Emageon, UltraVisual join operations to capitalize on complementary skills

Executives plan to build on shared technologies

Long-time allies Emageon and UltraVisual have merged. Emageon had specialized in medical image storage, distribution, and workflow solutions. UltraVisual of Madison, WI, had focused on the development of enterprise-wide medical image visualization software. Shareholders of the two companies approved the merger, effective May 30. Company headquarters will be in Birmingham, AL, where Emageon had been based. Visualization software development will continue in Madison.

"Unlike many mergers that predict or hope for product synergies, the merger of Emageon and UltraVisual is based on actual, proven synergies already in place with customers," said Chuck Jett, Emageon CEO and chairman.

Mark Gehring, UltraVisual's cofounder, CEO, and chairman, described the merger as having been clinically "road tested," in that technology from both companies is already in widespread use. The two companies have signed 18 hospitals to projects involving shared technologies in just the last half-year, he said.

Both committed early to DICOM, HL7, and IHE standards yet maintained their hardware independence. The merged open platforms should create further value for customers by supporting seamless integration to high-end specialty and disease-specific applications, according to Emageon COO Milton Silva-Craig.

"Each company has emphasized meeting industry demands," he said. "Our combined solution enhances our ability to improve the quality of care that can be delivered by improving service to referring physicians."

Together, the two newly merged companies offer an integrated solution of technology and services, Gehring said. Moreover, both share a common vision for the development of their technologies and implementation of services.

"Our merger with Emageon leverages the technical strengths of both companies," he said.