News Room

April 23, 2005


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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For more information, contact Meredith Falke, (214) 891-7795 meredith_falke@richards.com

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MEDIA ALERT

Texas Back Institute Discuss Treatment Options for Young Moldovan Woman Sex Trafficking Victim From Moldova Will Receive Medical Treatment Courtesy of Texas Back Institute Research Foundation and Team of Physicians

Who:   Texas Back Institute Research Foundation

What:   Press conference to review Moldovan patient’s care and treatment plan.

When:  Monday, April 25 at 1 p.m.

Where: Texas Back Institute
              6020 W. Parker Road, Second Floor
              Plano, Texas 75093

Please access the building via the south entrance and proceed to the second floor. The press conference will be held in the large conference room.

Texas Back Institute Research Foundation (TBIRF) physicians, along with a team of local specialists, will be donating professional treatment and services to a 19-year-old Moldovan woman, an escaped sex trafficking victim. She will become the first recipient of TBIRF’s Patient Assistance Fund. The fund was created to assist those less fortunate and in need of medical treatment for the neck and back.

Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) discovered the young woman while traveling in Albania, Greece, Italy and Moldova on a fact-finding delegation, where she was briefed on the growing epidemic of sex trafficking among women and children. While visiting an inadequate medical facility, Granger met and was deeply moved by the story of the young woman. In a move to save the girl, Granger sought the help of Texas Back Institute, who agreed to provide treatment for the patient free-of-charge.


Texas Back Institute Research Foundation: Texas Back Institute Research Foundation (TBIRF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation dedicated to improving the care of patients with back and neck pain through research and education. Research includes a wide variety of clinical studies primarily dealing with new technologies. These studies result in numerous national and international presentations and publications. The educational component includes the training of spine surgeons from across the country as well as international visitors. TBIRF expansions include a state-of-the-art conference center with a hands-on training lab to instruct other physicians in surgical devices. TBIRF’s national and international recognition continues as they strive to be a leader in improving spine care for patients.

Texas Back Institute: Texas Back Institute (TBI) is the largest freestanding spine specialty clinic in the United States. The Institute, based in Plano, Texas, was established 27 years ago and provides comprehensive medical care for individuals with back and neck pain. TBI is a back care leader specializing in spinal arthroplasty and minimally invasive spine surgery. As an academic health care organization, TBI has trained hundreds of physicians, scientists and allied health professionals. Its research institution employs state-of-the art technology and research to treat patients and is involved in the most clinical trials of artificial discs. TBI's professional staff includes board-certified spine surgeons, general surgeons, internists, chiropractors, physiatrists, pain specialists, exercise physiologists and a team of physical and occupational therapists. Texas Back Institute's offices are located in Plano, Denton, Fort Worth, Greenville, Garland, Hurst, Midland, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. For more information visit www.texasback.com