Recognition was given during the company’s annual employee holiday program Dec. 19 at the Medtronic World Headquarters in Minneapolis.

Dr. Barry Kimberley, an ENT specialist who recently established his practice in Newton and joined the medical staff at Newton Medical Center, told thousands of Medtronic employees about his experience with the Pillar implant procedure. This simple, safe treatment reduces snoring and, in many cases, helps patients with obstructive sleep apnea. It can be performed in a clinic setting using only local anesthetic.

Dr. Kimberley was one of six physicians selected for this recognition. The physicians and their respective patients were guests at a special reception and dinner hosted by Earl Brakken, the scientist who founded Medtronic.

The Pillar system is indicated for the use in the reduction of symptomatic, habitual snoring caused by a flutter of tissue in the soft palate. The minimally invasive procedure may benefit patients with upper airway obstruction in mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Dr. Kimberley is the only Newton physician, and one of only five physicians in the greater Wichita metropolitan area offering the Pillar procedure.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Kimberley at (316) 283-2828 or 1-877-ENT-SLEeP. His office is located in suite 101 of Newton’s Medical Office Plaza.