About
What differentiates JEI from others? Our highly experienced team will customize your training, exhibit, and marketing projects as if we were on staff. We are able provide you with a turnkey solution to get you started, or continue to be the “behind the scenes” resources you rely upon. We hit the ground running with decades of knowledge and hands-on experience!
Marc Thorne, PA
Co-Founder
Marc is a PA and has over 30 years experience in orthopedics, with approximately 24 years devoted to medical education, sales, marketing and product development in the medical device industry. The majority of his orthopedic experience is focused on shoulder, knee and hip arthroscopy & arthroplasty, with a secondary focus on distal extremities and fracture fixation. Heading up the ConMed Linvatec Professional Education Department as Global Director, his clinical background aided him in developing a robust and successful sales force and surgeon education program, as well as implementing their field based Clinical Specialist Education Team. During his time with Linvatec, he was integral in the development and validation/end user testing of several key products, as well as designing, testing and launching the Spectrum MVP™ and the Thorne Chuck™. Following his time with ConMed Linvatec, and after a brief time with Sawbones, Inc., he joined Tornier as Medical Education Director. He then returned to clinical practice for several years with a primary focus on injuries of the shoulder and knee prior to directing the Evolution Surgical medical education department for Arthrex in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Karen Sousa
Co-Founder
Karen Sousa is a conference management and medical education professional focused on providing an exemplary experience for healthcare professionals. She has worked in the medical device industry for 28 years, delivering world-class, cutting edge programs for surgeons and industry professionals. Karen has extensive experience creating programs that feature surgical skills, didactic sessions and surgical demonstrations. In addition to her medical education and conference experience, Karen has a proven track record in planning technical exhibits. She has delivered exhibits, sponsorship opportunities and created a brand and new product awareness at major conferences and association meetings. Karen has extensive knowledge of AdvaMed and HCP compliance guidelines and requirements.
Melissa Thorne
Social, Health & Wellness Director
Melissa Thorne, a former business owner and nurse, manages and operates the backbone of social needs for our clients. She assists and provides detailed materials for the meetings, coordinates and assists with meeting setup and functions and provides health and wellness through dietary needs as well as yoga for a holistic approach to keep our clients and their families on a healthy track.
Melissa Pritz
Events Director
Melissa has joined JEI as an Events Director with a proven successful track record of 20+ years in medical devices meeting planning and project management.
Melissa began her professional journey in Marketing at Linvatec Corporation. Quickly finding her niche in Meeting Services/Professional Education. She excelled in her role of planning and executing national corporate meetings, sales training, hosting international events, association conferences, investor briefings, product launches, and surgeon educational workshops and labs. Coordinating multiple activities across functional areas, she developed critical knowledge and a solid commitment to event priorities along with the ability to be flexible and adaptive to changing circumstances.
Further expanding into Marketing Communications, she directed a wide variety of projects. Her primary role as convention and conference manager was critical to the image and presence at all major meetings. Her talent and creativity know no bounds. Stepping up to any challenge has laid the foundation for her strong belief in organizing creative, engaging, and profitable events.
Melissa resides in Tampa Bay, Florida with her family and enjoys volunteering at an equine-assisted therapy horse farm.