[b]For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Jasmine Fielding
781-684-0770
The American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) Establishes the Kelly McManus Memorial Award[/b]
Award To Recognize Outstanding Home Hemodialysis Nurse In Memory of Former NxStage Medical Employee
LAWRENCE, Mass., September 20, 2006 – NxStage Medical, Inc., a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative dialysis systems for the treatment of end-stage renal disease and acute kidney failure, announced today that the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) has established the Kelly McManus Memorial Award, named in memory of the former NxStage employee who lost her battle with cancer in April 2006.
This annual award will recognize an outstanding ANNA nurse who has far surpassed his or her job requirements in providing care to patients who receive daily home hemodialysis. It is being named after Kelly McManus, RN, a former home hemodialysis nurse, who epitomized the commitment, integrity, passion for patient care, and professionalism that is shown at the highest level of nursing care in the home hemodialysis industry. Nominations are open to nurses who have demonstrated a deep commitment and competence in the training and care of home hemodialysis patients.
According to Jeff Burbank, President and CEO of NxStage, “Kelly inspired everyone she touched with her genuinely caring nature and passion for helping others. NxStage is pleased to partner with ANNA, the leading nephrology nursing organization, in establishing this award, and hopes it will enhance the recognition of other nursing professionals who demonstrate the values of kindness, compassion and dedication Kelly possessed.”
Ms. McManus began her career as a nurse working with patients undergoing dialysis treatment before moving to sales at Baxter Healthcare Corporation and eventually joining NxStage Medical, Inc. as Western Region Sales Director. Kent Taylor, a former co-worker and current Central Region Sales Director at NxStage, recalls, “I watched as she rose through the ranks of nursing, sales and her various roles in management; yet never seeming to lose what led to her success - which was her natural way of caring, taking time to listen, and general easy going manner. Kelly will be missed terribly, but her inspiration will stay with us, and this award will be a very meaningful way to recognize others who also demonstrate the values that she showed every day.”
All nominations for the 2006 Kelly McManus Memorial Award must be received by ANNA by October 15, 2006. To be nominated, a nurse must be a current full member of ANNA for two years prior to the application deadline date. More information on the award can be found on the ANNA website, http://www.annanurse.org.
Specific criteria, nomination instructions, and a nomination form for the Kelly McManus Memorial Award can be found at the following website: http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744054&ss_id=536873288&tName=achievementAwards>http://www.annanurse.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ANNANurse.woa/wa/viewSection?s_id=1073744054&ss_id=536873288&tName=achievementAwards.
The Kelly McManus Memorial Award winner will be announced During ANNA’s 38th annual National Symposium, which will be held April 22-25, 2007, in Dallas, TX, and will receive a plaque of recognition and a $2000 award, sponsored by NxStage Medical.
About ANNA
The mission of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) is to advance nephrology nursing practice and positively influence outcomes for patients with kidney or other disease processes requiring replacement therapies through advocacy, scholarship, and excellence.
Since it was established as a nonprofit organization in 1969, ANNA has been serving members who span the nephrology nursing spectrum. ANNA has a membership of over 11,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals at all levels of practice. Members work in such areas as disease management, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement therapies, transplantation, industry, and government/regulatory agencies.
About NxStage Medical
NxStage Medical, Inc. is a medical device company, headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA, that develops, manufactures and markets innovative dialysis systems for the treatment of end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, and acute kidney failure. For more information on NxStage and its products, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nxstage.com/url].