Medical Technology Veterans Program Kicks Off at AdvaMed2012 in Boston

Medical Technology Veterans Program Kicks Off at AdvaMed2012 in BostonBoston—AdvaMed 2012: The MedTech Conference—October 1, 2012—The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) today announced the launch of the Medical Technology Veterans Program (MVP) Boot Camp for Returning Heroes, a year-long career training and mentorship program designed to help veterans returning to the civilian workforce make the transition to jobs in the medical technology (medtech) and diagnostics industries. Twenty-five Heroes from across the country were selected to participate in the inaugural program held in conjunction with AdvaMed 2012: The MedTech Conference, which takes place October 1 to 3, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

"The MVP is unique as it offers the opportunity for veterans to pursue long-term growth in the medtech industry," said Michael R. Minogue, chairman, president and CEO of Abiomed and chairman of the MVP.
"The Boot Camp for Returning Heroes, which enables selected veterans to acquire job-related tools and skills for employment in the industry, is just the first step. We are dedicated to the longevity of this program and are excited to announce the launch of an online web portal, which will serve as a clearinghouse for all interested veterans to network and pursue future careers in our thriving industry."

The latest monthly jobs report shows that veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan face an unemployment rate of nearly 11 percent, 50 percent higher than the U.S. population at large. The diverse medtech industry offers a variety of job opportunities with tremendous potential for career advancement at pay levels that are generally above the national average.

"The goal of the MVP is to help returning veterans find jobs in the medtech industry, which we think is a unique American success story. It's an industry built on innovation,"said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of AdvaMed, "and its focus on improving the lives of patients around the world makes it an industry well-suited for veterans looking to find meaningful career opportunities."

The 25 MVP Heroes hail from across the U.S., including Massachusetts, California, Texas, Georgia and Virginia, and represent the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines. Twenty-five percent are women and 52 percent were wounded or disabled during their service. The Heroes will spend three days in Boston learning about opportunities in the medical device industry and attending career development workshops that explore military skill translation, resume writing, networking techniques and interviewing tips.

Each veteran in the program will also be assigned a mentor who is a fellow veteran currently working in the medtech industry. This year's mentors represent job functions ranging from sales and customer support to operations, human resources, manufacturing and R&D, as well as C-level executives at leading medical device companies, including Abiomed, Haemonetics, Boston Scientific, Covidien and Philips Healthcare. Mentors will provide advice and guidance throughout the transition process.

Following the MVP Boot Camp, an online networking portal—MedicalTechnologyVeterans.org—will launch as a virtual community for veterans interested in transitioning into the medtech industry and serving a new mission to help patients. Thousands of veterans working in the industry will have the opportunity to sign up in order to directly network with interested veterans. In addition, the portal will offer learning opportunities, job openings, mentoring and other resources for those who create a profile. The site will be open to veterans looking for medtech jobs, industry professionals interested in volunteering as mentors, company recruiters, and more.

This training program gives veterans access to industry executives, HR representatives and mentors. After completing this intensive program, MVP Heroes will have a thorough understanding of the opportunities available in the industry, gain meaningful connections and a strong professional network, and will be better prepared for exciting careers in medical technology. This program is supported by military veterans and other donors.