Arthrex is pleased to announce it's been recognized as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association (AHA) for the fourth year in a row for the company's efforts in creating a culture of health in the workplace through progressive leadership and employee wellness initiatives.  

Fit-Friendly companies apply for certification as Platinum, Gold and Community Innovation award levels based on meeting specific criteria such as offering physical activity options at the worksite, providing nutritional education and healthy food options and promoting a general culture of health at the workplace.

“Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Arthrex,” said Arthrex Wellness Coordinator Monica Dubroja. “We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite once again. We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. Our partnership with AHA has helped facilitate our investment in comprehensive wellness programs for employees that encourage positive lifestyle changes and long-term results. In support of our commitment to employee wellness, Arthrex is proud to offer health-related educational opportunities as well as an on-site fitness program, gym membership reimbursement and healthy lunches prepared daily.

Arthrex has been recognized by the AHA as a Fit-Friendly Worksite for the past six years, beginning at the gold level in 2011 and 2012 and qualifying at the platinum level each year since 2013. 

As part of its corporate community mission of Making People Better, Arthrex is passionate about contributing to a stronger, healthier community, and the Fit-Friendly Worksites program has helped provide a catalyst for positive change. 

Arthrex hosted 91 orthopaedic fellows for the 7th Annual Sports Medicine Fellowship Forum JUne 2-3, and welcomed 83 more to the Inc. Medical Education Center for the second forum on June 9-10. The comprehensive medical education meetings presented the latest advancements in sports medicine to up-and-coming surgeons who have completed residency training and have elected to receive further training in subspecialties in orthopaedics.   

During the Sports Medicine Fellowship Forum, fellows had the opportunity to interact with their future colleagues as well as renowned Arthrex surgeon faculty members and Medical Education staff. Arthrex Founder and President Reinhold Schmieding gave an inspirational presentation on "What Makes an Exceptional Leader" to the fellows, highlighting how continuous learning and thinking outside the box are keys to success in orthopaedics.  

Fellowship Forum sessions include both didactic education and clinical practice in Arthrex’s state-of-the-art medical education wet labs to teach a variety of surgical techniques and key clinical and practice management skills. 

The fellows in attendance this year represented 87 sports medicine and shoulder fellowship programs from throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

“I don’t know any other company that does this for their employees,” shared Resolution Specialist Melissa Ritacco. “I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am to have an employer that allows me to do things with my family that I otherwise would not be able to do.

My mother and I have always been very close. We spent a lot of time together when she was here, and the kids were the best of friends. Several years ago, she and my niece moved to South Carolina. We only see them once a year now when they drive down here for one week in the summer. Thanks to my five years of service award in 2011, I was able to take the kids up to see them and we stayed at a resort full of fun and activities. It was so much fun that they have been talking about it ever since!
 
Having just celebrated my 10-year anniversary, everyone is super excited to do it all again. Thank you Arthrex for providing us the opportunity to spend time with our family. These are memories that my family will cherish for a lifetime."

One of Arthrex’s most distinctive and valued recognition programs is the Years of Service Awards and “Trip of a Lifetime” program. Employees who achieve five years of service with Arthrex are eligible for a company paid trip just like Melissa’s to the destination of their choice and an extra 40 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) in which to take the trip. This “Trip of a Lifetime” benefit is awarded for every additional five years of service at increasing reimbursement increments. Employees look forward to this generous benefit to create a lifetime of special memories.

“I don’t know any other company that does this for their employees,” shared Resolution Specialist Melissa Ritacco. “I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am to have an employer that allows me to do things with my family that I otherwise would not be able to do.

My mother and I have always been very close. We spent a lot of time together when she was here, and the kids were the best of friends. Several years ago, she and my niece moved to South Carolina. We only see them once a year now when they drive down here for one week in the summer. Thanks to my five years of service award in 2011, I was able to take the kids up to see them and we stayed at a resort full of fun and activities. It was so much fun that they have been talking about it ever since!
 
Having just celebrated my 10-year anniversary, everyone is super excited to do it all again. Thank you Arthrex for providing us the opportunity to spend time with our family. These are memories that my family will cherish for a lifetime."

One of Arthrex’s most distinctive and valued recognition programs is the Years of Service Awards and “Trip of a Lifetime” program. Employees who achieve five years of service with Arthrex are eligible for a company paid trip just like Melissa’s to the destination of their choice and an extra 40 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) in which to take the trip. This “Trip of a Lifetime” benefit is awarded for every additional five years of service at increasing reimbursement increments. Employees look forward to this generous benefit to create a lifetime of special memories.

When Knee and Hip Product Manager John Gualdoni began working as an agency representative with Supreme Orthopedics Systems in Washington, DC a decade ago, he never would have imagined where his life would lead him thanks to the opportunities that Arthrex has afforded him.

“Working for Supreme Orthopedic Systems was a great opportunity, but when a position opened up in product management at the Arthrex headquarters in Naples, FL, I jumped on the chance to work directly for the most innovative company in sports medicine and live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country,” shared John.

At the time of their decision to move to Naples, John and his wife, Lindsey, were living in downtown Washington, DC and contemplating whether to stay in the city or move out of the hustle and bustle to the suburbs to begin raising their growing family.

“Move outside of DC and have to commute back and forth each day or move to Naples?” John thought.  It was a no brainer and John accepted the position in product management and made the move to Florida. “The career opportunities at Arthrex were too good to pass up and we were excited about the opportunity to live in Naples,” shared John. 

Lindsey had never been to Naples until the day they moved, and she initially had concerns about moving so far away from family and friends and how the area would compare to Washington, DC for raising children. They were both pleasantly surprised to learn that Southwest Florida had a lot to offer young families, and they underestimated all the visitors they’d have who were wanting to escape the cold weather for some fun in the sun during the winter months.

 “I’ve found the misconception that Naples is a place for retirees only is completely not true,” John shared. “When we moved here we were overwhelmed by how many young families we met and how much there was to do. The things we enjoy the most are the Naples Zoo; Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples; the beach; downtown events; day trips to Sanibel, Marco Island, Tampa and Miami; year-round pool parties and all of the outdoor parks here that are unbelievable. We spend a lot of time outside and our kids love the fact that they can head to beach any time of the year. We’ve even noticed a few local craft breweries opening up around town and feel that anywhere you start seeing these pop up is usually a good indication that young professionals are settling in. We had some concerns that we’d see our family and friends less when we moved here, but in fact, we feel like we actually see them more. My parents come down here three to four times a year and friends love to visit in the winter, too.”

John and Lindsey acclimated quite well to the local community and immediately felt welcomed in Naples. Lindsey stays at home with their two children, with a third baby on the way this fall, and keeps extremely busy with all the various children’s activities and play groups. Just as Naples welcomed them in, John also felt immediately welcomed by his coworkers at Arthrex. 

“Every group works independently but depends on many departments to function as a team,” he said. “There’s a can-do mentality here – everything can be done. It’s just a matter of how are we going to get there.”

“The Arthrex culture even extends to family,” he added. “Even though my wife doesn’t work here, she feels like she’s part of the Arthrex extended family. There’s a tight-knit group of employees’ spouses and families, and the network she’s built has given her a true sense of comraderie.”

John also finds the wellness programs Arthrex offers to be a very important added benefit to help with his work/life balance. 

“Arthrex has given all employees free FitBits and provides healthy lunches daily, which has helped me to become more mindful of my overall well-being and, in general, live a healthier lifestyle,” he said. “Since moving to Naples I’ve started to run regularly again and I truly feel that Arthrex cares about the overall well-being of its employees. This is something that, unfortunately, I don’t think is the norm at most companies these days.”

 Any concerns they may have had about the summer heat quickly melted away like the ice cream John and his family like to indulge in after a fun day of playing at Cambier Park in downtown Naples.

“Our favorite time of year here is actually summer when it’s quieter and a little less busy,” he explained. “The heat down here is really no worse than a really hot summer day in Washington, DC and I have to say it would be very difficult to ever have to move from Naples. Where would we go? The Caribbean?  We’ve found our little piece of paradise living here and the fact that there’s one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For here is really a dream come true.”

“My trip to Phuket, Thailand was absolutely incredible,” said Arthrex Sous Chef Francis Roy. “I practiced boxing, Muay Thai, and MMA at the Tiger Muay Thai boxing camp on 'The Sol' in the Chalong Area, and have come back home feeling empowered. This trip meant a lot to me, this camp felt like a home away from home as I share a love for boxing even right here in the states, at Title Boxing Club Naples. This experience pushed and challenged me, and through it I have become a stronger person and boxer. I am blessed that I was able to have this experience paid for by Arthrex in honor of my five years of service. Arthrex provided the opportunity for me to travel the world and do what I love at an authentic Muay Thai Training camp where professional athletes from all over the world have trained, even UFC superstar George St. Pierre! This milestone not only was important to me professionally, it will also forever be a huge accomplishment for me personally as well.”

One of Arthrex’s most distinctive and valued recognition programs is the Years of Service Awards and “Trip of a Lifetime” program. Employees who achieve five years of service with Arthrex are eligible for a company paid trip just like Francis’ to the destination of their choice and an extra 40 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) in which to take the trip. This “Trip of a Lifetime” benefit is awarded for every additional five years of service at increasing reimbursement increments. Employees look forward to this generous benefit to create a lifetime of special memories.

Arthrex was pleased to welcome Youth Leadership Collier to Arthrex Manufacturing East (AMIE) on Thursday, June 16, and Leadership Bonita to Arthrex Logistics Center (ALC) on Friday, June 17.

Youth Leadership Collier is part of The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce’s family of leadership programs. It’s a week-long intensive program that empowers students to become effective leaders, showcases Collier County and encourages students to consider coming back to this community to begin their careers and families. Arthroplasty Engineering Manager Scott Sherman and Human Resources Director Mike Boose presented to the students followed by a group tours of AMIE provided by Kyle Armstrong, Troy Garrison, Karina DaSilva and Yair Torres.

The Leadership Bonita Program provides professionals with leadership training and an introduction to how the interconnected engine of our community runs. Participants receive behind the scenes looks at the region’s media outlets, public services, healthcare system and economic development initiatives, among other things. Director of Logistics Rich Hughes and Logistics Manager Stacie Sattler led an engaging tour of ALC and shared more about this important part of Arthrex’s business.

This Independence Day had special meaning for Photography Retoucher Deanna Sakal after recently taking part in Collier County Honor Flight's first all-female veteran mission for 66 "lady heros" ranging in ages from 24 to 95.  

Arthrex proudly sponsors numerous Honor Flights per year, and this mission was not only the first all-female veteran flight, but was the 10th mission for the local organization. Honor Flight provides war veterans with a free trip to Washington, DC to visit the National World War II Memorial and other memorials in the nation’s capital.

Deanna had the privilege of capturing the emotion and pride these veterans felt as the flight's volunteer photographer. She shared, "Traveling with the all-female veteran flight (Mission 10) was an amazing and powerful experience. I was able to see a whole new perspective on our veterans as well as connect with women who don't consider themselves heroes even though they are. It was an honor to meet and travel with these strong women, experience this trip through their eyes and share in their emotions as we traveled around Washington, DC, while they reminisced about the days they served. The Welcome Home event at Naples Airport was the most emotional part of the journey, as many of these women never experienced a real welcome home from war. Hundreds of people showed up to support these women they didn't even know to welcome them home from the perfect mission."
 
To view more photos Deanna captured on Honor Flight Mission 10, click here. 

This Independence Day, Arthrex is proud to honor all veterans, including the many employees in our company that have served in the military. Thank you for your service!

Arthrex is honored to announce Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE have recognized the company as one of the 100 Best Workplaces For Millennials in the country once again, leaping up the ranks from #91 to #28 this year! Millennials are considered the generation that was born in 1981 or later, representing 30 percent of Arthrex’s employees.

The 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials is part of a series of rankings by Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE based entirely on employee surveys from published Great Place to Work® Reviews. Read more from Arthrex's profile on the 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials ranking >>

Arthrex considers this honor to be exceptionally notable because the well-being of employees relates to the company's long-term success in Helping Surgeons Treat Their Patients Better™. That success starts in the community with support of educative programs with schools and organizations that provide the future workforce with positive experiences to learn and grow. As part of this commitment, Arthrex offers an internship and co-op program each summer to give students the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience and enhance their professional development.   

Associate Recruitment Specialist Alyssa Norus began her career with Arthrex in 2013 as an intern on the Human Resources Recruiting team and transitioned to a full-time employee after graduating Florida Gulf Coast University with a Communications degree, “During my internship at Arthrex, I was never treated as ‘the intern’ and was involved in all full-time tasks and meetings. With proper training and guidance, I was able to gain an incredible amount of knowledge and skills in recruiting in such a short time. If it wasn’t for my internship, I wouldn’t have known about the passion I have for recruiting. After three years, I still feel honored and privileged to be a part of the Arthrex family. Arthrex is truly an amazing company to work for and has been nothing but a dream come true.”

Medical Education Coordinator Kathryn Ortega also transitioned to full-time employment after an internship opportunity at Arthrex led her to a path she wouldn’t have known about if not for her experience at Arthrex. She shared, “I started as an intern on the Meetings and Events team. After eight months, I transitioned into a full-time role. Almost a year later, my experience in Meetings and Events led to an amazing opportunity to join the Medical Education team. In two years, I have held three positions and grown tremendously. My supervisors are always encouraging me to reach my utmost potential. I feel very proud to be an Arthrex employee and look forward to the endless opportunities ahead.”

As Arthrex continues to grow and expand, especially among the millennial demographic, the internship and co-op program is a great way to evaluate prospective employees for future positions. 

To read Arthrex's full Great Place to Work® Review, click here. 

Suits by day, jerseys by night... Did you know Arthrex has their very own hockey team? As a matter of fact, the team's the best in their league! On May 22, the Arthrex Scorpions won their championship game against the Mighty Ducks after a tough four-month season. The Arthrex Scorpions prove to work together well as a team in the office as well as on the ice.  

"We have grown closer both on and off the ice with this team,” said Arthrex Scorpion player and Global Medical Education VP Chris Adams, MD. “You couldn't ask for a greater group of guys. Just like at work, you have to work as a team to accomplish your goals...no pun intended. We wear the Arthrex jerseys every week with pride.”

The Scorpions play each Sunday in the adult hockey league at Germain Arena with no stop between seasons. The team's currently in first place again this season! 

Arthrex is very pleased to announce the second anniversary of the Lead Development Program (LDP), a unique series of training classes designed to identify and develop appropriate internal candidates for leadership positions in Packaging.

In the winter of 2014, the first class of LDP participants began their journey. To date, 70 employees in seven classes have graduated from the program.   

The main role of a leader in any organization is to motivate, encourage and provide a good example for employees to work together to achieve organizational goals. In order to be successful, employees need to possess certain skills and qualities so that they are able to perform their job to the best of their ability. LDP is designed to introduce personnel to the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to be a successful leader, and provides an avenue for both personal and professional growth at Arthrex Manufacturing Inc.

“This program gives you the tools and knowledge to help you advance in this rapidly growing company,” said LDP Graduate and QC Inspector III Patrick Kirkendoll. “The instructors are excellent, professional and entertaining. I would recommend this program to all who are interested.”

LDP has continued to grow and develop over the last two years and is now offered at the Arthrex Manufacturing East (AMIE) and Arthrex Manufacturing North (AMIN) locations to Packaging, Shipping and Boxing, Pre-Packaging and Quality Control personnel. There are currently two classes in progress, one at AMIE and the other at AMIN. Future classes are projected out through 2017 and pre-assessments to qualify for the program are offered twice a year. Participants in the program are assigned mentors for the duration of the program and can seek counsel, advice and guidance from current leaders/leadership here at Arthrex Manufacturing Inc.

“In my 30 years in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, I have found the Lead Development Program at Arthrex to be the most extensive and effective training program I have been involved with,” said Packaging Supervisor Joseph Greyer. “I have been impressed from my very first day here with the dedication and determination of all those who are involved in teaching the program in providing the students with the tools they will need to succeed here at Arthrex. Being a supervisor, I am thankful to all those involved in the program, as the students who graduate are well-equipped to be a leader and teacher within their respective areas.”

A comprehensive assessment is administered at the end of each segment. There are a total of three to four segments per class. The assessment is comprised of a variety of question types which cover the concepts, principles and information covered throughout the segment. Receipt of a qualifying score is required in order to progress to the next segment. In addition, to qualify on all of the assessments administered, personnel undergo review by a board which is comprised of facilitators, mentors, program administrators, supervisors and management. 

It is with great pride and admiration, that Arthrex celebrates two years of the Lead Development Program and its graduates! Congratulations to all!

by John K. Morris, MD, Alexander E. Weber, M., Mark S. Morris, MD
Department of Orthopedics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI and the Section of Orthopedics, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI

Large chondral injuries without attached bone are uncommon. We report the case of a 14-year-old who developed a stress reaction between the bone and overlying articular cartilage predominantly of the anterior lateral femoral condyle during a week-long basketball camp, resulting in complete displacement of a 2.5 × 2.5-cm full-thickness articular cartilage lesion.

Three weeks after the initial injury the patient was brought to the operating room for a diagnostic arthroscopy and open arthrotomy at which time the cartilage-free fragment was returned to its donor site and fixed with poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) Arthrex chondral darts. Considerable de-lamination of the shoulders of the defect was noted on the pre-op MRI and at the time of surgery, suggesting a prodromal stress reaction. A V-shaped area of undermined cartilage in the central trochlea was too thin for dart fixation so the cartilage was excised and the area microfractured. Four darts secured the main fragment and one dart was inserted in an undermined area medially.

Despite no underlying subchondral bone on the free cartilage fragment, the injury healed. The patient had return of full knee motion and strength. Three-month post-operative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated healed cartilage.

At one year of clinical follow-up the patient had no clinical sequelae from the initial injury and had returned to competitive basketball.

The current case demonstrates a unique presentation of an isolated chondral injury successfully managed with Arthrex PLLA chondral darts. The chondral darts worked well, allowing a large full-thickness piece of articular cartilage to be successfully repaired back to its origin. Important characteristics of this implant that lead to successful healing include the ease of implantation, the flushness of the head to the articular surface, the security of the dart without implant back out, and the lack of biologic reactivity. Biologic reactivity to biodegradable implants and leaving the implant proud or backing out of the implant head have all led to iatrogenic damage and poor outcomes with previous implants. Lastly, the chondral dart does not require an additional surgery for implant removal. The Arthrex chondral dart was an invaluable resource that allowed a successful outcome for our patient.

While back to school time is exciting for most kids, foster children can often feel overwhelmed about starting out the year without basic necessities like new shoes, clothing, backpacks and school supplies.  

Each year, Arthrex teams up with Friends of Foster Children Forever for a special Back to School Bonanza at the Golden Gate Community Center in Naples, FL, to sponsor and help plan the event which helps get foster children back-to-school ready. Nearly 80 Arthrex employees and their family members volunteered their time to support this year’s Back to School Bonanza on Saturday, July 30.

“Friends of Foster Children Forever is a phenomenal organization,” shared Upper Extremity Product Manager Andy Petry, who volunteered with his wife. “The event was fantastic. It is exciting to work for a company like Arthrex that is involved in helping the community by partnering with organizations like Friends of Foster Children Forever.”

More than 350 foster children benefited from the generosity of the organization and volunteers’ time by receiving free backpacks, school uniforms, sneakers, books, haircuts, vision tests, dental checks and even mattresses.

“There were so many moving stories at the event with so many positive outcomes,” said the organization's Director Jane Billings. “We really could not do this without the support of Arthrex. Thank you from all of us to all of you for what you do to make this community a better place for everyone.”
 
Special thanks to all of the Arthrex employees and families who took part in helping to “foster” a successful school year for these deserving children in our community.
 
Click here to read more from Naples Daily News’s story, “Back to School Bonanza”.

As part of our mission of Helping Surgeons Treat Their Patients Better, Arthrex provides a limited number of internship, co-op and job shadow opportunities with varying educational requirements for students preparing to enter the workforce. The program is held in high esteem in the professional and medical device industry workforce. Applying for an internship at Arthrex is the first step to enhancing your professional education and marketability. You will work directly with departments, individuals and teams and begin to build your professional network.  

My name is Felicia Cimaglia, and I am currently an intern within the Corporate Communications department at Arthrex. My internship has been incredible beyond words. It is unlike any internship I've (and you will) ever had. You will not be licking envelopes, delivering coffee to coworkers, or handing out flyers… an internship with Arthrex is demanding and difficult, but in a good way. It is challenging, captivating and sophisticated. You will be given responsibilities, tasks and duties that will allow you to contribute to the company's mission. You're also offered exposure to corporate culture, membership in a departmental team, corporate software training and much more, depending on your position.

As an intern within the Corporate Communications team, I primarily work on internal and external communications materials. This could be anything from employee emails, agency communications, composing content, posting on social media and so much more. It’s truly an honor to be given the trust and responsibility to do certain things, and I’m sure many interns feel the same way I do in this regard. Your superiors at Arthrex believe in you and want you to succeed. It feels really good knowing that what you are suggesting and inputting is taken into consideration and is sometimes even implemented. There has not been one person at Arthrex that views me as an “intern,” but as one of their own.

It’s been really interesting to notice that just because you are affiliated with a certain team, does not mean that your experiences are limited to just that team. Throughout your time here, you will be exposed to different fields and departments and have the opportunity to work on projects with other Arthrex employees. Everyone comes together, even on different teams, to reach that one goal of “helping surgeons treat their patients better.” Everyone at Arthrex pushes one another to be the best they can be – personally and professionally, and I can honestly say that working at a company that values one another isn’t always something you come by.

Arthrex is proud to support educative programs with schools and organizations in the community and around the country that provide our young minds and future workforce with positive experiences to learn, grow and be inspired. This includes offering a number of internships, co-op and job shadowing opportunities within a variety of departments throughout the year.

An internship is a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment, and a co-op is a type of internship program that enables college students to receive career training with pay as they work with professionals in their major fields of study. Typically interns work full time for three months and co-ops work for six months.

This summer, approximately 40 interns and co-ops were hired and had the opportunity to acquire valuable practical experience, while enhancing their professional development in areas such as Product Management, Research & Education, Engineering, Medical Education, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Global Information Systems and more.

According to Medical Education Intern John Masarik, “I’ve learned how much Arthrex invests in its employees, and that’s not something that is commonly seen in today’s companies. As a professional, I’ve been able to develop a lot of skills that medical students in my class haven’t even had the opportunity to work on. For that I am very grateful.”

This summer’s group of interns and co-ops represented schools from throughout the community and country, including: Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Florida, University of North Florida, Florida State University, Michigan Technological University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Ave Maria University, Hodges University, St. George’s University School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and even some local high schools.

“When I first heard about the intern program at Arthrex, I doubted I would have anything to offer,” shared Digital Asset Intern Emily Bajema. “After all, I was studying English Education and Arthrex specializes in joint repair—what do I know about that?  Over the course of my internships, I learned that Arthrex is more than just a medical device company. Arthrex is made up of a unique group of people united under a common goal. Every employee’s individual specialties make this goal possible.”

Toward the beginning of each summer, a luncheon is held as an opportunity for interns to interact with employees from various backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to learn more about the different departments within the company.

“The atmosphere is relaxed and celebratory rather than forced or formal, which no one often expects of a networking event,” said Emily.

In addition, interns also benefit from a well-received intern panel where Arthrex employees volunteer their time answering questions and imparting knowledge and advice.  

This year’s panel members included: Employee Relations Specialist Associate Hayley Wonka, Biological Safety Specialist Christine Ho, Meeting Data Specialist Danny Reyna, Sr. Capacity Planning Analyst Drew Josephson, Medical Education Coordinator Kathryn Ortega, Corporate Communications Journalist Danielle Batsios, Manufacturing Suture Engineer Maya Alfonso, Sr. Intellectual Property Counsel Brian Dorn, Staff Accountant G/L Nick Sacchetta, and Engineer Associate – Product Joel Zubizarreta.

As Arthrex continues to grow and expand, the internship and co-op programs are a great way to evaluate prospective employees for future positions.

“Many departments look at internships as extended job interviews,” said Lisa Gardiner, Communications Manager at Arthrex. “Interns are put to work and evaluated on whether they make a strong cultural and professional fit within our organization; an assessment that’s key to our hiring process and maintaining a low turnover rate.”

Over the past three years, Arthrex has hosted 214 interns and co-ops, of which 35 were hired into full-time positions upon graduation.

Medical Education Coordinator Kathryn Ortega transitioned to full-time employment after an internship opportunity at Arthrex led her to a path she wouldn’t have known about if not for her experience at Arthrex. She shared, “I started as an intern on the Meetings and Events team. After eight months, I transitioned into a full-time role. My supervisors are always encouraging me to reach my utmost potential. I feel very proud to be an Arthrex employee and look forward to the endless opportunities ahead.”

Arthrex was recently named to the prestigious list of Florida’s Top 100 Best Companies To Work For 2016. One hundred companies were recognized in small, medium and large company categories; Arthrex was named 26th in the large company category. The listing is published in the August 2016 issue of Florida Trend.

The Best Companies To Work For program was created by Florida Trend and Best Companies Group, and is endorsed by the HR Florida State Council. Companies that choose to participate in the annual selection undergo an evaluation of their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The process also includes a survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the registration, survey and analysis and determined the final rankings.

"The top companies seek high energy employees who vigorously accept the organization's core values," says Florida Trend Publisher Andy Corty. "The companies that attract these great employees are the same companies that show growth even in a challenging business environment. It's our pleasure to recognize them and encourage others to build Florida's competitive advantage."

Arthrex also received this recognition in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The listing can be viewed here.

"What an absolutely amazing 'Years of Service' trip!!!! I got to rediscover part of my past and reconnect with family that I hadn’t seen for 17 years," shared Environmental Health & Safety Claims Coordinator Anette Gray about her five-year Arthrex anniversary trip.

"Paris! I was a two-week exchange student in France in high school and then became a French major in college. I spent a year in France after graduation and had not been back since. This time, I got to bring my husband and practice my French skills since I don’t get to use them very much in the states. We stayed on a houseboat on the Seine, visited the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, walked the Champs Elysee, took a bike ride tour through all of Paris, went to the Musee D’Orsay and the Louvre, as well as Centre Pompidou and a small Salvador Dali museum. We walked, took the metro and ate more croissants than we should have! We traveled by high-speed train to the Champagne region and took tours of the chalk caves of Veuve Cliquot and Ruinart. If that wasn’t enough, we also took a side trip…Amsterdam! 

My father was from the Netherlands and, unfortunately, we did not have as much family contact as one would hope. My husband and I got to celebrate our anniversary and our joint birthday in Amsterdam with family that I had not seen in 17 years! From a private canal boat tour to the Van Gogh Museum and a bike tour (there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam), we experienced as much as we could in 2 ½ short days…I only wish we could have stayed longer. 

It is thanks to Arthrex that we were able to take this trip of a lifetime and enjoy new experiences as a couple and connect with relatives who live far away. I was so proud to explain to everyone I met what a fantastic company I work for that allowed us to realize this dream vacation! The pictures never do it justice. Thank you, Merci, Dank je!!"

One of Arthrex’s most distinctive and valued recognition programs is the Years of Service Awards and “Trip of a Lifetime” program. Employees who achieve five years of service with Arthrex are eligible for a company paid trip just like Anette’s to the destination of their choice and an extra 40 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) in which to take the trip. This “Trip of a Lifetime” benefit is awarded for every additional five years of service at increasing reimbursement increments. Employees look forward to this generous benefit to create a lifetime of special memories.

While back to school time is exciting for most kids, foster children can often feel overwhelmed about starting out the year without basic necessities like new shoes, clothing, backpacks and school supplies.  

Each year, Arthrex teams up with Friends of Foster Children Forever for a special Back to School Bonanza at the Golden Gate Community Center in Naples, FL, to sponsor and help plan the event which helps get foster children back-to-school ready. Nearly 80 Arthrex employees and their family members volunteered their time to support this year’s Back to School Bonanza on Saturday, July 30.

“Friends of Foster Children Forever is a phenomenal organization,” shared Upper Extremity Product Manager Andy Petry, who volunteered with his wife. “The event was fantastic. It is exciting to work for a company like Arthrex that is involved in helping the community by partnering with organizations like Friends of Foster Children Forever.”

More than 350 foster children benefited from the generosity of the organization and volunteers’ time by receiving free backpacks, school uniforms, sneakers, books, haircuts, vision tests, dental checks and even mattresses.

“There were so many moving stories at the event with so many positive outcomes,” said the organization's Director Jane Billings. “We really could not do this without the support of Arthrex. Thank you from all of us to all of you for what you do to make this community a better place for everyone.”
 
Special thanks to all of the Arthrex employees and families who took part in helping to “foster” a successful school year for these deserving children in our community.
 
Click here to read more from Naples Daily News’s story, “Back to School Bonanza”.

As part of our mission of Helping Surgeons Treat Their Patients Better, Arthrex provides a limited number of internship, co-op and job shadow opportunities with varying educational requirements for students preparing to enter the workforce. The program is held in high esteem in the professional and medical device industry workforce. Applying for an internship at Arthrex is the first step to enhancing your professional education and marketability. You will work directly with departments, individuals and teams and begin to build your professional network.  

My name is Felicia Cimaglia, and I am currently an intern within the Corporate Communications department at Arthrex. My internship has been incredible beyond words. It is unlike any internship I've (and you will) ever had. You will not be licking envelopes, delivering coffee to coworkers, or handing out flyers… an internship with Arthrex is demanding and difficult, but in a good way. It is challenging, captivating and sophisticated. You will be given responsibilities, tasks and duties that will allow you to contribute to the company's mission. You're also offered exposure to corporate culture, membership in a departmental team, corporate software training and much more, depending on your position.

As an intern within the Corporate Communications team, I primarily work on internal and external communications materials. This could be anything from employee emails, agency communications, composing content, posting on social media and so much more. It’s truly an honor to be given the trust and responsibility to do certain things, and I’m sure many interns feel the same way I do in this regard. Your superiors at Arthrex believe in you and want you to succeed. It feels really good knowing that what you are suggesting and inputting is taken into consideration and is sometimes even implemented. There has not been one person at Arthrex that views me as an “intern,” but as one of their own.

It’s been really interesting to notice that just because you are affiliated with a certain team, does not mean that your experiences are limited to just that team. Throughout your time here, you will be exposed to different fields and departments and have the opportunity to work on projects with other Arthrex employees. Everyone comes together, even on different teams, to reach that one goal of “helping surgeons treat their patients better.” Everyone at Arthrex pushes one another to be the best they can be – personally and professionally, and I can honestly say that working at a company that values one another isn’t always something you come by.

Arthrex is proud to support educative programs with schools and organizations in the community and around the country that provide our young minds and future workforce with positive experiences to learn, grow and be inspired. This includes offering a number of internships, co-op and job shadowing opportunities within a variety of departments throughout the year.

An internship is a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment, and a co-op is a type of internship program that enables college students to receive career training with pay as they work with professionals in their major fields of study. Typically interns work full time for three months and co-ops work for six months.

This summer, approximately 40 interns and co-ops were hired and had the opportunity to acquire valuable practical experience, while enhancing their professional development in areas such as Product Management, Research & Education, Engineering, Medical Education, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Global Information Systems and more.

According to Medical Education Intern John Masarik, “I’ve learned how much Arthrex invests in its employees, and that’s not something that is commonly seen in today’s companies. As a professional, I’ve been able to develop a lot of skills that medical students in my class haven’t even had the opportunity to work on. For that I am very grateful.”

This summer’s group of interns and co-ops represented schools from throughout the community and country, including: Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Florida, University of North Florida, Florida State University, Michigan Technological University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Ave Maria University, Hodges University, St. George’s University School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and even some local high schools.

“When I first heard about the intern program at Arthrex, I doubted I would have anything to offer,” shared Digital Asset Intern Emily Bajema. “After all, I was studying English Education and Arthrex specializes in joint repair—what do I know about that?  Over the course of my internships, I learned that Arthrex is more than just a medical device company. Arthrex is made up of a unique group of people united under a common goal. Every employee’s individual specialties make this goal possible.”

Toward the beginning of each summer, a luncheon is held as an opportunity for interns to interact with employees from various backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to learn more about the different departments within the company.

“The atmosphere is relaxed and celebratory rather than forced or formal, which no one often expects of a networking event,” said Emily.

In addition, interns also benefit from a well-received intern panel where Arthrex employees volunteer their time answering questions and imparting knowledge and advice.  

This year’s panel members included: Employee Relations Specialist Associate Hayley Wonka, Biological Safety Specialist Christine Ho, Meeting Data Specialist Danny Reyna, Sr. Capacity Planning Analyst Drew Josephson, Medical Education Coordinator Kathryn Ortega, Corporate Communications Journalist Danielle Batsios, Manufacturing Suture Engineer Maya Alfonso, Sr. Intellectual Property Counsel Brian Dorn, Staff Accountant G/L Nick Sacchetta, and Engineer Associate – Product Joel Zubizarreta.

As Arthrex continues to grow and expand, the internship and co-op programs are a great way to evaluate prospective employees for future positions.

“Many departments look at internships as extended job interviews,” said Lisa Gardiner, Communications Manager at Arthrex. “Interns are put to work and evaluated on whether they make a strong cultural and professional fit within our organization; an assessment that’s key to our hiring process and maintaining a low turnover rate.”

Over the past three years, Arthrex has hosted 214 interns and co-ops, of which 35 were hired into full-time positions upon graduation.

Medical Education Coordinator Kathryn Ortega transitioned to full-time employment after an internship opportunity at Arthrex led her to a path she wouldn’t have known about if not for her experience at Arthrex. She shared, “I started as an intern on the Meetings and Events team. After eight months, I transitioned into a full-time role. My supervisors are always encouraging me to reach my utmost potential. I feel very proud to be an Arthrex employee and look forward to the endless opportunities ahead.”