Physician Nutrition Summit

Our own Mark DeLegge, MD recently attended the Physician Nutrition Summit that addressed physician shortages in the practice of nutrition in the United States.  This was a follow-up conference from the inaugural meeting on this topic in 2009, which had 41 participants.  Both of these meetings were sponsored by Abbott Nutrition and organized by the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.  The proceedings from that conference were published in the recent November 2010 supplement of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.  Dr. DeLegge was a lead or participating author in three of the summit’s articles in this supplement.

This recent meeting took place in December of 2010 in Chicago and brought back many of the original participants of last year’s summit in Orlando.  Numerous societal organizations were represented such as the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Society of Bariatric Medicine, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Dietetic Association and the American Medical Association.  Dr. DeLegge was one of four program chairs and led discussions focused on how to measure success of an intervention to solve the problem of physician shortage and what are the next steps to take to achieve this goal.  The group as a whole flushed out issues of the group’s overall mission, the governance structure and the appropriate partners the group needed to establish to achieve its goals of approving physician attraction to the field of nutrition.  In addition, the group was going to focus on measuring the problems of over-nutrition in the community and under-nutrition in the hospital as a mechanism of establishing the reason why more physicians are needed in nutrition support.  Plans were made for an annual meeting and intermittent conference calls to ensure all members remained organized to the success of the project.

For more information on the Physician Nutrition Summit:

Notes from the 2009 Summit in Orlando

Release of position papers for this year’s Summit in Chicago

What Are You Doing With YOUR Idea???

We here at DeLegge Medical have been using the 37signals suite of customer relationship management tools for the past few months. If you have not had a chance to check out their web-based CRM programs (www.37signals.com), we highly suggest you give them a look!

The founder of 37signals, Jason Fried, has written a great little book called Rework. One of the major messages in the book is the "start making something" factor. How many of you out there have an idea? A grand master plan that is bouncing around in you brain? Have you put anything into action yet? What's holding you back?

Fried states, "Think your idea's that valuable? Then go try to sell it and see what you get for it. Not much is probably the answer. Until you start making something, your brilliant idea is just that, an idea. And everyone's got one of those." The DeLegge Medical Technology Accelerator is designed to help you get to that next step: Making Something. We can assist with IP Protection, Prototype Development and Testing, Market Analysis and any other needs you have to get your idea out of your head and on the table.

Remember, "Ideas are cheap and plentiful. The original pitch idea is such a small part of a business that it's almost negligible. The REAL question is how well you execute. Contact us today at 877-971-6202 or Steven@DeLeggeMedical.com to get your idea off the ground and running today!

On the Road in Brussels

Dr. Mark H. DeLegge just returned from Brussels, Belgium where he attended and helped lead a multi-country conference on nutrition treatments of hospitalized patients. This event was coordinated through Baxter Healthcare and physicians from Poland, Slovakia, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Bulgaria, Russia and the United States were represented.

A large emphasis of the conference was to examine different practices with regards to nutrition intervention in critically-ill, hospitalized patients. Different practices included early enteral nutrition, supplemental parenteral nutrition, high nitrogen prescribing and the validity of energy:nitrogen ratio in the treatment of hospitalized patients. There were reviews presented regarding these important concepts and a discussion of the variation in practices between countries, often based on historical practice.

Case presentations of actual complicated patients were presented, with input from the group and the leaders surrounding appropriate care and getting to a “best practice.” Dr. DeLegge presented information regarding current practices, new data which is helping to define our future practice and an examination of the gaps in research that need to be filled to allow us to improve our practice. A decision was made to continue this conference in future years.

A Great Time in the Upstate

What a great few days in the Upstate!

DeLegge Medical spent Wednesday and Thursday at the 6th Annual SC MedTech Entrepreneurship & Industry Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, S.C. We had an opportunity to meet with a number of great like-minded medical technology folks from around the state and presented our new Lowcountry Medical Technology Accelerator project to the attendees at the conference. It was a wonderful chance to catch up with fellow colleagues that we have not worked with recently and build some new connections with companies that are just starting up in the Palmetto State.

Special thanks to Matt Gevaert, Jennifer Noel and the rest of the planning committee for organizing such a successful event! We look forward to seeing everyone throughout the year and at next year's event as well.

SC MedTech Entrepreneurship & Industry Conference

DeLegge Medical will be at the 6th Annual SC MedTech Entrepreneurship & Industry Conference on Thursday, November 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, S.C.  Dr. Mark DeLegge will make a presentation at the conference on our new Lowcountry Medical Technology Accelerator.

The 2010 SC MedTech Entrepreneurship & Industry Conference is South Carolina's annual event focusing on the creation and growth of medical device and technology business opportunities. Now in its 6th year, this meeting has become the annual one-stop shop to meet and connect with biomedical, clinical and regulatory professionals including technical entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academics.

2010 marks the first year the conference will be supported and managed by the South Carolina MedTech Industry Council. This newly formed, industry-led Council's mission is to foster a competitive business environment in South Carolina for medical device companies beginning at conceptualization. This conference will help to support the growth and success of the medtech industry in South Carolina by increasing the industry's effectiveness and by encouraging cooperation and the exchange of information.

If you are interested in the Lowcountry Medical Technology Accelerator and cannot make it to the SC MedTech Entrepreneurship & Industry Conference, please contact us at 877-971-6202 for more information.

SE BIO Investor Forum - Atlanta, GA

SeBIO was held this week in Atlanta’s Buckhead area. This meeting is intended to put developing medical technology in biotech, diagnostics and medical devices on stage in front of a significant number of venture capitalist groups. Often the technologies are in a very early stage or even loosely held concepts, creative but risky. The enthusiasm of inventors has not wavered even in times of very cautious financial treading. Inventors and entrepreneurs still bring in their prototypes and optimistically display their wares. But the venture gap is upon us.

The inventor in the Southeast is unaware in most cases that the Greek economy just scared a venture “turtle” back into its shell. More pressure and focus is put on the regulatory pathway and reimbursement than on a clever design. Awkwardly, the inventor becomes the CEO writing five-pound business plans and exploring Medicare and insurance issues. The game has indeed changed. For many medical technologies, it is back to the old days of the friends and family investors, grant writing and angel funding. The venture gap is upon us. For those with the courage to step into a developing medical technology, the rewards could certainly be great. It is after all, supply and demand. With global and US political and capital market, stability will come and the venture investors return back into the early stages of technology. Meanwhile, chin up inventors! Keep the passion for saving lives and improving health care alive until the funding returns.

ACG 2010 San Antonio

The 2010 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course was held October 15-20 in San Antonio and the Hands-On Course was a success! Special thanks go to Martie Spath and Dr. David Greenwald for the time and efforts to provide a wonderful learning opportunity.The sponsors for the hands-on course should also be recognized for the collaborative effort put forth by all. Participation was excellent and the feedback from the attendees was well received.

There was also live audio/video feed that was broadcast throughout the Conference Center. We look forward to working with the ACG in the future and at their 2011 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on October 28-November 2!

Character in Medicine

This week we lost a great doctor, leader, mentor and friend in Gastroenterology, Dr. Yang Chen. His journey with cancer ended Friday, October 15th. It was only three years ago that Dr. Chen disappeared from the Saturday portion of his annual endoscopy hands-on course. It was then that he found out that he had stage 4 lung cancer. His fight to survive began that day.


Another journey also began that day. You see, that amazing scientist and physician found a mission in his cancer. He took it upon himself to speak to other scientists and health care professionals about Faith. Yes, Faith. Not something that is discussed among physicians and scientists very often. But if he could reach even one fellow professional, then his battle with cancer would mean something. His journey with cancer has inspired so many of us to remember why we are here, and to realize that we are not just colleagues, but a family of professionals who can make a real difference in each other’s lives and our walk in Faith. His “Doctor’s Journey with Cancer” website offers key insights into this man of great character. He was a blessing and he is in no doubt, a better place and cancer free.

http://www.adoctorsjourneywithcancer.net/HealthUpdate.aspx

The Physician-Inventor

There was a time when a physician with a penchant towards inventing could create something in the garage or basement and have a product to use for patient care in a short period of time.  Alternatively, one of the major device manufacturers, such as Cook or Boston Scientific, would take a special “phone order” to modify an existing product to meet a physician’s unique needs.  Late-night sketches on a cocktail napkin with the "next best endoscopic obesity device" were rampant.  It was a common occurrence for a physician to have an audience before a group of “new technology” committees at a major manufacturer to see if the “experts” believed the idea was sound.  Those days ….. sigh …. have disappeared.

Today, the physician-inventor needs to be a lot savvier and understand the nuances, roadblocks and tenacity of the medical device development process.  This is rarely a situation where the physician can “go it alone.”  A partner is required.

In order for a potential product to stand out, a number of important considerations need to be evaluated including:
1.     Market analysis
2.     Prototype development and cost
3.     Working prototype development and cost
4.     Regulatory requirements and limitations
5.     Cost and complexity to manufacture and cost to distribute
6.     Profit potential

In fact, in many arenas, the physician-inventor is required to carry the financial and regulatory burden through human trials before a device company will even begin to evaluate the technology.

DeLegge Medical is a unique organization whose mission is to assist in overcoming these obstacles.  This may be as simple as a market analysis or a small design modification for functionality, or as complex as creating a start-up company.  As physicians, we love to invent and our patients need our ideas.  A well thought out design plan is worth its weight in gold.

First Annual ACG Hands on Course

Fall is here! So is the first-ever ACG Hands-On Course.

We are so excited to be participating in the First Annual ACG Hands on Course.

Here is a link for more information:
http://www.acg.gi.org/acgmeetings/pdfs/2010_Hands-on_Workshop_brochure.pdf

New! Hands-on Workshop Center

Located in the Exhibit Hall, attend one or more of the 13 sessions to be offered and gain hands-on experience in Principles and Techniques of Expandable Stents, Mucosal Ablation, Bleeding Therapy, Advanced Imaging, and more. The Hands-on Workshop Center is free to all ACG 2010 attendees.

Get hands-on experience with equipment/devices from these following companies:

Apollo Endosurgery • Avantis • BARRx • Boston Scientific • CONMED • Cook Medical • CRH • CSA Medical • EndoChoice • ERBE • Fujinon • Ethicon EndoSurgery • Given Imaging • Olympus • PENTAX • Redfield • SandhillScientific • US Endoscopy

Robin King-Murray from here at DeLegge Medical will be working with the ACG to make this first-ever course a success!

New Week... Fresh Thoughts

"Whatever your work is, dignify it with your best thought and effort."
- Esther Baldwin York

It has been a busy week here at DeLegge Medical. Our new offices were completed and we have been getting things ready to open a new chapter in our company. We look forward to sharing the finished product with you in the next few weeks!

First Look Inside DeLegge Medical's New Headquarters and Training Center

We Have Walls!

The new DeLegge Medical Headquarters and Training Center is under construction and we hope to be moving in soon. The office location is in Mount Pleasant, SC, just a few miles away from historic downtown Charleston. Our new facility will house office space, as well as our own training center for hands-on instruction and continuing education. Our goal will be to offer weekly opportunities for hands-on training with our staff of professionals and potentially offer large-scale seminars in the future.

Look for more information regarding the training center in upcoming newsletters!

Training Center/Conference Area

Welcome Area/Marketing Office

Rear Office

Mark DeLegge leaves full-time post at MUSC to focus on continuing current growth at DeLegge Medical

On Friday, August 13, Dr. Mark DeLegge left his full-time post as Director of the Digestive Disease Center at the Medical University of South Carolina to become a full-time partner in the growing activities at DeLegge Medical.  Dr. Mark will remain on staff in a part-time clinical role at MUSC.  This move will not only enhance the capabilities of DeLegge Medical to provide the very best in consulting, education and design services, but reinforces the dedication of Dr. Mark to the continued growth of our company!

In a letter to the MUSC community, Dr. Mark wrote:

"... After many discussions with myself, my family, my colleagues and my mentors, I made a decision to reach out further and to create a career path that 'stretched' my abilities.  This decision incorporated my desire to increase my international medicine and business experience, foster new medical technology development and maintain my dedication to clinical experience and education in the area of nutrition and gastroenterology.

I am fortunate to be married to a bio-engineer with a long history of an established business in new medical device technology development, medical consulting and medical education.  Through Becky, I learned a whole new world over the past few years and became very versatile in the mechanics of medical device development.  DeLegge Medical has grown to be a recognized national leader in medical education, medical consulting and medical device development.  I saw DeLegge Medical as an opportunity to have the time and tools to partner with MUSC and Clemson University to create a premier medical device company in Charleston. 

At the same time, I was approached by Baxter Healthcare to serve as an international medical director with responsibility of assessing and assisting with operations of the implementation of new medical products and technologies in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia.  Many of these products from Baxter are nutrition-based, and this fell right into my area of expertise.  This was a tremendous opportunity to grow my international clinical experience and business skills. 

Finally, I remain dedicated to MUSC, the Digestive Disease Center and the GI Division. This is especially true in the area of nutrition.  With that, I will remain on as an MUSC Nutrition Medical Director and also work with Greg Buck, my trusted PA.  Mark Payne has graciously also allowed me to continue working in the outpatient/inpatient GI Division on a part-time basis.

All in all, I see a tremendous opportunity to broaden my experience, increase my capabilities and partner with MUSC to make a mark in the areas of new technology development, international medicine and nutrition."

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mark into his newly expanded role at DeLegge Medical and are excited for what the future holds for our company.  Feel free to contact Dr. Mark at his new e-mail address at DrMark@DeLeggeMedical.com.

Digestive Disease Week 2010 - New Orleans

Digestive Disease Week saw a number of our gastroenterology and industry colleagues presenting new ideas and concepts in gastroenterology. Mark and Becky spent a great deal of time with Endochoice and their new "stent line" using the DeLegge Medical model for ex-vivo training.

In addition, Robin Murray and Steven Rudnicki from DeLegge Medical provided expert pig lab and marketing leadership. The 2010 DeLegge Medical "stress pig" giveaway was a big hit. Mark and Becky also attended the ASGE Crystal Awards dinner as guests of Bracco Medical and Jeff Cushner. Mark had five presentations at the conference and they were received as "home runs." Mark discussed inflammatory bowel disease and nutrition, gastric bypass and nutrient abnormalities, opening a GI obesity practice, new technology in gastroenterology and the use of feeding tubes in pregnancy. We are looking forward to a productive 2010 and meeting again at DDW in 2011.

Australia

Dr. Mark DeLegge was a key note speaker at a number of hospitals and critical care conferences in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on a recent tour of Australia. He led a number of interactive discussions about improving the outcomes of critically ill patients by using nutrition as a specific therapy. His lectures were described as "top of the line" and "entertaining." Dr. DeLegge was invited back for a major nutrition conference in 2011.

University of Utah/ Brigham and Women's Advanced Endoscopy Course

This was the 15th year of the University of Utah/Brigham and Women's Advanced Endoscopy Course. This was our seventh year planning and organizing the hands-on portion of the course. We have enjoyed working with Drs Fang, Carr-Locke and Disario and their staff, Kevin and Beth, in planning this awesome event at the Canyons Resort in Park City. We, along with our exceptional vendors, work with to set up 10 hands-on endoscopy stations at the base of one of the best ski resorts in the Rockies. What an awesome place and opportunity for nurses, fellows and physicians to get their hands on the newest technology, as shown by the world's leading experts.

Saudi Arabia Trip

Mark DeLegge visited the cities of Jeddah, Suadi Arabia; Dammam, SA; Doha, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He lectured extensively on nutrition in the intensive care unit, the importance of the dietitian, physician, nurse and pharmacist working together to improve patient outcomes by nutritional support and the importance of recognizing opportunities for early enteral nutritional support in the critically ill and post-surgical patient. Mark toured major hospitals, interacted with physicians and clinicians from multiple hospitals and created opportunities for future dialogue exchange.

 

  

 

South Africa Trip

Mark DeLegge traveled to South Africa and visited the cities of Capetown and Blomfontein. There he participated in multi-day critical care nutrition conferences with multiple speakers from South Africa and the United States. The lectures focused on the importance of the dietitian and the well-trained nutrition physician in the intensive care unit. Mark made rounds with hospital teams in a variety of major hospitals with interactive teaching rounds to create a "give and take" environment where everyone learned. Many complicated clinical cases were presented during the conferences allowing for all the expert speakers to comment on what they would do.

 

 

American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition - Orlando, FL

Mark DeLegge organized a conference of physicians, pharmacists, dietitians and nurse leaders in nutrition in the United States overseen by the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition,  a leading US nutrition society. This conference was focused on solving the shortage of specialized nutrition trained physicians. Education, mentoring, research and clinical practice arenas were addressed. Mark was one of the four chairman who set up the conference. He lectured and wrote an article on the current state of resident education in nutrition and the mentoring process. The proceedings of the conference will be published in the Journal of Partenteral and Enteral Nutrition in 2010. A unanimous decision was made to create an intersociety (amongst many nutrition societies) physician consortium to continue to work on this very important issue.

Welcome to DeLegge Medical!

Welcome to DeLegge Medical! We are delighted that you have taken an interest in our company. Please check back soon for all of the latest information regarding upcoming trade shows, conferences, and all the other happenings here at DeLegge Medical.