Press Releases
The Tragic Loss of a Friend, Colleague
and Pioneer
On January 11, 2011, the world lost Mr. Ken Locklear, President of Best Publishing Company and American Baromedical Corporation.
Ken was a founder and the first executive director of the International Hyperbaric Medical Association (IHMA). Due to lack of clinical progress in the field of hyperbaric medicine Ken and others were driven to start a new hyperbaric medical association dedicated to rapidly advancing the field of hyperbaric medicine. As an ex-Navy diver who had experienced the life-saving ability of emergent hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Ken felt that that this therapy had the potential to save countless lives. More importantly, he and the IHMA leadership felt that it should be widely available to any patient stricken with a life-threatening condition. Ken volunteered to be the first executive director and followed his dream to make HBOT a reality for every patient who could benefit from its healing potential.
In his quest to advance hyperbaric medicine Ken was very productive as the IHMA’s first executive director. He was instrumental in securing the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services’ approval of diabetic foot wounds as the first new CMS hyperbaric indication in 18 years. He was also responsible for inputting recommendations to the Texas State Insurance Commission on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in their newly passed legislation mandating reimbursement of treatment for brain injury. On behalf of patients he represented the IHMA at state Medicaid hearings, medical board proceedings, and brought to the forefront important topics in hyperbaric medicine. Through his efforts he was able to force the publication of an article establishing the ethical basis of off-label application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. During his three year tenure he tirelessly advocated for hyperbaric oxygen therapy without a salary at considerable personal sacrifice. H self-funded and launched HBO Med Today, a hyperbaric medicine trade journal that quickly became widely read and acknowledged for its fair, balanced, and informative reporting. In HBO Med Today he was able to explore, investigate, and debate controversial important issues and further his work and the message of the IHMA. His work as executive director was precedent setting. The IHMA, the hyperbaric medicine community, and the American public are indebted to Ken for his many contributions as our first executive director.
We will all miss Ken Locklear, his vision, his enthusiasm, his passion and his steadfast determination to help those around him. Our condolences to his wife, three children, family, and dedicated employees. We look forward to working with his team to help make his pioneering discoveries about cancer treatment the standard of care in America. The integration of oxygen saturation with other techniques may offer hope for future sufferers from cancer, and eventually help prevent the kind of tragic loss that Ken’s family and friends are experiencing.
Paul G. Harch, M.D.
Kenneth P. Stoller, M.D.
William A. Duncan, Ph.D.
Anita Duncan, C.A.P.
In lieu of flowers please send donations in Ken’s honor to:
First Care Pregnancy Center | PO BOX 15198 West Palm Beach, FL. 33416/
Acts 2 Worship Center | 13000 Okeechobee Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470
Oxygen Research Foundation | 2700 PGA Blvd. Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BEST PUBLISHING
It is with our deepest regret that we announce the passing of Mr. Kenneth Locklear, President of Best Publishing Company and American Baromedical Corporation yesterday, January 11th 2011. Our most sincere sympathies go out to Ken’s family and his many friends and colleagues around the world. Ken Locklear was just 41 years old and he leaves behind his wonderful wife Heather and three remarkable children.
Ken was at the prime of his life and career. Having established American Baromedical Corporation in 1997, Ken’s successful approach to business contributed to the overall advancement of the hyperbaric medicine field. Ken had been instrumental in driving regulatory change and broadening of the indications list for HBO. Ken implemented the Oxygen Research Foundation in 2008 with the intent to achieve as many research studies as financially possible in order to profess the need for this source of alternative medicine to medical care providers, insurance companies, legislation and all other necessary mediums. His latest endeavor was the purchase of Best Publishing Company where he believed that widespread dissemination of education and knowledge was fundamental to the continued long term success of the wound care and hyperbaric industry. His passion led to the launch of WCHMedia Group, a division of Best Publishing which is responsible for the successful publishing of the Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Journal, Calendar and Resource Guide.
Ken was a visionary leader who often took the road less traveled which paid dividends over time. Ken always wanted the best for the stakeholders, most important of those, the patients.
He was a positive light for all of us and unfortunately it was extinguished too early. We ask that you take a moment and pray for the Locklear family and respect their privacy during this sad time.
Check out the latest copy of the Score Card. So far, five of five active duty veterans have had their medical boards cancelled and been able to return to duty. That saved the Federal government an estimated $6.3 million in retraining costs, for a cost of $62,500 for the medical treatment. Sixteen war veterans treated have all had significant improvement.
If you know a veteran who is seeking treatment for their blast injury, they can call Dr. Harch's office in Louisiana to see if they qualify for the pilot study. The treatment is provided at not cost and in many cases their living expenses are paid for the 35 days they are in New Orleans.
Press Release 01/20/09 PDF
Score Card 01/20/09 PDF
IHMA and Point Man Ministries Joint Forces to Get Effective Brain Injury and PTSD treatment for Veterans in Oklahoma: Tulsa, December 1, 2008
Press Release 12/01/2008 PDF
There is a Treatment for TBI & PTSD: IHMA Response to RAND TBI/PTSD Study:
Washington, D.C., April 28, 2008
Press Release 08/04/2008 PDF
