Lee McDonald – Canadian Woman Entrepreneur

Barrie, ON - February 20, 2010 - Southmedic Inc. triumphed over thousands of other applicants to win a 2009 Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies (Best Managed) award. This prestigious national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post, and Queen's School of Business. "We believe that there are three vital building blocks to sustainable growth: strategy, capability, and commitment, Southmedic Inc. has demonstrated it is a model of success in all three areas and is duly awarded one of Canada's Best Managed, "explained John Hughes, Partner, Private Company Services group with Deloitte, a national sponsor of the Best Managed program.
Established in 1983, Southmedic specializes in the research, design manufacturing and distribution of proprietary products; value added contract clean-room manufacturing and assembly and domestic distribution of 3rd party specialty operating products. "It's our plan, and our pledge, to make a difference to Canadian healthcare," proclaimed Lee McDonald, President and CEO of Southmedic Inc.
Established in 1993, the Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.
"This is an honour I hardly contemplated in 1983, when I started this business - it sounds like a cliche - in the basement of our home. Today, we service customers in over 72 countries, aided by some 150 full time employees in our plant of almost 60,000 square feet here in Barrie, Ontario," exclaimed McDonald. "I'd like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who have supported us throughout the years: my management/administration personnel, line employees, customers and suppliers, with a special nod of appreciation to members of our corporate Advisory Board, who have given of their time and talents, without compensation." McDonald added. "It takes a company focused on values, a strong business plan, and most of all hard work, to succeed in today's market place" said Calvin Younger, Senior Vice-President, CIBC Commercial Banking. "Companies winning this year's Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies exemplify these traits." 2009 winners of the Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies award, along with Requalified and Platinum Club members will be honoured at the annual Best Managed gala in Toronto on 8 March, 2010. On the same date, the Best Managed symposium will address leading-edge business issues that are key to the success of today's business leaders.

AWARDS

Lee McDonald - CEO and President:

Southmedic Inc Named One of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies

October 25, 2010: Lee McDonald, President and CEO of Southmedic Incorporated was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, Health Sciences category.

		AWARDS Click on an award for a larger view Lee McDonald - CEO and President: Winner of WXN Top 100 - 2009 Winner of Profit Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist - 2008 Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year - Lifetime Achievement - 2007 Chatelaine Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs - 2000, 2001 Business Women's Network Leadership Award - 1998 Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Award for International Competitiveness - 1997

		Southmedic Inc Named One of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies Barrie, ON - February 20, 2010 - Southmedic Inc. triumphed over thousands of other applicants to win a 2009 Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies (Best Managed) award. This prestigious national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post, and Queen's School of Business. "We believe that there are three vital building blocks to sustainable growth: strategy, capability, and commitment, Southmedic Inc. has demonstrated it is a model of success in all three areas and is duly awarded one of Canada's Best Managed, "explained John Hughes, Partner, Private Company Services group with Deloitte, a national sponsor of the Best Managed program. Established in 1983, Southmedic specializes in the research, design manufacturing and distribution of proprietary products; value added contract clean-room manufacturing and assembly and domestic distribution of 3rd party specialty operating products. "It's our plan, and our pledge, to make a difference to Canadian healthcare," proclaimed Lee McDonald, President and CEO of Southmedic Inc. Established in 1993, the Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth. "This is an honour I hardly contemplated in 1983, when I started this business - it sounds like a cliche - in the basement of our home. Today, we service customers in over 72 countries, aided by some 150 full time employees in our plant of almost 60,000 square feet here in Barrie, Ontario," exclaimed McDonald. "I'd like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who have supported us throughout the years: my management/administration personnel, line employees, customers and suppliers, with a special nod of appreciation to members of our corporate Advisory Board, who have given of their time and talents, without compensation." McDonald added. "It takes a company focused on values, a strong business plan, and most of all hard work, to succeed in today's market place" said Calvin Younger, Senior Vice-President, CIBC Commercial Banking. "Companies winning this year's Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies exemplify these traits." 2009 winners of the Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies award, along with Requalified and Platinum Club members will be honoured at the annual Best Managed gala in Toronto on 8 March, 2010. On the same date, the Best Managed symposium will address leading-edge business issues that are key to the success of today's business leaders.

		October 25, 2010: Lee McDonald, President and CEO of Southmedic Incorporated was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, Health Sciences category. Lee graciously accepted the award and was visibly honored and humbled by the experience. As Lee extended a sincere thank you to Ernst & Young, the organizing committee, HSBC and of course to her supporting cast at Southmedic and her wonderful family, she gave honorable mention and congratulations to all finalists, stating: "we are all winners". When Lee ended her short though eloquent address, she stated: "how lucky we all are to be Canadians and we should raise our flag high" the audience erupted in applause. About Southmedic Inc.: Founded by Lee McDonald in 1983, Southmedic is a forward-thinking medical manufacturing and distribution organization with a focus on innovation. Southmedic's Domestic Division is one of the largest independent distributors of operating room products in Canada with a dynamic and efficient sales force from coast to coast. Specializing in selling innovative surgical and respiratory/anesthesia products, Southmedic emphasizes a great deal of focus to customer service, providing the technical support and knowledge that is essential to their customer's needs. Southmedic is a vertically integrated custom manufacturing facility, which specializes in Cleanroom Injection Molding of medical components. The design team provides state of the art 3D solid modeling capabilities. Southmedic's attention to detail and customer service focus guarantees rapid delivery and cost effective tooling. A certified Class 100,000 clean room houses modern injection molding machines ranging from 35 to 300 tons. Controlled environment assembly facilities are also available.