James V. Mazzo of Abbott Medical Optics Named Chairman of AdvaMed's Board of Directors

Outgoing Chair Mike Mussallem honored for leadership, dedication to patient care

WASHINGTON, March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) today announced that Abbott Medical Optics President James V. Mazzo starts a two-year term as Chairman of the AdvaMed Board of Directors.  Mazzo succeeds Edwards Lifesciences Chairman and CEO Michael A. Mussallem who has led the organization since 2008.

Mazzo is an actively engaged leader in AdvaMed.  For the past two years he chaired AdvaMed's International Board Committee, where he worked toward streamlining the medical device approval process in Japan, clarified product approval and recall provisions in China, and expanded the Committee's work in emerging markets.  He also has chaired AdvaMed's Board Committee on the Value of Technology initiative and the Association's political action committee, AdvaMed PAC.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our industry and to represent AdvaMed and what it stands for:  ensuring patients benefit from advancements in medical technology products and services," said Mazzo.  "Our vibrant and diverse industry is fueled by entrepreneurial companies that are the engine of growth in communities across the country.  As AdvaMed chair I intend to work to implement policies that encourage innovation for the improvement of patient care everywhere."

During the next two years, Mazzo will lead the industry's efforts to:  support the FDA's review process so patients continue to have timely access to safe and effective medical technologies; ensure innovation thrives as payers and providers experiment with new health care delivery models; and support global regulatory harmonization efforts.

"I would like to thank Mike Mussallem for his leadership and guidance over the past two years, particularly through the debate on health reform," said AdvaMed President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl.  "His perseverance and passion for improving patient care are an inspiration and a reminder of why we do what we do."

During Mussallem's tenure as AdvaMed chair, he championed greater transparency within the industry, shepherding the launch of AdvaMed's revised Code of Ethics.  In addition, he inspired the Association's effort to engage the industry's more than 350,000 U.S. employees to get more involved in issue advocacy.

AdvaMed also announced new committee and board chairs for 2010-2011:

• Immediate Past Chairman & Nominating Committee – Michael A. Mussallem, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Edwards Lifesciences

• Treasurer & Finance, Audit & Compensation Committee – Michael A. Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Segment, Cardinal Health

• Secretary – Alex Gorsky, Worldwide Chairman MD&D EC, Johnson & Johnson

• Payment & Healthcare Delivery – David C. Dvorak, President and Chief Executive Officer, Zimmer

• Technology & Regulation – William A. Hawkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Medtronic

• International – Jose (Joe) Almeida, President, Medical Devices, Covidien

• Membership – Lester B. Knight, Founding Partner, RoundTable Healthcare Partners

• Legal Committee – Timothy M. Ring, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, C. R. Bard

• AdvaMed PAC – Timothy A. Pratt, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Boston Scientific

• Emerging Growth Company Council – Michael R. Minogue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, ABIOMED

• Industry Communications – Stephen P. MacMillan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Stryker

• AdvaMed Dx – Scott T. Garrett, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Beckman Coulter

• Ethics and Healthcare Compliance – Jeffrey R. Binder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Biomet

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 www.advamed.org.

SOURCE AdvaMed