Over 3,500 people participated in the Cook Medical Mini Marathon at the University of Limerick on Sunday, October 5.
The event welcomed participants from across the country to run, jog, and walk the 5km and 10km courses, with many raising funds for their chosen charities. This year’s donations have exceeded €60,000, demonstrating the ongoing community spirit and generosity.
Commenting on the event, Carla DiBenedetto, HR director and race ambassador at Cook Medical, said, “We are thrilled to see so many participants come together for the Cook Medical Mini Marathon once again. This event is very close to our hearts, as it not only promotes health and fitness but also makes a meaningful difference through the charitable funds raised. Supporting our community and fostering strong connections remains at the core of what we do, and we are proud to be part of this event.”
Race Director John Cleary added, “This year’s Mini Marathon has once again demonstrated the incredible spirit of our community, with participants of all ages coming together to achieve their goals and support worthy causes. I want to thank everyone who took part and helped make this event such a memorable and impactful day for all involved.”
This year marks Cook Medical’s tenth consecutive year sponsoring the Mini Marathon, which has been extended through 2027.
The event continues to be a vital way for Cook to connect with the local community in Limerick and contribute to its health and wellbeing. Across its global sites, Cook remains committed to creating positive impacts in the communities where it operates, in its own unique Cook way.
Team Cook at the Cook Medical Mini Marathon
Cook Medical and Siemens Healthineers today announced a strategic commercial partnership aimed at setting a new standard for interventional medicine. The collaboration combines the power of Siemens Healthineers real-time magnetic resonance imaging with Cook Medical’s deep interventional procedure expertise, along with new medical devices developed by Cook specifically for the MRI environment. Together, the companies are creating the Interventional MRI (iMRI) Suite1, the first integrated, ionizing radiation-free solution intended to transform how clinicians diagnose, plan and perform minimally invasive procedures.
“MRI in the interventional suite has always been a concept with tremendous clinical potential, but it has also faced significant barriers. At Siemens Healthineers, we are committed to breaking those barriers to unlock new clinical opportunities and advance patient care. Together with Cook Medical, we’re leading the way into a new era where iMRI becomes a precise radiation-free standard of care,” said Andreas Schneck, head of Magnetic Resonance at Siemens Healthineers.
By leveraging MRI’s unparalleled soft tissue contrast, iMRI enables precise guidance for minimally invasive interventions, particularly in areas such as interventional oncology for soft tissue tumors, pediatrics, and structural heart procedures, where accuracy and safety are paramount. This approach allows clinicians to navigate complex procedures with confidence while eliminating exposure to ionizing radiation for both patients and healthcare teams.
This first-of-its-kind collaboration delivers a turn-key solution designed to accelerate iMRI adoption and advance clinical impact in interventional radiology. It encompasses suite planning, an MRI scanner designed for interventions1, MRI-specific medical devices, specialized training, and ongoing clinical support. Cook Medical brings extensive procedural knowledge, innovative device design, and comprehensive educational programs, while Siemens Healthineers contributes its world-class MR imaging technologies and services, including dedicated interventional planning software.
The integrated iMRI suite reflects a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration, offering clinicians a complete framework, from conceptual suite design to staff training, to enable the adoption of this transformative technology for enhanced patient care.
“Our partnership with Siemens Healthineers is about more than device integration; it’s about revolutionizing interventional procedures,” said Peter Polverini, vice president of Cook Medical’s iMRI Division. “By merging the top-tier MRI systems of Siemens Healthineers with Cook’s advanced devices and expertise, we’re unlocking high-precision treatments that elevate patient care and empower clinicians.”
1 The product is currently under development and not available for sale in the U.S.A. Its future availability cannot be guaranteed.
Disclaimer: The product names and/or brands referred to are the property of their respective trademark holders.
For more information about Cook Medical’s iMRI division, visit CookMedical.com/divisions/iMRI and follow the journey on iMRI LinkedIn.
Further information on the iMRI suite can be found here.
Media contacts
Cook Medical
Marsha Lovejoy
+1 812 320 6903; marsha.lovejoy@cookmedical.com
Siemens Healthineers
Stefanie Haug
+49 173 635 8240; stefanie.haug@siemens-healthineers.com
Visit the Siemens Healthineers Press Center.
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Cook Medical, a global medical device manufacturer, has announced a new collaboration to incorporate DuPont™ Tyvek® with Renewable Attribution into its medical device packaging. Together with Nelipak® Healthcare Packaging, an Authorized Converter of Tyvek® Healthcare Packaging products, Cook is taking action to deliver more sustainable product packaging that can be seamlessly integrated into existing healthcare packaging production processes.
The project involves the use of Tyvek® with Renewable Attribution in the packaging of Cook Medical’s Compass BDS® Biliary Plastic Stent and Resonance® Metallic Ureteral Stent, helping enable more sustainable healthcare packaging by reducing product carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels.
“We are committed to making sustainable choices across our business,” said Barry Slowey, chief sustainability officer at Cook Medical. “By integrating Tyvek® with Renewable Attribution into our packaging, we are taking meaningful steps toward reducing our carbon footprint and promoting environmentally responsible practices. We are excited to be an early adopter of this innovative offering, and we look forward to bringing it to our customers.”
“Nelipak® has long been an Authorized Converter of Tyvek®, delivering innovative healthcare packaging solutions worldwide. By including Tyvek® with Renewable Attribution, supplied from our ISCC PLUS certified sites, in our Ecovate® sustainable product portfolio, we are taking an important step to help our medical device customers achieve their carbon footprint reduction goals,” said Pat Chambliss, CEO at Nelipak®.
DuPont™ Tyvek® with Renewable Attribution has significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to conventional Tyvek®, while retaining its trusted performance and quality. The carbon footprint reduction of Tyvek® with Renewable Attribution is enabled by the partial replacement of fossil fuel materials with certified renewable sources.
This is achieved through the mass balance approach, in accordance with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) system. The use of certified bio-circular feedstock attributed to Tyvek® enables lower CO2 emissions and helps to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
“To protect our planet, we need to be innovative, passionate, and most importantly, collaborative. We are excited to work with like-minded, industry-inspiring organizations, such as Cook Medical and Nelipak®, who are helping to lead the way toward the use of more sustainable solutions in healthcare packaging,” said David Domnisch, vice president and general manager, DuPont Tyvek®.
Gayle Karch Cook, historical preservation activist and cofounder of the Cook companies alongside husband Bill Cook, passed away at 91 this morning. She is survived by her son Carl and daughter-in-law Marcy and their granddaughter, Eleanor.
“Gayle’s spirit of innovation was evident in everything she did. Whatever she was involved in, she left it better than she found it. This was true of her philosophy for the ever-growing company, her extensive efforts in renovating historically significant places, and her daily interactions with other people. That’s her inspiring legacy that we will keep striving for,” said Pete Yonkman, president of Cook Medical and Cook Group.
In 1963, Bill and Gayle Cook created a small company named Cook Incorporated that manufactured three simple medical devices used to treat patients in less invasive ways than common surgical techniques of the time. Gayle was the company’s first quality control employee, meticulously checking the devices Bill made after he finished work each night.
That small company grew into what is today Cook Group, a family of ethical and entrepreneurial companies. Cook Group includes the flagship company, Cook Medical, a global company that invents, manufactures, and delivers devices for treating conditions in almost every system of the body. Cook Group also includes companies in the life sciences, property management, resort, and service businesses.
Bill, Carl and Gayle Cook
The family planned ahead for this event, and nothing will change for employees moving forward. Carl Cook, Gayle and Bill’s son, has been CEO of Cook Group since his father’s passing in 2011. Company leadership will remain the same with Pete Yonkman as president of Cook Group and Cook Medical and Steve Ferguson as Chairman of the Board.
Gayle Karch Cook, born March 1, 1934, in Evansville, Indiana, made excellence her goal in every aspect of her life. She was salutatorian of Bosse High School when she graduated in 1952, and she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University in 1956. After graduating, she began her career in advertising in Chicago. After marrying her husband, Bill, they moved to Bloomington, Indiana. There, in the spare bedroom of their apartment, they officially began the company that would later become Cook Medical. The company’s focus has always been on the patient, with a goal to make surgeries minimally invasive.
She was committed to creating a vibrant community, as she also served on the board of directors for the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, the Bloomington Antique Mall, the Nature Conservancy, Indiana Chapter, and the board of trustees of the Indiana University Foundation.
Gayle was an avid supporter of historic preservation, and she was heavily involved in many restoration projects. She spearheaded about 70 historic preservation and economic revitalization projects, including the much-lauded West Baden Springs and French Lick resorts; Indianapolis’ Central Avenue Methodist Church; and Beck’s Mill and Cedar Farm complex in southern Indiana. The first property she restored and refurnished was the Colonel William Jones House, built in 1835. The house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is now a museum open to the public as a State Historic Site. Gayle restored historic sites to their original state, including the James Cochran house, the Illinois Central Freight Depot, the 8-story Graham Hotel, and more than 17 structures in the central square of Bloomington, Indiana.
In addition to her involvement in the restoration work itself, Gayle served on the boards of many restoration organizations. She was on the advisory committee of the Wylie House Museum, the Board of Governors of the Monroe County Historical Museum, the board of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, and was an appointee of the State Historic Preservation Review Board. She was also a founder of the Monroe County History Center Annual Garage Sale which has become a staple in the Bloomington community. With every project, Gayle’s philosophy was to restore not just the site itself, but also the character and beauty of the location for present and future generations. Historic preservation wasn’t just good business; it was an investment in the community.
Gayle authored and published two books detailing her passion for Indiana’s history. The first, A Guide to Southern Indiana, was published in 1972. The other, Monroe County in Focus: Portrait of an Indiana County, was published in 1990.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of IU, Gayle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts in 1956. She and her late husband were generous, far-sighted benefactors of IU’s Jacobs School of Music, School of Education, School of Medicine and Kelley School of Business, as well as supporting IU Athletics, the Wylie House Museum, the Wells Scholars program and research in the College of Arts and Sciences.
About Cook Medical
At Cook Medical, we are passionate about making unique, quality medical devices and connecting with people to improve lives. Founded on inventing, manufacturing, and delivering medical devices, we provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to help their patients return to living.
Our commitment to innovation involves bringing new products to market and keeping existing products relevant to a changing healthcare landscape. We believe in using our business to help people and communities thrive by creating inclusive, supportive, and healthy environments.
We are proud of our history of innovative firsts and the impact we have on patients and communities. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and manufacturing facilities and offices in various global locations, we challenge ourselves to maintain a global perspective while focusing on local impact.
Follow Cook Medical at CookMedical.eu and on LinkedIn.
Leveraging Cook’s history of innovative medical devices in a new procedural setting
Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical today announced the launch of its new Interventional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (iMRI) division, marking a significant step forward in its commitment to transforming how complex procedures and unmet clinical needs are addressed.
Unlike conventional tools repurposed for MRI use, Cook Medical is developing a portfolio of minimally invasive devices that have been purposefully engineered, over years of research and refinement, to meet the unique demands of interventional MRI environments. This approach is especially critical in pediatrics, oncology, and pediatric structural heart interventions, where precision and safety are of paramount importance. The new division marks a significant step toward transforming how clinicians diagnose, intervene, and care for patients.
The iMRI division collaborates closely with physicians, hospitals, and strategic partners to seamlessly integrate real-time magnetic resonance imaging. This empowers clinicians to visualize anatomy and instruments simultaneously, without the risks associated with ionizing radiation.
“We know that real progress happens when we listen to the people who use our products every day. The iMRI division is another example of Cook’s commitment to working alongside physicians to solve real challenges and improve lives,” said Pete Yonkman, president of Cook Medical and Cook Group. “We’re proud to support clinicians with technology that helps them do their best work for patients while advancing patient care.”
Rooted in a philosophy of prioritizing patients and physicians, Cook Medical’s iMRI division reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to meaningful, patient-centered innovation. Partnering with premier companies creating state-of-the-art imaging technology, the division aims to empower clinicians with the tools they need for improved outcomes.
Cook Medical appointed Peter Polverini as the new Vice President of the Interventional MRI division. Pete brings over 20 years of experience in advancing medical technology and fostering strong healthcare partnerships.
“I’m proud to lead a team building on years of collaboration with physicians to uncover real clinical needs. This division was born from those insights, where our devices can partner with better visualization and precision guidance to improve patient outcomes. Our mission is bold: to enable safer, more innovative, and more effective procedures through the use of interventional MRI. This is a paradigm shift in medicine, and we’re just getting started,” Polverini said.
About Cook Medical
At Cook Medical, we are passionate about making unique, quality medical devices and connecting with people to improve lives. Founded on inventing, manufacturing, and delivering medical devices, we provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to help their patients return to living.
Our commitment to innovation involves bringing new products to market and keeping existing products relevant to a changing healthcare landscape. We believe in using our business to help people and communities thrive by creating inclusive, supportive, and healthy environments.
We are proud of our history of innovative firsts and the impact we have on patients and communities. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and manufacturing facilities and offices in various global locations, we challenge ourselves to maintain a global perspective while focusing on local impact.
Follow Cook Medical at CookMedical.com and on LinkedIn.
For more information about Cook Medical’s iMRI division, visit CookMedical.com/divisions/iMRI and follow the journey on iMRI LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Marsha Lovejoy
Senior Manager, Global Public Relations
Cook Medical
812.320.6903
Marsha.Lovejoy@CookMedical.com
Cook Medical has released its Social Impact & Sustainability Report for 2024, highlighting the company’s commitment to working sustainably and responsibly while fulfilling its purpose to improve the lives of everyone it serves.
The report reflects on the achievements of Cook’s teams across all locations in social impact and sustainability throughout 2024.
Our social impact initiatives provide tangible outcomes and improved opportunities for our employees and those in the communities in which we operate. Our sustainability goals are centered on protecting and enhancing our local environments and reducing our carbon footprint on the planet.
While our activities may vary by location, collectively we are enhancing the health and quality of life for the people we work with and serve, protecting the environment, and fostering social development.
2024 Social Impact & Sustainability highlights:
- Achieved ISO 14001 certification for our European sales subsidiaries (16 countries) and made significant progress toward certification of our Indiana-based manufacturing sites.
- Finalized our global 10-year Decarbonization Strategy with goals and targets.
- Strengthened existing and developed new strategic social enterprise partnerships.
- Established a more sustainable office for our clinician Learning Centre in Barcelona, Spain.
- Completed all necessary preliminary work for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
- Achieved significant growth in our Business Resource Group membership and events.
- Conducted a companywide employee engagement survey, and continued implementation of improvements based on feedback from previous surveys.
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The 2025 Cook Medical Mini Marathon was officially launched at the Strand Hotel, Limerick, marking a significant milestone—Cook Medical’s 10th year as proud title sponsor.
Over 3,000 participants from all over Ireland are expected to take part in the event on Sunday, 5 October. The Mini Marathon kicks off at 12 pm at the University of Limerick, with participants of all ages walking, jogging, or running the 5 km and 10 km courses.
Each year, the event raises vital funds for local and national charities. Participants can link their race sign-up to a personally chosen charity through a dedicated online platform, Give2you, with all proceeds going directly to their chosen charity.
Speaking about the event, Race Director John Cleary said, “We’re thrilled to kick off the 2025 Cook Medical Mini Marathon, an event that continues to grow year after year. We’re especially proud to mark Cook Medical’s 10th year as title sponsor. I would like to thank them for their continued support and commitment to this event and our community. See you all at the starting line on Sunday, October 5.”
“This year is particularly special to us as we mark our 10th year in sponsoring the Mini Marathon,” said Carla DiBenedetto, HR director and race ambassador at Cook Medical. “We’re proud to continue supporting this long-standing event that brings people together to have fun, while also raising vital funds for charities. The Mini Marathon reflects our commitment to building deep and lasting connections within our community, and we’re honoured to be part of it. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, October 5.”
All participants will receive a 2025 race top and a 2025 commemorative medal. To register for the Cook Medical Mini Marathon, visit limerickminimarathon.com.
Supporting communities through actions such as sponsoring the Mini Marathon is part of Cook’s vision and strategic plan. Their activities may vary across the globe, but together they are committed to making an impact everywhere they operate in their unique Cook way.
Cook Medical has been listed as one of LinkedIn’s Top Companies in Ireland in 2025, recognising the 25 best workplaces to grow your career in Ireland.
LinkedIn evaluates several key factors when compiling the list, including looking at how companies perform in areas such as employee advancement opportunities, skills development and the overall supportiveness of the company’s culture.
Cook Medical is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential within Cook.
Carla DiBenedetto, director of HR, commented on this achievement, “Our people are our greatest asset and are at the heart of everything we do. We provide resources and benefits to help our employees achieve their personal and professional goals while actively working to remove any barriers that stand in their way. Therefore, being recognised on this list is a privilege.”
For more information, read the LinkedIn Top Companies 2025, The 25 best workplaces to grow your career in Ireland.
