LENEXA, Kan., Oct. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mediware Information Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:MEDW) named James F. Burgess as its new president and chief executive officer. He replaces George Barry who last May announced his plan to leave the company this month. Mr. Barry has agreed to remain with the company as an advisor during a transition period.
"This is an exciting time for Mediware," said Lawrence Auriana, Mediware's chairman of the board. "Our clinical software solutions in Blood Bank, Medication Management and Surgery are market leaders. Given James' broad experience in healthcare information systems, we have selected the ideal candidate to lead Mediware."
Burgess brings more than 20 years of experience in information technology to his position at Mediware. He has an extensive background in strategic planning, business development, acquisitions, and technology-based operations. Prior to joining Mediware, Burgess was vice president and general manager of 3M Health Information Systems, which provides clinically based software and information systems to over 4,000 healthcare organizations worldwide.
While at 3M Burgess led a staff of 650 employees. During his five-year tenure at the HIS unit, sales more than doubled, and operating income increased five-fold. Burgess built 3M's Health Information Systems unit into a $215 million revenue business.
Burgess said, "Mediware has a powerful suite of products and a strong team. Its best-of-breed solution provider strategy allows us the flexibility to address the critical technology needs of the healthcare industry. It will be very rewarding to have the opportunity to build on Mediware's past success."
Prior to service at 3M, Burgess was vice president of information technology solutions at VHA, Inc. of Irving, Texas, a group purchasing organization for more than 2,200 U.S. hospitals and other treatment facilities. VHA sources more than $10 billion annually in supplies and equipment for its members.
Burgess got his start in the health information systems industry during a 14-year career at IBM, which he joined fresh out of college in 1980.
About Mediware
Mediware provides clinical information systems for hospitals and integrated healthcare delivery systems. Its products include HCLL(tm) Transfusion, HCLL(tm) Donor, LifeTrak(r), IIE(tm) (Instrument Interface Engine), Hemocare(r), LifeLine(tm) (Blood Bank), WORx(r), MediCOE(tm), MediMAR(tm), Pharmakon(r) and Digimedics(tm) (Medication Management), Surgiware(tm) and Perioperative Solutions(tm) (Operating Room), as well as the JAC Stock Control System (pharmacy) in the United Kingdom. Mediware has over 1,100 systems installed in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and elsewhere.
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Act") and in releases made by the SEC from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005, which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update its forward-looking statements.