News Briefs

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Brnovich: Hearing device company misled customers

Attorney General Mark Brnovich obtained an assurance of discontinuance against Budget Hearing Aids and its subsidiary, Audien (Budget), to stop the company from misleading consumers about over-the-counter hearing devices.

Budget owns several websites and advertises “FDA approved” or “FDA registered” hearing devices, even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any over-the-counter hearing aids.

The attorney general’s office claims Budget’s use of these terms conveys a message to the public that the FDA favors or endorses a particular product or service.

As a result of the settlement, the attorney general’s office required Budget desist from using this deceptive tactic and to remove the FDA logo and the terms “FDA approved” and “FDA registered” from any of its advertising. This injunctive term promotes truth in advertising in this burgeoning marketplace.

“My office will continue to be vigilant in protecting consumers by holding companies accountable for their misleading tactics,” Brnovich says. “Consumers looking for an affordable over-the-counter hearing device should do their homework before making a purchase.”

Last year, Brnovich was the country’s first attorney general to warn Arizona consumers about the misleading tactics being utilized by the flood of over-thecounter hearing device companies that entered the market when the FDA relaxed restrictions on hearing amplifier devices.

Brnovich offers the following consumer tips when buying over-the-counter hearing devices: • FDA guidance for the over-the-counter hearing device market does not exist.

These devices may not work for those with significant or severe hearing loss. • Always check the Better Business Bureau and other objective consumer review websites before buying. • If you choose to buy, always price shop and review the product details carefully.

If the product could be of use, you often can find the same or similar product at lower prices. • Carefully read the timeframes and conditions for refunds before you buy. If you agree to an upgrade on your original purchase, be sure to clarify the time remaining during which you may request a refund.

Assistant Attorney General Jane Fallon handled the case for the state.

Those who feel they have been victims of consumer fraud should call 628-6648.

UA College of Medicine names new surgery chair

Dr. Geoffrey Gurtner has been named chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, effective January 10.

“We conducted a national search and found Dr. Gurtner’s skills and experience to be exceptional,” says Dr. Michael M.I. Abecassis, MBA, dean of the UA College of Medicine-Tucson.

“He possesses a unique combination of clinical excellence, an aptitude for educating and training students, residents and fellows, and an outstanding track record of conducting research that not only advances the science of medicine but benefits people through real-world applications.”

Gurtner joins the college from the Stanford School of Medicine, where he is the Johnson & Johnson Distinguished Professor of Surgery, co-director of the Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, professor of bioengineering, professor of materials science and engineering, executive director of the Stanford Advanced Wound Care Center, and inaugural vice chair for Innovation in the Stanford Department of Surgery.

Gurtner graduated from Dartmouth College and earned his medical degree at the University of California, San Francisco. He completed his internship and surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, followed by a plastic surgery residency at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at NYU Medical Center and a fellowship in oncologic microsurgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Gurtner is internationally recognized as a highly accomplished clinician and prolific researcher, author, inventor and entrepreneur. He has been awarded more than $27 million in federal research funding and holds 35 patents. He also has founded three venture capital-backed life sciences companies.

SAACA, Oro Valley partnering for photo contest

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and the town of Oro Valley are partnering up once again to capture the essence of Oro Valley life, animals, outdoor spaces, urban and residential life, and experience of life within the community with the inaugural Oro Valley Community Photography Competition.

The competition aims to reveal the essence of Oro Valley through the lens of a camera.

Online submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. February 10.

The 2022 competition will provide three main categories for submission, including major themes of People, Places & Nature, and Animals & Wildlife. More information on these category descriptions can be found on the competition website, orovalleyphotos.com.

Cash prizes will be provided in each of the categories for first, second and third place, and two honorable mention ribbons in each category. A special youth category has been established to encourage participation from entrants younger than the age of 18.

The community can submit up to three entries through orovalleyphotos.com. Photographs will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact and artistic merit from a panel of emerging and established professional artists and editorial contacts.

The town of Oro Valley and the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance will host a collaborative winners’ presentation award ceremony in the spring. Details will be announced through the website.

Oro Valley wins statewide ‘Project of the Year’

The Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association has named Oro Valley winner of the 2021 Project of the Year for Transportation Projects $5 million to $25 million for its project La Cholla Boulevard: Overton to Tangerine roads.

The La Cholla project is one of the approved projects in the 2006 Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan to widen La Cholla Boulevard from Magee to Tangerine roads. Phase I, Magee to Overton roads, was completed and managed by Pima County. Phase II, Overton to Tangerine roads, was managed by the town of Oro Valley.

The improvements provide traffic capacity and all-weather crossings, improve user safety and operations, and increase mobility. The project completes a vital connection between two completed RTA projects: the 600-foot bridge structure over the Cañada Del Oro Wash to the south and Tangerine Road improvements to the north. Safety upgrades include widening, roadway profile, bicycle lanes, separate path/sidewalk, turn lanes at intersections, signalized pedestrian crossings, an equestrian crossing and stormwater conveyance under La Cholla Boulevard that also provides safe animal crossings. The project was designed by AECOM, with construction provided by Hunter Contracting.

“This was a remarkable project to complete,” says Paul Keesler, Oro Valley public works director and town engineer.

“With nearly a year of the construction work taking place during the pandemic, it was through an extraordinary effort that we were able to maintain the progress and cost to deliver the project on schedule and on budget. My eternal thanks to the team of fantastic professionals who accomplished this feat.”

Throughout the design and construction, the town of Oro Valley partnered with Pima County and the RTA. These partnerships allowed the town and county to pull assets and expertise together to form an excellent project team.

Tucson man accused of taking money from vulnerable adults

Hector Andres Aleman was indicted by a state grand jury with 20 criminal charges, including fraudulent schemes and artifices, forgery, computer tampering, and taking the identity of another, according to Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

The charges stem from Aleman allegedly using a position of trust to take advantage of three vulnerable adults by gaining access to the victims’ funds and transferring the money to himself.

The indictment alleges that from March through November 2018, Aleman applied for loans in the name of two victims without their authorization or knowledge and kept the cash for himself. Additionally, Aleman is accused of falsifying probate documents for a recently deceased victim so Aleman could direct the estate’s assets to himself.