Memphis, TN 06/20/03 - Memphis-based medical training and education firm, Challenger Corporation, today announced that it had signed a multiple-year agreement with Elsevier, a division of Reed-Elsevier, the world's largest publisher of medical textbooks and education materials. The collaboration involves the integration of Challenger's industry-leading electronic training and testing programs for physicians with a series of major textbooks published by Elsevier. Once in production, the combined text and testing content will permit physician customers to train for boards exams, re-certification, and ongoing continuing medical education (CME) fulfillment. Financial terms are confidential.
The textbooks to be integrated include flagship publications in emergency medicine, ultrasonography, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and a well-known medical dictionary. The agreement leaves open the possibility for expanding the relationship to other specialty areas as well. Elsevier publishes market-leading texts on virtually all clinical topics that physicians purchase for reference or educational purposes. Challenger publishes testing and training materials developed and maintained by its distribution network of over 140 physician authors and reviewers. The new integrated courses will provide physicians with immediate access to the highest quality reference material from Elsevier, while they study for exams, meet CME standards or otherwise prepare for evaluation and certification.
Challenger has previously developed integrated textbook offerings with McGraw-Hill, FA Davis and Landes BioSciences. However, the agreement with Elsevier represents a quantum expansion of this approach and a strategic decision to capitalize on the mutual market recognition of the Elsevier textbook line and Challenger testing and training materials.
The programs will be offered via a full range of online and offline electronic media. The first course, based on Rosen's Emergency Medicine, is currently in development and will be available for sales later this year. According to Challenger CEO and President Bob Sweeney, "This agreement should be accretive to our revenues over the next several years. It reflects the confidence of major publishers that Challenger is a partner of high quality and reliability for their marketing and publishing requirements."
Challenger owns the world's largest collection of approved electronic CME media with over 1850 approved hours of credit. Thousands of physicians and other clinicians rely upon Challenger material to prepare for specialty board exams, recertification, and continuous competency testing; to fulfill ongoing CME requirements; and to provide reference and patient-care decision support. Challenger serves the educational and training needs of over 385,000 practicing American primary care and hospital based physicians. Challenger products are approved for physician CME credit through joint sponsorships with prominent medical schools and specialty societies.
Media Contact:
Bob Sweeney
CEO and President
Challenger Corporation
5100 Poplar Ave, Suite 310
Memphis, TN 38137
Tel: (901) 762-8425
E-mail: bobs@chall.com
Denise Fundanish
Licensing Account Manager
Elsevier, Inc.
A Division of Reed Elsevier
The Curtis Center
Independence Square West
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3399
Tel: (717) 338-0164
E-mail: d.fundanish@elsevier.com
