In these days of COVID separation, Rotarians are becoming more accustomed to gathering on ZOOM.  Fellowship was on full display with lively chats about weather, family, work, and the inauguration. This week, courtesy of our resident computer expert Corey Collier, we learned that Rotarians could use a free website Speedtest.net to measure the speed of our internet service. Internet service providers are required to provide at least 51% of the connection speed contracted. A direct wire connection provides the best performance. This Gimlet reporter tested his Mediacom 100mbps service and found download speeds at a somewhat satisfactory 85.43mpbs. Mbps speeds seem to move up or down depending on demand in the home and on the system. Our Club is blessed to have such a deep bench of experts. Thanks Corey Collier!

 

President Dean Casperson rang the bell to bring us to order and led 47 Rotarians and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Guests included Donna Iisakka, wife of Jeff Iisakka and his daughter, our speaker, Kelly Iisakka. Christine Pelofske was a guest of Jerry Pelofske. 

 

Our Rotary Reflection this day was provided by Jeff Iisakka who mused upon the awesome power of the human brain. Our brains allow us to walk, talk, think, imagine, speak, dream and be creative. Early humans were able to adapt to various climates and solve complex problems as they migrated for Africa to northern Europe, Asia and the Americas. Even while asleep, our brains are at work. Thomas Edison was known to go to bed with an unsolved problem only to awaken with the problem solved. Our amazing brain makes possible medical breakthroughs such as those in today’s fascinating program.

 

Chair of the Day Jeff Iisakka introduced 2003 UMD graduate and Volleyball standout, Kelly Iisakka who shared the medical miracles that are helping people heal wounds faster.  Kelly is a representative of the firm MiMedx, a publicly traded therapeutic biologics company (NASDAQ CM: MDXG). Kelly’s work in regenerative medicine is part of the very competitive Bio-pharmaceutical industry. The MiMedx team is passionate about the science behind their products and work hand in hand with doctors throughout the world.

 

In MiMedx’s own words: We pioneered the processing and use of dehydrated amniotic tissue, and currently develop and distribute human placental-based tissue allografts for multiple sectors of healthcare, including wound care, burn, and various surgical applications. In support of the company’s mission to improve patient lives and elevate the standard of care, MiMedx is also leading multiple clinical trials to explore applications in osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and other degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. MiMedx has supplied over 2 million allografts.

 

People with underlying conditions, especially diabetes, find that wounds are hard to heal.  More than 30 million Americans have diabetes; close to three million of these people suffer from chronic wounds. Many will face serious complications—including limb amputation. The cost of these amputations is estimated at $4.3 billion. Donated human placentas obtained during Caesarian births, 75,000 to date, have provided more than 1.9 million allografts. Because the allographs - a tissue graft from a donor of the same species as the recipient but not genetically identical - are not rejected by the body. The wounds heal at an accelerated rate. To learn more about MiMedx and their products visit www.mimedx.com   

 

Screen shot from MiMedx Presentation.