MADRID, June 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. , a leader in musculoskeletal care, today announced a new partnership with the EFORT (European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology) FOUNDATION to further educational opportunities for young orthopaedic surgeons. Zimmer will provide 120,000 euro to the EFORT FOUNDATION Visiting Fellowship Program, which will award grants to 40 visiting fellows from Europe to learn about new techniques in practical orthopaedics, trauma science and pathophysiology.

The grants are specifically intended for post-graduate surgeons specializing in Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedics (Knee, Hip, Shoulder, and Elbow) and Trauma. Each fellow will have an opportunity to spend four to six weeks at selected European centers, where they will be exposed to a high volume of surgical cases and coaching from experts. Each fellowship grant of 3,000 euro is intended to help cover travel and living expenses for the selected candidates.

At a time when public and non-corporate private funding required for the education of the next generation of medical professionals is under increasing pressure, Zimmer believes that it is vital that industry share in the commitment to advancing patient care, said Bruno Melzi, Chairman, Europe, Middle East and Africa. The 2010 Visiting Fellowship Program is aligned with Zimmer's commitment to medical education and we're excited to partner with the EFORT FOUNDATION to support the training of the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.

Established by EFORT in June 2009, the EFORT FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization focused on financing research and education initiatives in the fields of orthopaedics and trauma. The organization aims to become one of the preferred partners for the funding of musculoskeletal research to improve the clinical standard of orthopaedic and trauma care in Europe.

For details about the 2010 Visiting Fellowship Program, please visit http://www.efort.org/about/foundation.fellowship.aspx

About the Company

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer designs, develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer's 2009 sales were approximately US$4.1 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,000 employees worldwide.

For more information about Zimmer, visit http://www.zimmer.com

Zimmer Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as may, will, expects, believes, anticipates, plans, estimates, projects, assumes, guides, targets, forecasts, and seeks or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be set forth in our periodic reports. Readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, since, while we believe the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

SOURCE: Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Sabine Ciccotosto, +41-(0)52-262-72-41,sabine.ciccotosto@zimmer.com; or Investors, Paul Blair, +1-574-371-8042,paul.blair@zimmer.com, or James T. Crines, +1-574-372-4264,james.crines@zimmer.com