Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAN) announced today that Linda D. Norman, DSN, RN, FAAN, was named dean of Vanderbilt University School of Nursing effective July 1, 2013. Dr. Norman has served as a Director of Span-America since 2006.

Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. Director Linda D. Norman Named Dean of Vanderbilt University Scho ...

Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. Director Linda D. Norman Named Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Norman is recognized as a national and international leader in nursing and health profession education. She is the Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt and has served as senior associate dean for Academics at Vanderbilt's School of Nursing. Dr. Norman will replace Colleen Conway-Welch, Ph.D., CNM, who is retiring as dean at the end of June.

"We are pleased to have Dr. Norman as a member of Span-America's Board of Directors," stated Thomas D. Henrion, Chairman of the Board of Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. "Our medical segment is our largest business unit and we value Dr. Norman's expertise and contributions to our Board as one of the leading clinical academicians in the nursing field."

Vanderbilt's School of Nursing is known for its innovative educational approaches, multiple entry options, flexible scheduling and distance learning options. It has one of the most extensive nurse faculty practice networks in the country and offers the latest informatics technology woven throughout all of its programs. Within the School of Nursing, nearly 1,000 students are pursuing master's and doctorate degrees across a diverse array of specialties, continuing a decades-long tradition for training nursing leaders.

During her time at Vanderbilt, Dr. Norman has led key initiatives that included:

? Transition of the Master of Science clinical majors from the clinical nurse specialist to nurse practitioner.

? Initiation of six new MSN specialties and three combined specialties.

? Development and implementation of the blended distance learning options.

? Implementation of the Ph.D. in Nursing Science and Doctor of Nursing Science programs.

Dr. Norman is currently the co-leader of the Vanderbilt Program in Interprofessional Learning with Bonnie Miller, M.D., senior associate dean for Health Sciences Education at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and a member of the Southern Education Consortium for Interprofessional Education, both funded by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation.

Inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2004, Dr. Norman currently serves as director of evaluation at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Northwest Health Foundations Partners Investing in Nursing Initiative.

She is the co-author of over 30 articles in professional publications, including the Journal of Nursing Administration, Nursing Economic$, Joint Commission Journal of Quality and Patient Safety and the Journal of Professional Nursing. Dr. Norman is also the author or co-author of chapters or books on various nursing and patient care topics in nine books published between 1990 and 2011.

About Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.

Span-America manufactures and markets a comprehensive selection of pressure management products for the medical market, including Geo-Matt®, PressureGuard®, Geo-Mattress®, Custom Care®, Span+Aids®, Isch-Dish®, Risk Manager® and Selan® products. We also supply custom foam and packaging products to the consumer and industrial markets. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary Span Medical Products Canada Inc., we manufacture and market the M.C. Healthcare Products brands of Maxxum, Advantage and Rexx bed frames as well as related case goods, tables and seating products for the long-term care market. Span-America's stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "SPAN." For more information, visit www.spanamerica.com and www.mchealthcare.com.

Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.
Jim Ferguson, 864-288-8877 ext. 6912