GRMC Fitness Center – A new standard of clean
and safe community fitness with CuVerro®
October 28, 2014
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. and GRINNELL, Iowa — On October 21st the Grinnell Regional Medical Center
celebrated the new Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center with an open house celebration. Nearly 400
people attended the day-long event with a range of activities showcasing the new facility and its
state of the art equipment and programs.
Products made from CuVerro® bactericidal copper alloy touch surfaces were featured throughout
the Ahrens Fitness Center. From free weights, to switch plates, door and faucet handles, CuVerro
surfaces kill 99% of bacteria* within two hours of contact when cleaned regularly. An EPAregistered copper alloy surface, the properties of CuVerro have been proven effective 24/7, never
washing out or wearing away to continuously kill infectious bacteria*.
Todd Linden, GRMC President and CEO, was instrumental in outfitting the new facility with
CuVerro. “I see CuVerro surfaces as a significant factor in creating cleaner healthcare and
community environments” Linden says. “With a desire to be health conscious, the notion that
creating an environment that’s as free as possible from bacteria and the spread of infectious
bacteria is what appealed to us. We believe it is important for the mission of the fitness center.
CuVerro will be good for clients, the staff of the facility, and the community to live in as well.”
A range of manufacturer affiliates, each expert in their field, worked closely in the development
and installation of products manufactured from CuVerro® bactericidal touch surfaces throughout
the Ahrens Fitness Center. Products made from CuVerro surface include free weights by Black
Iron Strength, switch and outlet plates by Eaton, cabinet hardware by Colonial Bronze, and grab
bars and faucet handles by Rocky Mountain Hardware.
Kon John, Director CuVerro Business and Market Development attended the open house, stating
“We are honored to be part of this landmark event. Todd Linden and his team at the GRMC have
done a remarkable job developing the Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center, focused around heightened
community wellness. We are very excited that CuVerro is integral to impacting the cleanliness of
the facility by continuously killing bacteria, and ultimately helping to create a healthier
environment”. Kon John added “We’d also like to thank all of our affiliates, in particular Tom
Grace of Black Iron Strength for his efforts in launching CuVerro fitness equipment made from
bactericidal copper”.
Shannon Hinsa-Leasure, associate professor and chair of biology at Grinnell College, is leading
the research to study the bactericidal efficacy of CuVerro bactericidal touch surfaces throughout
the fitness center. Students working with Hinsa-Leasure are collecting bio load samples from the
free weights at the Ahrens Fitness Center and will compare them to samples from the free
weights at the Grinnell College fitness center.
“This will identify bacteria load differences to help pave the way for cleaner antibacterial outfitted
facilities in the future” Linden says.
The Ahrens Fitness Center has more than 400 members. In addition to fitness services, the
facility also offers acupuncture, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and therapeutic massage. The
new fitness center touts wellness care and programs featuring:
All of the interior and equipment needs at the fitness center have been entirely funded with
charitable donations, thanks to more than 300 gifts from the GRMC Moving at the Speed of Life
campaign. Support has included donations from many fitness center members and lead gifts from
the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust, and the
Michael and Susan Witt Foundation.
For more information about the GRMC Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center, please contact Denise
Lamphier, GRMC director of communications and development, at 641-236-2589 or
dlamphier@grmc.us.
CuVerro® is manufactured by GBC Metals, LLC, doing business as Olin Brass, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper, Inc. which is a subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper
Holdings, Inc., the leading manufacturer and distributor of copper, copper-alloy and bactericidal
copper sheet, strip, plate, foil, rod, ingot and fabricated components in North America and one of
the largest in the world. GBC Metals engages in the melting, casting, rolling, drawing, extruding
and stamping of specialized copper and copper alloys finished products from scrap, cathode and
other refined metals. For more information about CuVerro, email Kon John, Director CuVerro
Market and Business Development, at Kon.John@olinbrass.com, visit www.cuverro.com or call 1877-311-2883. (OB-0022-1410)
*Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, CuVerro surfaces kill greater than 99.9%
of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus,
Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli O157:H7, and
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE).The use of CuVerro® antimicrobial copper
products is a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices; users
must continue to follow all current infection control practices, including those practices related to
cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. This surface has been shown to reduce
microbial contamination, but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination.
Copyright © 2014 GBC Metals, LLC. All rights reserved.