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

Arlington, VA (October 18, 2004) – The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA) awarded Ed Gravell, Cardinal Health’s Vice President of Health Systems, with the inaugural health care purchasing industry’s 2004 HIGPA Achievement Award at the Association’s 2004 International EXPO in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Gravell was recognized by his HIGPA member peers for his service over the past eighteen months to the Association and the industry through his volunteer involvement, participation in educational events, member recruitment initiatives and other related activities.

"HIGPA strives to provide its members with outstanding service and commitment to the entire health care purchasing industry supply chain. The HIGPA Achievement Award is designed as a showcase vehicle to publicly acknowledge the untiring support of member individuals who continuously provide their time and invaluable insight to HIGPA’s ongoing endeavors," said Robert Betz, Ph.D., HIGPA President and CEO. "It is a pleasure to award Ed with this honor. When circumstances required sacrifice, he stepped forward immediately to provide leadership. Ed’s experience as both a past member of a group purchasing organization and his current tenure with a trading partner has enabled him to offer broad range of insight into our industry as he presents to other organizations."

Over the past year and a half, Mr. Gravell has served on the HIGPA Board of Directors and attended the Association’s Strategic Planning Session. He has spoken on behalf of HIGPA in many different forums, participated in EXPO as a Steering Committee member, speaker and attendee, and participated on the HIGPA Bylaws Committee. In the past, Mr. Gravell has served as chair of a standing committee of the Board and as a HIGPA officer. He has participated as a speaker at other "sister association" events to help promote the procurement and supply chain industry.

"It is an honor, as well as a surprise, to be recognized by my peers and a privilege to represent HIGPA and the industry for the past nine years. It has been both personally and professionally gratifying as I have grown in the health care industry, as well as in building relationships with numerous individuals. I would like to thank HIGPA, the Association’s Board, the procurement and supply chain industry, Cardinal Health and my colleagues for supporting me," said Gravell. "I encourage everyone to get involved because the strength of HIGPA is founded in volunteerism and the ability for individuals to make a difference."

Ed Gravell along with Derwood B. Dunbar, Jr., president and CEO of MAGNET, Allen Dunehew, vice president of pharmacy, Amerinet-St. Louis and Jack Hannenmann vice president of national accounts, Medline Industries were nominated as 2004 HIGPA Achievement Award finalists.

The 2004 HIGPA Achievement Award has three physical components, including two keepsakes. First, a unique crystal obelisk was presented to Mr. Gravell. This Achievement Award obelisk is the ‘traveling’ award that will remain with the Mr. Gravell for display purposes until the 2005 International EXPO with his name engraved on the wooden base. Second, a special 2004 HIGPA Achievement Award 10 karat lapel pin was presented to Mr. Gravell. Finally, a professionally framed photograph of Mr. Gravell receiving the actual award will be forwarded after the EXPO.

In addition, a donation will be made in the memory of Mr. Gravell’s sister for her dedicated work to the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County, California by HIGPA on behalf of him to further acknowledge his time ‘donated’ to HIGPA and the industry.

Mr. Gravell will serve as the first member of an elite group of health care executives. Additionally, Mr. Gravell is invited to be a member of the 2005 Awards Working Group to assist HIGPA in further defining the Achievement Award program. Additionally, he will present the 2005 HIGPA Achievement Award at the 2005 International EXPO in Palm Desert, California and will receive a complimentary registration, two night’s hotel accommodations and roundtrip coach air for the 2005 International EXPO.

This year marks the first HIGPA Achievement Award program. Calls for nominations were issued to the HIGPA membership from May 25, 2004 through August 15, 2004. Based on the awards criteria and nominee’s volunteer efforts, four finalists were selected by the Awards Working Group—comprised of individuals from trading partners and group purchasing organizations to supply chain consultants and the media. Please look for an announcement of the 2005 HIGPA Achievement Awards program early next year.

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of over 160 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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