news
October, 2009
understand.com unites medical brands with consumers via ground-breaking program with the american society of plastic surgeons
RENO, NEV. (Oct. 15, 2009): In a groundbreaking endorsement and partnership, the American Society
of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has selected Understand.com to develop and power a 3D Brand Showcase,
a series of interactive 3D animations that explain brand-specific plastic and cosmetic surgery-related
treatments and products. The animations feature the products of medical companies,
pharmaceutical firms, device makers and others and can be viewed by the over three million
consumers who visit the ASPS website (www.plasticsurgery.org) annually, seeking information about
branded products, procedures and technologies for surgical and minimally invasive procedures.
These visitors form a highly-targeted audience who are actively seeking branded medical product,
treatment and procedure information from silicone breast implants to laser-based procedures such as
skin tightening to ultrasonic liposuction, and dermal fillers such as Botox Cosmetic.
This first-of-its-kind patient education program includes the following:
- A state-of-the-art 3D animation explaining the science, technology or technique behind a company’s product or procedure, showcased within the ASPS’ 3D Library on their website;
- A branded product informational page within the ASPS website;
- Distribution of the branded animation by the ASPS free of charge to its 7,000 member physicians for use on their own practice websites for marketing and patient education;
- Integration of participating companies’ animation into their consumer and corporate websites for marketing and lead generation for their physician clients; and
- Integration of the branded animation into Understand.com’s extensive Plastic Surgery 3D library and distribution of the animations through its global network of plastic surgeon practice websites.
“This new service and innovative distribution channel provides companies with FDA-approved products
the opportunity to put their brand directly in front of the consumer, said Darik Volpa, Founder and
Chief Executive Officer of Understand.com. “With the plethora of plastic and cosmetic treatment
advancements offered today, nothing is more effective than using animation to explain products and
procedures directly to consumers– we expect this program to make a very positive impact on both
corporate brands and consumers specifically seeking information about branded treatment options.”
“This is an exciting opportunity for ASPS and its’ members to offer brand specific product information
to consumers and patients,” said John Canady, M.D., President, American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
ASPS is pleased to endorse Understand.com’s 3D Brand Showcase and partner with the company in offering
this innovative and highly effective form of education for explaining products and procedures to
consumers visiting www.plasticsurgery.org.”
September, 2009
The American Cancer Society Partners with Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
The American Cancer Society has partnered with Understand.com to create and power a 3D skin cancer
patient education program. A 3D skin cancer library will feature content explaining the causes,
conditions and treatment options for skin cancer. The American Cancer Society will feature the
3D library on their web site to educate consumers. Understand plans to expand the American Cancer
Society’s 3D patient education program to also cover topics such as breast and other cancers,
assisting the American Cancer Society in its goal to prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish
suffering from cancer.
September, 2009
Alma Lasers Selects Understand.com for 3D Product Showcase
Alma Lasers Ltd., a leader in laser, light and radiofrequency-based aesthetic devices has selected
Understand.com to create 3D animations showcasing Alma Laser’s complete product portfolio of laser
systems. Understand will animate the science behind Alma Laser’s Accent, Soprano, Harmony and Pixel
CO2 systems, as well as feature their various treatment applications.
September, 2009
The National Eczema Society Partners with Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
The National Eczema Society (NES), the United Kingdom’s leading health advocacy organization
representing people whose lives are affected by eczema, has selected Understand.com to create and
power a 3D eczema patient education program. The NES campaigns to increase public awareness and
understanding of eczema and will feature a 3D Eczema library on the National Eczema Society’s
website (www.eczema.org) to educate consumers. The 3D eczema library will feature content explaining
the disease, as well as 3D content explaining treatment options.
July, 2009
Hospital for Special Surgery Selects Understand.com for Orthopedic Patient Education Animations
Hospital for Special Surgery, a world leader as the most innovative source of medical care, and the
most trusted educator in the field of orthopedics, rheumatology, and their related disciplines, has
selected Understand.com as their Patient Education Animation partner. Understand.com will license the
complete Orthopedic Animation Library and Spine Library to HSS which will be featured in various
locations throughout the HSS web site (http://www.hss.edu) In addition, HSS has commissioned
Understand.com to create a series of new orthopedic animations that will be included in the Orthopedic
Library.
Founded in 1863 by Dr. James Knight and 20 prominent New Yorkers, Hospital for Special Surgery is the
oldest orthopedic hospital in the country. Recognized since its inception as a world leader in
musculoskeletal medicine, the strength lies in the depth of experience of its physicians and clinical
staff and the knowledge they can access from nearly 140 years of familiarity with essentially every
musculoskeletal disease known. It has one of the most sought after residency programs in orthopedics
with over 400 applicants competing for eight spots in 2004. Today, over 400 of its 500+ graduates hold
positions in major orthopedic departments, many serving as department heads.
July, 2009
American Society of Plastic Surgeons Renews Strategic Partnership with Understand.com
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has extended its exclusive partnership with Understand.com
for 3D patient education services. The program initially launched in 2007 has significantly improved patient
understanding of plastic surgery procedures while also explaining the importance of choosing a physician who
is a member of the ASPS. The 3D patient education content is accessible on doctor’s web sites who license
the content and on the ASPS home page (www.plasticsurgery.org).
July, 2009
The National Psoriasis Foundation Partners with Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has partnered with Understand.com to create and power a 3D psoriasis patient education
program. The 3D psoriasis library will feature content explaining the disease as well as 3D content explaining prescription
and over-the-counter treatment options. The National Psoriasis Foundation will showcase the 3D library on their patient education
web portal (http://www.psoriasis.org/netcommunity/learn_3dpsoriasis), as well as provide a customized 3D library for National
Psoriasis Foundation medical professional members to utilize for patient education on their websites.
June, 2009
Mentor Selects Understand.com for German 3D Patient Education
Mentor Corporation has selected Understand.com to create a 3D breast augmentation library for Mentor physician’s
to educate patients. The library will feature multiple surgical options for breast enlargement explaining the surgical
process for both silicone and saline implants. The German 3D library is an expansion of the successful English 3D library
featured on Mentor’s U.S. patient education web portal, www.LoveYourLook.com
June, 2009
Allergan and CareCredit Partner with Understand.com
3D patient education library featuring Allergan’s Natrelle brand of breast implants. The 3D library explains the surgical
procedure and enables consumers to apply for procedure financing with CareCredit directly from Understand.com’s interactive
player. The 3D library will be exclusively available to Allergan and CareCredit clients to utilize for patient education
and patient acquisition on their practice websites. The 3D library will also be featured on Allergan’s patient education
web portal, Natrelle.com.
May, 2009
Allergan Launches European Web Portals with Understand.com 3D Patient Education
Understand.com has created 3D libraries in Swedish, Italian, French, German, Spanish and English to be featured on Allergan
patient education web portals for facial aesthetics and breast implants. The various web portals have launched in their
respective languages in each country throughout Europe. Per the partnership agreement, the localized 3D animations are also
available to Understand.com’s European physicians to license for their personal websites.
April, 2009
Understand.com Announced as Finalist for the 2009 "Best Places to Work" Awards
Understand.com named as Finalist among a diverse group of employers in the second annual “Greater Reno-Tahoe Best Places
to Work”. The finalists were chosen from nearly 120 companies that were nominated based on employee satisfaction surveys
and meeting the award program requirements.
Understand.com claimed a Finalist spot in the small company (15-50 employees) category from which one winning company
will be chosen based on scores from confidential employee surveys that are objectively analyzed by Quantum Workplace, the
exclusive research partner for Best Places to Work Awards nationwide. Surveys focus on ten criteria including: team
effectiveness, trust with coworkers, individual contributions, manager effectiveness, feeling valued and people practices,
among others. Awards for 2nd and 3rd place in each category will also be presented.
http://www.edawn.org/news/news-releases//?83[command]=view&83[id]=192.
April, 2009
Understand.com Launches New HD Video Product
The 15 video module serves the Plastic, Cosmetic and Dermatological specialties offering both an online and waiting room
“patient education light” experience. The videos, between 2:30 and 3:00 minutes in length, include Understand.com’s
world-class animations in addition to procedural video footage and narration. Formatted to play within Understand.com’s
animation player, this is a simple flip-of-the-switch upgrade to your existing animation library. Visit Understand's
animation and video library.
March, 2009
The International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) Partners with Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
The International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS), is dedicated to providing continuing education and training
to physicians and scientists with an active interest in Cartilage Repair and new transplantation techniques. As
the leading source of Orthopedic, Sports Medicine and Cartilage education, Understand.com has been selected to
power a 3D patient education library explaining various cartilage repair procedures. The partnership involves
Understand.com developing a handful of new Cartilage Repair animations bolstering their Orthopedic Animation Library.
The partnership will be officially announced at the ICRS Congress in Miami, FL this May.
March, 2009
Lexington International Selects Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
Lexington manufactures and distributes the HairMax LaserComb®.
The HairMax LaserComb is the first and only FDA cleared hand-held laser device that utilizes low-level laser
therapy to improve the appearance of hair. The LaserComb is revolutionizing the hair care industry and is
utilizing Understand.com for the creation of 3D animations explaining the science behind the HairMax LaserComb,
as well as a web-based interactive patient education solution to market and drive online sales of the device.
March, 2009
NuOrtho Surgical Chooses Understand.com to Develop Custom Orthopedic Animations and New Corporate Website
NuOrtho Surgical, a highly innovative early stage medical device company that develops tissue preservation
products for the healthcare industry, has selected Understand.com to create a series of orthopedic animations
that detail the features and benefits of their technology. Understand.com will also create the NuOrtho Surgical
Corporate web site.
February, 2009
Understand.com Moves into New Downtown Office
After months of planning, renovation and anticipation, we have finally moved into our new home. With the
Truckee River a stone’s throw away from our outdoor deck (with WiFi), Java Jungle a short ride on the long board
away, and the Creative Center humming with either Centipede, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man or Air Hockey, we are all
adjusting nicely. The LEED Certified office space is over twice the size of our former digs, providing some room
for infrastructure upgrades that will only make us better, faster and stronger for our clients.
In the neighborhood? Please stop by and say Hi.
January, 2009
New Pharmaceutical Guidelines Drive Demand for Understand.com Patient Education Solutions
New guidelines have transformed the pharmaceutical market with the adoption of an enhanced voluntary code on
relationships between biotech and pharma companies and U.S. healthcare professionals. The new code, initiated by
the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents research-based pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies. Understand.com’s innovative corporate solutions are both PhRMA Code and AdvaMed Code
compliant, generating significant demand for Understand.com’s Corporate Solutions division. For more information
about Understand.com’s PhRMA Code compliant patient education services, visit: http://www.understand.com/3d
December, 2008
Promius™ Pharma Signs 3-Year Agreement with Understand
Promius™ Pharma, a visionary, leading-edge company that develops and markets innovative solutions for
important dermatology challenges and issues, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories,
has entered into a three-year agreement with Understand.com to develop three new dermatologic disease animations.
These industry-leading animations will be included in Understand.com’s Dermatology Library and offered to their
extensive network of physicians across the globe. In addition, Understand.com will create a custom website
explaining the most common dermatologic diseases that will be used to provide Promius practitioner clients a
state-of-the-art patient education resource for their patients. This new program will launch Q1, 2009.
October, 2008
My Choice Medical Selects Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
My Choice Medical Holdings, the largest company of its type in the United States, is a medical
practice management and marketing company focused on the elective medical specialties, has selected
Understand.com to power a 3D patient education library on MyChoice Medical's consumer web portals,
including the flagship site, www.NewImage.com.
September, 2008
The Skin Cancer Foundation Selects Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
The Skin Cancer Foundation, the only international organization devoted solely to combating the world's
most common cancer, sets the standard for educating the public and the medical profession about skin cancer.
As the leading source of skin cancer education, Understand.com has been selected to power a 3D patient education
library explaining skin cancer causes, conditions, and prevention options to consumers.
September, 2008
Live Chat Now Available on Understand.com
Understand.com implements Bold’s LiveChat Now on their website to expand their commitment to
world-class customer service. LiveChat allows web visitors to Understand.com the opportunity to
“chat” with an Understand.com representative in real time while they are engaged on the site.
This allows for immediate interaction and feedback to surgeons or medical corporation visiting
the site.
September, 2008
Sunetics Selects Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
Sunetics International, a manufacturer of multiple low-laser medical products geared towards
the cosmetic, beauty and healthcare markets, has selected Understand.com to develop and power a
3D patient education library showcasing both hand-held laser devices and in-office laser units.
The 3D library will be showcased both on the Sunetics consumer web portal and in the Understand.com
ad network.
August, 2008
Understand.com Announces Partnership with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
AOSSM chooses Understand.com’s Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine animation library to incorporate
into the Patient Education section of their web site (www.sportsmed.org). In addition, the over
2,500 AOSSM Member Surgeons will receive special member pricing on their customized Understand.com
Orthopaedic Animation library.
August, 2008
Understand.com Launches New Custom Account Portal
Clients of Understand.com now have access to their account and animation library through the
simple to use account admin page. From here, customers are able to further customize their
animation libraries with features such as Personalized Doctor’s Notes, Before-and-After Photos,
Profile Pictures and color and logo customization.
July, 2008
The National Eczema Association Selects Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
The National Eczema Association has selected Understand.com to power their 3D eczema patient
education library for their EASE program. The Eczema & Sensitive-Skin Education (EASE) Program
is a patient empowerment program that is intended to improve patient outcomes and the quality
of life for millions of persons who suffer from eczema and severe sensitive skin conditions. By
providing educational tools and resources relating to the care and treatment of eczema and
sensitive skin, the EASE Program makes it easier for consumers to navigate the complexity of
information directed at eczema and sensitive skin patients and to evaluate the myriad of personal
care and household products on the market.
July, 2008
The Hair Foundation Chooses Understand.com as their Exclusive 3D Patient Education Partner
The Hair Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization and leading educational source to the
public about the importance of hair health, has selected Understand.com to power their 3D patient
education library. The partnership includes cooperative development of condition animations and
treatment options to assist consumers in understanding the various surgical and pharmaceutical
treatment options available today. Due to the popularity of the 3D library, the animated content
will be translated into additional languages as the Hair Foundation continues to expand globally.
July, 2008
Allergan Selects Understand.com for 3D Patient Education in Europe
Allergan, a multi-specialty health care company that discovers, develops and commercializes
innovative pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices that enable people to live life to its
greatest potential, has selected Understand.com to power a 3D patient education library for its
European medical aesthetics division. The 3D content is available to consumers in multiple languages
and explains medical aesthetic treatment options available from Allergan.
June, 2008
New Language Offerings Boosts Understand.com’s Global Market Penetration
With the recent launch of animation libraries in French, German, Italian and Hebrew (in addition
to the existing languages of English and Spanish) Understand.com has expanded its customer viewer
reach to 140 countries.
May, 2008
Exciting Launch of Understand.com 2.0
Understand.com launches new web site with a completely new design and feel. The new site highlights
Understand.com’s world-class Patient Education Animations in the specialties of Orthopaedics, Plastic
and Cosmetic Surgery, Spine, Dermatology and Hair Loss and Restoration. In addition, the new site
focuses on Understand’s Custom Animation business delivering industry leading custom animations to
the who’s who of Medical Device Corporations.
April, 2008
Understand.com Expands Executive Management
Understand.com announces the hiring of Ian Berry-Jewett and Eric Zerrenner. Mr. Berry-Jewett has been
hired as Technology Director with the responsibility of leading the technical direction and implementation
of Understand.com’s technology platform. As Director of Marketing, Mr. Zerrenner will be responsible for
Understand.com’s global marketing efforts focused on solidifying the Understand brand as the world leader
in integrated Patient Education platforms.
April, 2008
Thermage Selects Understand.com for 3D Patient Education
Thermage, a premier medical device company for aesthetics applications, has selected Understand.com to
develop and power 3D patient education explaining its innovative radiofrequency (RF) technology that
provides a safe, non-invasive procedure to tighten and contour skin. The 3D library showcases custom
animation, physic and patient video and before and after patient photography to educate consumers on the
Thermage web portal.