From the HME Company Newswire: MSD, Philips Respironics, SeQual, Sunrise, VMI

MSD Acquired by Water Street

CHICAGO — Medical Specialties Distributors has been
acquired by Chicago-based Water Street Health Partners, a private
equity firm focused on health care with more than $1 billion of
capital under management.

With more than 4,000 customers, MSD provides a range of infusion
equipment and disposable supplies, biomedical rental and repairs
and equipment management and tracking for the growing home infusion
market. The company supports a broad base of customers including
specialty pharmacies and home infusion companies such as Accredo
Health Group (Medco), Coram Specialty Infusion Services (Apria) and
Walgreens Health Initiatives, which added home infusion giant
OptionCare in 2007.

“MSD is uniquely positioned as the only national distributor
that specializes in serving the needs of home infusion providers,”
said Rob Womsley, partner, Water Street Healthcare Partners, in a
release. “It has achieved steady growth by offering customers
comprehensive solutions that support them with effectively managing
and utilizing their products and supplies to ensure they meet their
patients’ day-to-day needs. Our intention is to build on MSD’s
strong foundation and technology leadership to expand its services
to the increasing number of providers who are enabling people to
receive drug therapy services at home.”

MSD employs more than 250 people and operates eight fulfillment
and service centers across the country. Jim Beck, MSD president and
CEO, will continue to lead the company.

No purchase price for the transaction was disclosed. The deal,
which closed July 30, brings Water Street’s portfolio of health
care companies to 12, the company said.

Philips Respironics Offers Webinars

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. — Philips Respironics is hosting three
free Know How Webinars on managing patients using Encore data
reports on Sept. 16, “Managing Data for the OSA Patient Being
Treated with CPAP;” Sept. 29, “Managing the Complicated Sleep Apnea
Patient;” and Oct. 13, “Managing the Noninvasive Ventilation
Patient.”  For information, check http://knowhow.respironics.com.

SeQual Pledges Gulf Coast Support

SAN DIEGO — SeQual Technologies pledged earlier this month
to support Gulf Coast recovery efforts by donating a portion of the
company’s sales revenue to Sean Payton’s (New Orleans Saints) Play
It Forward Foundation. “In the past few years, SeQual has
contributed to several causes and wants to support the restoration
projects in this beautiful part of the country,” SeQual CEO Ron
Richard said in a release. “We hope by contributing to this
project, we gain the attention of other medical manufacturers
— the impact of the oil spill affects many patients using
medical products, as well as the local businesses.”

Sunrise Debuts Zippie Exploration Station

FRESNO Calif. — Sunrise Medical has launched a new website
for kids who use Zippie wheelchairs and their parents. The Zippie
Exploration Station challenges children with entertaining games,
offers a newsletter and features periodic contests to win prizes.
The first contest, which runs through Sept. 30, is a coloring
contest to win a new Zippie Zone. A parents’ page includes product
information, a community to facilitate dialog with other parents
and resources from various organizations.

VMI Sponsors MDA Telethon

PHOENIX — Van converter Vantage Mobility International
will cosponsor the Phoenix broadcast of the 45th Annual Jerry Lewis
Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. Hosted by Jerry Lewis and
Tom Bergeron of “Dancing with the Stars,” the national show will
air Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-6, from Las Vegas’ South Point Hotel
and Casino. This is VMI’s 12th year of sponsorship for the
Phoenix-area broadcast. “Fighting this disease is so important for
VMI that we not only increased our financial efforts but also our
participation in the MDA Telethon, Stride and Ride Walk, Taste of
the Town and Muscle Team events,” VMI President Doug Easton said in
a release.