Audiotech Healthcare Corp. has hired Brent Clayson as a full-time audiologist at the company's Prince George clinic, effective immediately. Mr. Clayson graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelor of science in 2000, and a master of science in audiology in May, 2004. While completing his studies, he worked with the veteran's clinic at the university, and at the Portneuf Medical Center, where he provided newborn hearing screening. Mr. Clayson has also completed an externship with the Pocatello School District as well as a private audiology clinic in Pocatello, Idaho. Most recently, Mr. Clayson was employed as an audiologist with the company's United States operations, where he provided balance and hearing assessments under the supervision and direction of Dr. Gerald Mill.
As a result of a shortage of audiologists during the past three years, the Prince George clinic has been staffed part time by Dan Allen, chief operating manager and audiologist from one of Audiotech's Kamloops clinics. Accordingly, in addition to eliminating significant travel costs, the hiring of Mr. Clayson is expected to result in a significant increase in revenues at both the Kamloops and Prince George clinics by expanding service capacity at both operations. Further, the expanded clinic capacity in Prince George is expected to result in a greater proportion of private hearing aid sales. Audiotech had curtailed most advertising activities in Prince George and the surrounding area roughly three years ago as its service capacity was generally only sufficient to cover the demand from third party insurers, such as the Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia, which currently account for about 82 per cent of the clinic's sales. The resumption of advertising aimed at attracting more private business is expected to result in an increase in revenue of approximately 25 per cent as well as higher operating margins at the Prince George clinic.
Management would like to sincerely thank Mr. Allen for his extraordinary contribution to the Prince George clinic over the past three years while a full-time replacement could be recruited. Mr. Allen worked tirelessly to ensure that exemplary clinic care was provided to the people of Prince George while at the same time maintaining all of his responsibilities at his home clinic in Kamloops and the head office.
Commenting on the appointment of Mr. Clayson to the Prince George clinic, Osvaldo Iadarola, president and chief executive officer of Audiotech, stated: "The hiring of Mr. Clayson marks the final stage of our successful Canadian clinic enhancement program. During the past year, we relocated our southwest Calgary clinic, opened a new clinic in Vernon, B.C., expanded our marketing efforts, increased our service capacity in Canmore, Alta., as well as Salmon Arm and Revelstoke, B.C., and completed the hiring of three excellent audiologists. The result of these initiatives was revenue growth of roughly 25 per cent in fiscal 2004 at our Canadian operations. With Mr. Clayson's addition, we will be able to expand our capacity in both Prince George and Kamloops, thereby fuelling further growth in fiscal 2005."