SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 15, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Desert Health Products, Inc. (OTCBB:DHPI) announced today that it has appointed Leonard Makowka, M.D., Ph. D., as head of DHPI's Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Makowka, a distinguished clinical surgeon, transplantation surgeon and medical researcher, is recognized as one of the world's leading authorities in hepatic science (study relating to the liver). Dr. Makowka has retired from surgical practice and has been using his medical expertise to pursue investment strategies and technology development in life sciences and other technological areas. Besides his clinical accomplishments he has served in numerous executive positions. From 1995 to 1997, he was the Executive Director of the Comprehensive Liver Disease and Treatment Center and Director of the Liver Transplant Program at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Los Angeles California. Prior to that he served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery and the Director of Transplantation Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles California, from 1989 to 1995. Dr. Makowka was also appointed Professor of Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine for that period.
Dr. Makowka with this agreement allows Royal Products, Inc., (RPI) a wholly owned subsidiary of DHPI, to use his name and endorsement on all RPI labels, brochures, sales literature, and audios and CD's.
Johnny Shannon, President and CEO, stated, "Desert Health's decision to enter into an agreement with Dr. Makowka will strengthen management's ability to keep apprised of ground-breaking developments in the nutraceutical industry. Makowka's extensive knowledge of the medical field will play a significant role in Desert Health's growth and development."
Dr. Makowka, 50, is actively involved as an advisor to, or member of the board of several companies. He was a Managing Director of Innovative Technology Partners LLC, and since May 1998 and until recently, has served on the Board of Directors of Hollis Eden Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:HEPH). He has been a Corporate Member of Blue Shield of California since 1995.
In 1999, Dr. Makowka joined the Advisory Board of the California Association of Naturopathic Physicians. He is a member of the Board of Directors of KineMed Inc. and is on the Scientific Advisory Board of Unigen Pharmaceuticals. He is also an advisor to Source Precision Medicine, is Chief Scientific Advisor for Universal Detection Systems and a consultant to the University of Miami Medical School.
Makowka was a founding partner of After Midnight Entertainment Inc., a syndicated radio company that was acquired by Premiere Radio Networks and then Jacor.
Dr. Makowka received his M.D. degree from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1977, and M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto's Department of Pathology in 1979 and 1982. He has published over 400 articles and chapters in both clinical and basic scientific research and has lectured worldwide. As one of the world's leading surgeons in his field, he has performed hundreds of hepatobiliary and liver transplant procedures.
DHPI is an international distributor of nutrition and dietary supplements. DHPI has implemented a Global commercialization strategy for its diversified line of nutritional products. DHPI strives to give the customer the best quality vitamins and minerals at the most competitive prices.
Safe Harbor Statement: Except for historical information, the matters set forth herein, which are forward-looking statements, involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. Potential risks and uncertainties are not limited to: any perceived or actual benefits of trading on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, the market acceptance and amount of sales derived from the Company's operations, the competitive environment within the nutrition and dietary supplement industry, and the market acceptance and successful technical and economic implementation of the Company's operations.