New World Medicine has a vision for humanity that started 30 years ago in Nigeria.
Dr. who was a young professor at that time. A. Mateen Ahmed was inundated with patients suffering from onchocerciasis, a condition also known as “river blindness”, transmitted by the bite of an infected black fly.
Symptoms usually do not appear for up to two years. But when they do, it can lead to vision changes — and in some cases, blindness.
Today, Ahmed’s Rancho Cucamonga-based company creates and manufactures surgical devices designed to relieve the symptoms of glaucoma, a related condition of onchocerciasis.
The company contributes more than 10% of its annual profits to support enhanced glaucoma screening and training for health care providers in developing countries. New World Medical applies the same meaning to its employees and has been honored as a top workplace in the Inland Empire, ranking first among nine mid-sized honorees.
New World’s nurturing work culture is reflected in comments made by employees in the Top Workplaces survey.
“I appreciate the true dedication to our mission as a company and our company’s dedication to doing what is best for our employees,” one worker wrote.
Others describe “the positive impact I’m making” and how New World wants its workers to “feel valued and enjoy the work they’re doing.”
We asked CEO Bilal Khan to talk about how the company’s products work, health conditions in developing countries and how New World values its employees. Their answers have been edited for length.
Question: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and there is no cure for this condition. Who is at higher risk of glaucoma?
A: 3 million Americans are affected by glaucoma. It is a group of diseases that affect individuals regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. However, factors that increase the risk of developing glaucoma include family history, ethnicity, advanced age, presence of nearsightedness, trauma, use of steroids, and blood pressure.
Question: Can you briefly describe how your products are used to treat this condition through early diagnosis and management?
A: Our products are designed to slow disease progression and preserve vision by lowering a patient’s intraocular pressure, the only known modifiable risk factor for glaucoma patients. This is achieved by increasing aqueous outflow from within the eye in a controlled fashion.
Q: New World Medical’s devices are designed to prevent the progression of glaucoma in developing countries. Are medical services significantly lacking in some of these places?
A: We work to do this in five ways. First, by developing and empowering surgeons with technology, we’ve helped improve the lives of more than one million patients globally. Second, we’ve created more than 200 fulfilling career opportunities for our mission-driven staff. Third, we support our staff by volunteering domestically and on eye mission trips abroad.
Fourth, we seek to expand access to care by providing products at no charge domestically and on mission trips. We try to price products in markets according to local ability to pay. Finally, we donate 10% of our profits every year through a donor-advised fund, Sidra Tree Foundation. Our mission is to strategically fund initiatives that expand access to quality eye care.
Question: New World is ranked as a great place to work by its employees. What kinds of policies or programs are in place to support existing employees and attract new ones?
A: We are catering to professions that contribute holistically to society. Our staff have seized this opportunity to create a dynamic, fast-growing business. This success has enabled us to not only continue our mission but also provide competitive compensation, profit sharing plan, 100% company-funded platinum health insurance, tuition assistance, regular professional development courses, career development program and daily. Company provided meals at our campus.
However, when I meet new employees, they say that the primary motivation for joining our company is our people. They are the foundation of our culture and success.
No. 1 Medium-sized company: New World Medical
Installed: 1990
Head Office: Rancho Cucamonga
Industry: Medical devices
Employees of the Inland Empire: 170
Website: newworldmedical.com
Reference: “Our people are the foundation of our culture and success”
