Danya International, Inc., Wins 2000 Tibbetts Award From U.S. Small Business Administration

SILVER SPRING, MD. (October 2, 2000) – Danya International, Inc., a health communications firm, announced today that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded it a 2000 Tibbetts Award. Named for Roland Tibbetts—acknowledged as the father of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program—these prestigious national awards are made annually to those firms judged to exemplify excellence in SBIR achievement.

"We are honored that the SBA and SBIR office has recognized Danya with this prestigious award," said Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman, founder and President and CEO of Danya International.

“We strive to build our company around basic principles of promoting health and facilitating growth through the creative use of new technology, and those same principles seem to be consistent with the SBIR program’s goals.” Dr. Hoffman added, “We are also excited to be a part of Silver Spring’s new growth and revitalization.”

Since 1996, Danya International has grown from a home-basement office to a staff of more than 65, with Fiscal Year 2000 revenues of $21 million. Danya’s rapid growth and success is largely attributable to the SBIR program. Beginning with its first SBIR contract from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to develop an online brief screening instrument to assess drug and alcohol problems in primary care settings, to its most recent award of a grant to develop a telemedicine model for substance abuse rehabilitation for Native Americans, Danya International has been awarded 20 SBIR contracts and grants, including five Phase II awards.

The national ceremony to recognize recipients of the Tibbetts Awards will be held in Washington, DC, on October 3, 2000. The event will include a specially arranged program of high-level briefings addressing issues of consequence to technology firms and the SBIR community, as well as a luncheon featuring a keynote speaker.

Danya International, a privately held company, is a healthcare communications firm that works with a variety of clients in both government and the private sector, to develop innovative and effective solutions to communications needs, including Website design, video production, meeting planning, marketing, and public relations.

About Danya International, Inc.

Danya creates, delivers, and evaluates innovative behavior change strategies that empower people of all ages and from all walks of life to live healthier and better educated lives. The company provides breakthrough services in the areas of public health communication, research and evaluation, information technology, education and training, program management support, and health product development. Founded on the guiding principles of integrity, quality, and creativity, Danya helps its public and private-sector clients to develop research-based tools and campaigns that communicate clear, concise, and effective health messages across all media forms. Founded in 1996, Danya is based in Silver Spring, Maryland. To learn more about the company, visit www.danya.com.