New Hampshire Bio/Medical Council Announces Award Winners

PORTSMOUTH NH, October 9, 2009 -- The New Hampshire Bio/Medical Council honored industry, government and educational leaders at their gala annual awards dinner held at Wentworth-by-the-Sea Country Club. The event drew over 100 professionals from all over New England for cocktails, dinner, power networking and the awards ceremony all to the sounds of live big band jazz.

Paula Newton, president of the New Hampshire Bio/Medical Council and chairman of NEBA (New England Biotech Association), was the emcee for the evening. Speeches were delivered by Will Arvelo, President of Great Bay Community College, Commissioner George Bald of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, and Jackie Eastwood, founder of Salient Surgical Technologies (formerly TissueLink Medical) and keynote speaker for the event.

Jackie Eastwood’s keynote address was wildly entertaining as she reminisced about spending over a decade enduring Minnesota winters then moving back to New Hampshire “for the weather.” Her message was to stay encouraged, look for more than money from your investors, and to stay in New Hampshire. She went on to tell a story about a top shelf, venture capitalist from Silicon Valley who was too busy and too important to spend more than a few interrupted minutes on his cell phone at their prearranged investment briefing. She got up and walked out. He walked into a closet, accidentally. After finding other investors who were interested in partnering and sharing in her success, she co-founded TissueLink Medical now Salient Surgical Technologies, a publically traded company.

During the awards ceremony, the board of directors presented the following awards: Innovation Award to Salient Surgical Technologies accepted by Rick Alteri, CFO; Leadership Award to Gregg Fairbrothers and the Dartmouth Regional Technology Center accepted by Jonathan Gould, President; Up & Coming Award to Adimab, accepted by Gravin Barnard, an alliance manager for Adimab; Higher Education Award to Great Bay Community and Lin Tamulonis College, accepted by Lin Tamulonis;

Spirit & Inspiration awarded to Nancy Briefs of Elemé Medical, accepted by Robin Mendenhall; and the Conduit Award to Cynthia Harrington of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development.

The Council looks forward to continued momentum and enthusiasm from this event by professionals who have been waiting get more involved, network, and help each other grow life sciences in the state of New Hampshire. For more information visit: www.nhbiomed.org

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