it placed 40th out of 50 companies. Additionally, it was one of only two companies headquartered in northeast Pennsylvania to make this year's list. Pride pointed to strong employee compensation and benefits as one of the reasons it earned the award. Each year, "Best Places to Work in PA," a public/private partnership between various organizations, evaluates each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophies, systems and demographics, and conducts a survey to measure employee satisfaction. O&P still exempt from accreditation BALTIMORE - CMS issued another clarification last week about who is and isn't exempt from becoming accredited by Sept. 30, 2009. Those who are exempt include physicians, registered nurses, physical and occupational therapists, physician assistants and speech pathologists. At this time, orthotists and prosthetists are also exempt, but CMS expects to define how the quality standards apply to them in 2009. Pedorthists and mastectomy fitters are not exempt. DDI debuts new Web site CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Diagnostic Devices, Inc. (DDI) announced last week that it has revamped its Web site with improved navigation, detailed information about its blood glucose meters, a "Living Well with Diabetes" page and testimonials from satisfied customers. Mabis goes direct WAUKEGAN, Ill. - Mabis DMI Healthcare has launched an e-commerce Web site, it announced last week. The Web site, www.mabisdmi.com, makes more than 2,000 products available online, including replacement parts. Features of the Web site include multiple buyers per account, order history, multiple ship-to locations, account management and advance product search. It also allows consumers to download instruction manuals, quick start guides and other product information. Freedom Lift becomes Freedom Sciences GREEN LANE, Pa. - Freedom Lift now operates as Freedom Sciences, the manufacturer of mobility products announced last week. To reflect the change, it has debuted a new logo "designed to communicate that Freedom Sciences is an American company dedicated to utilizing American engineering and innovation."