Information about the Cook Medical Innovation Award and the nomination form may be downloaded here.

So, let us hear about your product, procedure or concept that: represents an elegantly simple solution to a complex problem; benefits society; positively affects the marketplace; and demonstrates a high degree of creativity.

Technologies will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Submission Requirements:

• Nominees can be companies, organizations, educational institutions, teams or individuals.
• Companies/organizations must be located in Forsyth County; individuals must either work or reside in Forsyth County.
• Submissions can be products, services, procedures or concepts.
• Submission of previously-submitted product, service, procedure or concept is not permitted.  
• Submissions must have been developed locally or in conjunction with a company division located in Forsyth County. 
• The judging panel will be composed of Cook Medical executives and engineers.
• Self-nominations are encouraged.
• Nominees are not required to be a member of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.
• Prototypes, images, videos, or presentations (electronic or print) of the device are encouraged.
• Ideas must be submitted on or before August 15, 2011.

Selection Process:

• The selection committee will be composed of one Cook Medical executive and three area business and civic leaders.
• The selection committee will select five finalists who will be notified by September 15, 2011.
• Finalists will be invited to present their innovation to the panel of judges at Cook Medical.
• Finalists will be invited and recognized at the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2011.
• The winner and award will be presented at the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2011.

 Nomination Process:

• Complete the nomination form and submit it along with prototypes, images, videos, or presentations (electronic or print) as appropriate on or before August 15, 2011, to: 

• The winner will be recognized and presented with a unique award designed by a local artist at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2011 , at the Embassy Suites’ Grand Pavilion Ballroom in Winston-Salem.  The Annual Meeting is the Chamber’s largest event and is attended by over 750 business and community leaders.
• The winner will be recognized on the Chamber of Commerce website (www.winstonsalem.com).
• Any winner that is not currently a member of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce will be awarded an honorary one-year Chamber membership.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to:
Peggy Low
Senior Vice President, Technology
Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce
peggylow@winstonsalem.com
336-728-9226

About Cook Medical
Founded in 1963, Cook Medical helped invent and popularize interventional medicine, pioneering many of the devices now commonly used worldwide to perform minimally invasive medical procedures throughout the body. Today, the company integrates minimally invasive medical devices, drugs and biologics to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes. Since its inception, Cook has operated as a family-held private corporation focused on providing superior patient outcomes while reducing health care costs. For more information, visit www.cookmedical.com. Follow Cook Medical on Twitter at twitter.com/cookmedicalpr.

Cook Endoscopy was established in 1983 to design, produce and provide innovative products for gastrointestinal endoscopy. Based in Winston-Salem, the company employs over 500 people locally.