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October 17, 2006
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jennifer Kasowicz
Marketing, HIGPA
(312) 673-4970
jkasowicz@smithbucklin.com

The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA) announced today the naming of Curtis D. Rooney as President.

In his new role, Rooney will be responsible for guiding HIGPA’s organizational performance, providing strategic leadership and serving as the Association’s spokesperson on national and international healthcare issues. His primary objective is to grow HIGPA as an organization by promoting the Association’s mission, vision and values. Under Rooney’s leadership, HIGPA operations will be based in Washington, DC.

“Curtis brings to HIGPA some outstanding accomplishments and more than 15 years of government relations and association experience in the healthcare industry,” said HIGPA Chairman Al LoBiondo. “The HIGPA Board is confident that Mr. Rooney's background and qualifications are extremely well-suited to HIGPA's advocacy focus and public policy objectives. We are excited to welcome him as President.”

Prior to joining HIGPA, Rooney served as Senior Associate Director and Counsel, Federal Relations for the American Hospital Association (AHA), where he represented the interests of AHA to Congress, the Administration and various other professional or trade organizations. While with AHA, Rooney was instrumental in the development of such legislative measures as the “Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005” and the “Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001.” Earlier, Rooney also held counsel positions with the law firm Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn, the American Medical Association and the Association of Private Pension and Welfare Plans, now known as the American Benefits Council.

Rooney holds a J.D. degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from George Washington University. He currently serves on a number of healthcare-related Boards such as the Health Coalition on Liability and Access, the Center for Telemedicine and e-Health Law and the Coalition for Affordable and Reliable Healthcare.

“The group purchasing industry performs an extremely valuable role in the healthcare supply chain, helping hospitals, nursing homes and other providers realize savings and achieve greater efficiencies,” said Rooney. “I look forward to working with HIGPA member companies in my new capacity as President. Along with the Board of Directors, leadership and staff, we will advance HIGPA’s mission and vision of helping healthcare providers offer the highest-quality and most cost-effective patient-centered care possible.”

The Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA) is a broad-based trade association that represents 30 purchasing organizations (Industry Members) and over 120 of their trading partners (Affiliate Members). HIGPA's group purchasing industry members include for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, purchasing groups, associations, multi-hospital systems and health care provider alliances. Trading partner members span the range of the supply system, including all types of manufacturers, as well as distributors, wholesalers, and organizations involved with e-commerce.

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