FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2008
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Edwards’ Michael A. Mussallem Voted Chairman of
AdvaMed’s Board
Outgoing Chair Ed Ludwig Praised for Vision and Leadership
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La Quinta, CA – Edwards Lifesciences Chairman and CEO Michael A. Mussallem was named Chairman of AdvaMed’s Board of Directors, succeeding BD Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Edward J. Ludwig, the Association announced here today at its 2008 annual meeting.
Mussallem has chaired AdvaMed’s Board Payment and Health Care Delivery Committee since 2006, and in that role successfully led the industry’s advocacy campaign against sweeping changes to Medicare’s inpatient hospital prospective payment systems that would have negatively impacted patient access to advanced medical technologies.
“I am honored to serve as AdvaMed’s Chairman and look forward to building on its numerous successes as the leading advocacy group for the medical technology industry,” said Mussallem. ”During my next two years as Chairman, I will be dedicated first to doing what’s best for patients, while also working to increase awareness of the benefits of innovation in medical technology, enhance industry ethics and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders on a global basis. My predecessor, Ed Ludwig, has done an outstanding job growing what was already an effective advocacy organization, and I thank him for his vision and leadership.”
Ludwig’s tenure as AdvaMed Chair from 2006 to 2008 was marked by significant growth across the Association’s membership. He oversaw an expansion of AdvaMed’s advocacy portfolio beyond its traditional strength in regulatory, reimbursement and international issues to include legal issues and to impact the broader health care reform debate. In addition, Ludwig was responsible for raising the profile of the industry through his support of the association’s Value of Technology program and the AdvaMed 2007 conference and exhibition. During his tenure, Ludwig also raised public awareness of the medical technology industry’s corporate citizenship record, especially its extensive philanthropic endeavors which are making a difference in improving the health and well-being of people around the globe.
“AdvaMed has benefited greatly under Ed’s Chairmanship,” said AdvaMed President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl. “His experience as a member of the board for a major payer organization and hospital, his devotion to philanthropic works, not to mention running an international corporation on the cutting-edge of diagnostics, allowed Ed to bring a unique and valuable perspective to the opportunities and challenges facing the medical technology industry. I am confident that Mike will build on the superb work that Ed has done and keep AdvaMed on its trajectory of success.”
Also announced at the AdvaMed Annual Meeting: Beckman Coulter President and CEO Scott T. Garrett was named Chair of the Board Technology and Regulation Committee, Medtronic President and CEO William Hawkins began his term as Chair of the Board Payment and Health Care Delivery Committee, and Advanced Medical Optics Chairman and CEO James V. Mazzo took over the Chairmanship of the Board International Committee.
Newly elected AdvaMed Board members for 2008:
- Alan F. Herbert, Chairman, Hollister, Inc.
- Thomas Hook, President and CEO, Greatbatch, Inc.
- Lester B. Knight, Founding Partner, Roundtable Healthcare Partners
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AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. Our members produce nearly 90 percent of the health care technology purchased annually in the United States and more than 50 percent purchased annually around the world. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit
http://www.advamed.org/.