Minrad International (Orchard Park, New York) is set to join the broad-market Russell 3000 Index when Russell Investment Group reconstitutes its set of U.S. and global equity indexes. Membership in the Russell 3000, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in the large-cap Russell 1000 Index or small-cap Russell 2000 as well as the appropriate growth and value style indexes. Russell determines membership for its equity indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes.

MINRAD International is an interventional pain management company with real-time image guidance and anesthesia and analgesia product lines.

Southern Home Medical to franchise subsidiary

Southern Home Medical Equipment (Spartanburg, South Carolina) reports that it has launched a national franchising campaign of its subsidiary, Encore Medical Staffing. Greg Tucker, president/CEO said, "We are excited about the future of our company. The nurse staffing division of our company will prove to be a significant part of our business for years to come. We're just now scratching the surface and we've already had 12 serious inquiries concerning the Encore business."

Encore Medical Staffing supplies quality healthcare professionals on a per diem and temporary contract basis to hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes and other medical facilities. The majority of the staffing professionals consists of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants.

Southern Home Medical is a holding company with a focus on medical equipment operations in the Southeastern U.S.