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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Hickey
Phone: 703-243-9262

Arlington, VA (October 22, 2003) - The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association's (HIGPA) membership elected new members to the 2004 term of the Association's Board of Directors at the 2003 International EXPO in Phoenix, Arizona on October 13, 2003.

Two new members were voted to HIGPA's Board of Directors. Two members whose terms expire on December 31, 2003 were thanked by HIGPA President and CEO, Robert Betz, Ph.D., for their commitment to HIGPA and the industry and both were awarded a plaque commemorating their service.

The new members joining the ranks of the Board of Directors include Vicki Mizel of Council Connections and Kim Kersten of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals-both elected for a two-year term running from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005. The departing members of HIGPA's Board include Karl Brother of Vector/AmeriNet and Henry Levi of Eli Lilly & Co.

"I would like to recognize the exceptional contributions of both Karl and Henry," Betz said. "These two individuals have demonstrated through their efforts the ability of committed individuals to make substantial improvements to the health care delivery system. We are grateful to them and their companies."

Following is a complete list of the 2004 Board of Directors:
Chair	Mark McKenna	Novation
Immediate Past Chair	Gerald Vicenzi	SYNERNET
Chair-elect	Alfred J. LoBiondo	GNYHA Services
Treasurer	Todd Ebert	AmeriNet Inc.
Secretary	Derwood Dunbar, Jr.	MAGNET, Inc.
Board Member	D. McWilliams Kessler	H.H. Kessler Foundation
Board Member	Allan Fine	Navigant Consulting
Board Member	Ed Gravell	Cardinal Health
Board Member	Rand Ballard	MedAssets HSCA
Board Member	Brian Kocher	Hill-Rom
Board Member	Darrel Weatherford	Consorta
Board Member	Wayne Thompson	Joint Purchasing Corporation
Board Member	Larry Lankard	BG Industries
Board Member	Susan DeVore	Premier
Board Member	Vicki Mizel	Council Connections
Board Member	Kim Kersten	AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
President & CEO	Robert Betz, Ph.D.	HIGPA

HIGPA's annual International EXPO was held this year in Phoenix, Arizona. Over 700 executives and senior managers from health care related companies attended this three-day educational and networking event, including leading Silver Sponsor Bayer Corporation.

Bayer Corporation, EXPO Silver Sponsor. Bayer Corporation is a research-based company with major business in health care and life sciences, and chemicals. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bayer Corp. operates 50 manufacturing operations and 50 sales offices nationwide and employs approximately 22,000 people in the United States. For more information, visit Bayer Corporation on the Internet at www.bayerus.com.

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of over 175 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations. HIGPA's Industry Members include purchasing groups, associations, and health care provider alliances. HIGPA's Trading Partner members include many of the world's leading health care product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers. According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals save patients over $30 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.

To learn more about HIGPA or the group purchasing industry, visit www.higpa.org or call 703-243-9262.

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