COLUMBUS, Ohio - The OhioHealth Research & Innovation Institute (OHRI) announced that OhioHealth physician-innovator, Alice Epitropoulos, MD, has been named the"Outstanding Woman in Technology" for 2008 by TechColumbus.
TechColumbus, a Columbus based organization dedicated to promoting technology development in the community, annually recognizes Central Ohio individuals and companies for their outstanding achievements in technology leadership. This year, 13 organizations and companies were recognized from a record number of nominees at a ceremony held last week at the Columbus Convention Center.
"It is truly an honor to win this award and I am equally honored to be associated with such a great group of women who are passionate about science and technology," said Epitropoulos, a cataract and refractive surgeon with Ophthalmic Surgeons and Consultants and Medical Director of Epico LLC."It is important for women to be involved in research and help find solutions to problems that impact our lives and our community."
Dr. Epitropoulos invented and patented the EpiGlare Tester, a medical device to document visual disability caused by glare from sunlight or headlights. This will be particularly useful in measuring disabling glare in patients who are bothered by cataracts.
The technology has the potential to play a crucial role in improving clinical care and to address a multi-billion dollar public safety issue.
The OHRI Commercialization team worked with Dr. Epitropoulos to evaluate the business opportunity for the EpiGlare Tester and to present it to TechColumbus. The project won a $50,000 TechGenesis grant from TechColumbus that will be used advance the development and marketing of the EpiGlare Tester.
"Having the idea for a new device is one thing," said Epitropoulos,"but getting it off of the drawing board and into development so that it can help physicians and patients is a whole other skill set. Working with OhioHealth, OHRI and TechColumbus has helped me bring my invention to life."
"OHRI provides the means for clinicians to pursue the development of new technology and other innovations that benefit patient care," said John Niles, director of OHRI.
"At OhioHealth, our physicians and associates provide patients with the highest levels of clinical quality and patient safety available. Their passion to improve the health of those we serve generates a constant cycle of innovation to redefine and improve quality healthcare for our patients."
Currently, Dr. Epitropoulos is conducting research on reducing astigmatism using a new device called the"Terry Astigmatome." She is the first doctor in the United States to use this device in the office to reduce astigmatism. She is also cofounder and Vice President of The Physicians Assurance Corporation (TPAC), a physician-owned health insurance company geared to provide stability in health insurance premiums for small and medium size businesses. She along with several other physicians in Central Ohio are devoted to finding a solution to the current health care crisis.
About the Innovation Awards
The TechColumbus Innovations Awards celebrate and honor individuals and teams in a variety of disciplines. Each category is an important component of the technology and innovation community. Receiving the top honor showcases an individual or team which is dramatically impacting Central Ohio and beyond. For more information, about TechColumbus, visit http://www.techcolumbusinnovationawards.org/
About OhioHealth
Named by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the"100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2007, 2008 and 2009. OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable, healthcare organization serving and supported by the community. Based in Columbus, Ohio, it is a family of 17 hospitals, 20 health and surgery centers, home-health providers, medical equipment and health service suppliers throughout a 46-county area. OhioHealth hospitals in central Ohio are Riverside Methodist Hospital, Grant Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital and Dublin Methodist Hospital. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.ohiohealth.com.
