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

Arlington, VA (November 4, 2004) – The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association's (HIGPA) membership elected new members to the 2005 term of the Association's Board of Directors at the 2004 International EXPO in Orlando, Florida on October 18, 2004.

Six new members were voted to HIGPA's Board of Directors. Three members whose terms expire on December 31, 2004 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 for two year terms running from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2006 include Howard Sanders of H.E. Sanders Associates, Inc., Patrick Horan of Medtronic, Inc., Laura Gronowski of CHAMPS, Lynn Britton of ROI /Mercy, Bruce Hanks of Intermountain Health Care and Don Black of CHCA. Departing members of HIGPA's Board include Todd Ebert of Amerinet, Allan Fine of Navigant Consulting, and Ed Gravell of Cardinal Health.

"I would like to recognize the dedication of Todd, Allan, and Ed," Dr. Betz said. “The exceptional leadership skills of these individuals contributed tremendously to the innovation and improvement of the health care delivery system. We are grateful to them and their companies."

Following is a complete list of the 2005 Board of Directors:

Chair		Alfred J. LoBiondo		GNYHA Services
Immediate Past Chair		Mark McKenna		Novation
Chair-elect		Darrel Weatherford		Consorta
Treasurer		Rand Ballard		MedAssets Supply Chain Systems
Secretary		Derwood Dunbar, Jr.		MAGNET, Inc.
Board Member		Gerald Vicenzi		SYNERNET
Board Member		Brian Kocher		Hill-Rom
Board Member		Susan DeVore		Premier
Board Member		Wayne Thompson		Joint Purchasing Corporation
Board Member		Vicki Mizel		Council Connections
Board Member		Kim Kersten		AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Board Member		Larry Lankard		BG Industries
Board Member		Patrick Horan		Medtronic, Inc.
Board Member		D. McWilliams Kessler		H.H. Kessler Foundation
Board Member		Howard Sanders		H. E. Sanders Associates
Board Member		Laura Gronowski		CHAMPS
Board Member		Lynn Britton		ROI/Mercy
Board Member		Bruce Hanks		Amerinet – Intermountain Health Care
Board Member		Don Black		CHCA
President & CEO		Robert Betz, Ph.D.		HIGPA

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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