The Continuing Saga of Stents Versus Heart Bypass Surgery....

An interesting study was in the news this week and thought I'd share a video version of it from MSNBC NEWS. Worth viewing!

Also, I've included links to the AP Article, Heart Bypass Better than Stents, Study Says as well as the Report from New England Journal of Medicine, Drug-Eluting Stents vs. Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting in Multivessel Coronary Disease.

Ralph E. Jordan
CEO & President

A Few Thoughts about Growth: Organic versus Mergers & Acquisitions

Few companies in our industry can tout having 20 years under the same ownership, especially in today's global economy so rich in technology and fast-changing in leadership. Yet, TRIDENT HEALTH RESOURCES, INC. marches forward to celebrate its 20th anniversary this spring. We're abreast of the latest technological advancements and new business entrants in the marketplace—but we still recognize that some things never change. We've persevered long because our name and reputation are our capstone. It's a corporate philosophy based on patient-focused care, never forgetting this is a relationship-building business and that our employees are our greatest assets. These are the values which sustain us and remain constant, whether it is the year 1977, 2007 or 2037.

Our management philosophy is empowering. While we centralize the operations from our home office, we enfranchise and trust our chiefs and managers to make clinical decisions that best meet the customer's needs. We do not have layers upon layers of middle managers to dilute messages from the field. To the contrary, our people have a direct link to the office. The key to our success is we trust our staff and they, in turn, trust us. Trident is one of the few companies which has letters of recommendation not only from hospitals we serve, but also from our employees (link to testimonials). Our culture is unique, and one which has been fostered since the company's inception.

Most companies grow in size from mergers and acquisitions because it can be a short cut to growth. TRIDENT has grown organically in recent years based on reputation and its position in the marketplace as a leader in perfusion management services for long-term and locums assistance, as well as capital equipment and disposables management services. It's our goal to continue organic growth; that's another thing that won't change.

TRIDENT will, however, consider expanding by merger or acquisition in appropriate scenarios in which synergy is discovered with another company having a similar culture as ours.

Companies interested in furthering discussions may contact me directly for a private and confidential consultation.

Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO

Auld Lang Syne & Some Thoughts about a Happy New Year

Does anyone know what Auld Lang Syne really means? And even if you don't, can you sing it? If your answer is the same as mine ("Not really" and "No"), why do we have such a difficult song as traditionally sung each New Year?

Let's reflect a moment… It's good stuff. Ah! There's a point here…

Auld Lang Syne means to acknowledge "times gone past" and the phrase has its roots in the 1700s in Scotland (I googled it.) I bring up Auld Lang Syne as topic to my first blog entry of the year for two reasons: (1) The past year was good at Trident Health Resources, Inc. (very good, actually) and I'm thankful for that. (2) Building on the past leads to greater success in the coming year.

There are new and exciting things forthcoming and I have a couple of announcements to make to the perfusion community at large. Within the next week Trident is launching its new state-of-the-art revamped interactive website. We've been at work long hours over the past few months for this—testing and fine-tuning the technology. We're expanding our internet presence to include educational resources, links to perfusion-related websites, access to our new database used by our team of professionals so that they have one entry point, etc. We're now also offering ad-banner opportunities to those who wish to participate to expand their reach for exposure within the industry.

But wait….there's more.

Coming Soon! Trident is hosting an online Perfusion Community designed to be a one-stop shop for perfusionists and professionals in the industry for the purpose of exchanging ideas and accessing important information. An official launch date for pefusioncommunity.com is near—very near—and we are diligently adding material to this interactive site as of this moment. Membership will be free and includes benefits such as individual blogs, chat functionality, and message exchanges in a forum of topical boards. A calendar will provide upcoming event information, and the latest news items, educational announcements and a comprehensive, international classified jobs section are among other items featured. Web banner advertising space will be available for sale, too.

I view the Perfusion Community to be work-in-progress which will be regularly enhanced and developed attuned to the wants and needs of its members. This, along with the new Trident website, is an exciting start to a new year. As such, it is with much enthusiasm I give thanks to the past, for it is from that which catapults us moving forward. Upon reflection and as is sung, "We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for Auld Lang Syne."

Please check back and let us know what you think of our new website, tridenthealth.com and our other new site (coming soon!) perfusioncommunity.com. We appreciate your feedback.

The best to each of you in 2008!

Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO