Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A. and Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation, (formerly Hitachi Healthcare Americas) have merged into one enterprise that will operate under the name Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation.

Together, both organizations compiled a portfolio of solutions for digital radiography, CT, endoscopy, endosurgery, enterprise imaging, in vitro diagnostics, MR, mammography and ultrasound, according to Henry Izawa, who will lead the combined company.

"We knew we would be able to better leverage the strengths of our talented people and innovative products - to create new value and contribute to the evolution of medical care - as one Fujifilm company. In addition to this, FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas Corporation now has more sales and service resources on the ground to better service our customers," Izawa, who is also the president and CEO of Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation, told HCB News.

Izawa says the merger is expected to bring many positive changes that will enhance Fujifilm's ability to delivery quality care solutions to providers and patients. One of the company's first objectives, for instance, will be to launch a new clinical solutions division within the organization. The division will drive organ-based clinical initiatives to increase its presence in the acute care areas of the top 150 health systems. It will also raise Fujifilm's brand recognition and further establish it as a clinical leader.

Leading the division will be John Waddell, vice president of clinical solutions, who is responsible for Fujifilm's in-vitro diagnostics, Clinical 3D, and Surgical/Urology Ultrasound portfolios, according to Izawa. "The division will focus on the needs of facilities' tumor boards, which include pathologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists, and they evaluate a wide variety of information in recommending treatment. The grouping of these three businesses under John enables Fujifilm today to offer in-vitro diagnostics for staging, 3D software for planning, and intraoperative ultrasound for the guidance of liver disease."

The merger comes just months after the completion of the acquisition of Hitachi’s diagnostic imaging business by Fujifilm Corporation in a $1.6 billion absorption-type company split deal. The purchase added Hitachi’s CT, MR, X-ray and ultrasound systems to Fujifilm’s portfolio, as well as a 5.5% stake it held in the global medical imaging market. It also added endoscopy, in vitro diagnostic systems and PACS, including a new portfolio of endoscopic ultrasound PACS. Formerly known as Hitachi Healthcare Americas Corporation, the business was renamed in July as Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation to reflect the transfer.

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