President of Pfizer Vaccines, Mark Swindell, Named as the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association's 2010 Honorable Mentor

-Founder and Managing Partner of Advertising Agency Flashpoint Medica, Charlene Prounis, Named HBA's 2010 Star Volunteer-

FAIRFIELD, N.J. Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) today announced that it has named Mark Swindell, President, Pfizer Vaccines, as its 2010 Honorable Mentor. He will be formally recognized at the 21st annual "Woman of the Year" (WOTY) Luncheon on Thursday, May 6, 2010 – the premier event of the year for the healthcare community attended by over 2,000 industry leaders.

"I have been fortunate to have benefitted from the guidance and counsel of several mentors in my career, and have always strived to foster the professional growth and development of others so each individual can realize their full potential," said Mr. Swindell. "I am grateful to be named the Honorable Mentor this year by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, and am quite proud to continue a long association with this esteemed industry organization that nurtures women to become strong leaders."

The HBA created the Honorable Mentor award 10 years ago to recognize one individual each year who demonstrates long-term support of the advancement of women in the healthcare industry, has a personal dedication to developing, mentoring and promoting women in the industry, and who has been supportive of the HBA.

"The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association is pleased to recognize Mark Swindell as our 2010 HBA Honorable Mentor because of his deep personal commitment to the advancement of women in the healthcare industry," said Susan Torroella, President of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association and COO of MEDEX Global Group. "We are grateful for all of his contributions to the organization, particularly his support of the HBA Greater Philadelphia chapter and to the many women he has mentored and inspired."

A seasoned pharmaceutical executive with more than 25 years experience, Mr. Swindell has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility during his career at Wyeth – now part of Pfizer. Prior to his appointment as President, Pfizer Vaccines, he held the position of Senior Vice President and General Manager for Wyeth's Pharmaceutical Business Unit. In this role, Mr. Swindell had responsibility for leading commercial strategy globally and commercial execution in the United States for both in-line brands and development brands.  In 2005, Mr. Swindell was named Vice President, Commercial Operations, for Wyeth's European Regional Office.  Prior to that, Mr. Swindell held a variety of Management, Sales, and Marketing positions in the United Kingdom and United States.

Educated in the UK, Mr. Swindell is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds an MBA from City University in London.

"Mark is a dedicated business leader with tremendous character who has regularly mentored and championed emerging leaders with whom he works," said Lee Ann Kimak, Global Commercial Lead of a key vaccine development program at Pfizer. "It amazes me to see how freely he gives of his time to so many within and outside his immediate organization. Mark also has a very collaborative and approachable style that inspires the best in his people and serves as a compelling example of true and effective leadership. As a mentor of mine, Mark will offer his advice but expects you to make your own decisions, asks probing questions to really understand your goals and issues and assists you in creating strategies and objectives for success."

Star Volunteer

Each year, the HBA also honors a star volunteer who stands apart as a truly exemplary role model for others, and who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to furthering the HBA's goals. Charlene Prounis, who has served as president on both the corporate and chapter level, has been named the 2010 Star Volunteer. Ms. Prounis has been extremely active with the HBA for more than a dozen years. Among her many accomplishments, she initiated the Leadership Conference, POWER Study and Rising Stars during her first presidency, started the Metro Chapter of the organization in 2004, served on the HBA board for a 10 year period, co-chaired the Woman of the Year fundraising committee for the last three years which broke all records, serves as a chapter mentor and remains involved in promotional material development for the ACE program and the Metro chapter.

Ms. Prounis is a two-time entrepreneur, having started her second advertising agency, Flashpoint Medica, in 2005 which won the prestigious "Agency of the Year" award in 2008. Previously, she had founded Accel Healthcare with other partners, grew it to a top 20 agency and then merged it into Corbett Accel in 2004. Prior to her entrepreneurial run, Ms. Prounis honed her advertising skills as a senior executive Grey Healthcare Group for a decade. Earlier in her career, Ms. Prounis was a professional sales representative for Searle Laboratories, where she was a member of the President's Club, and began her career as a nurse and moved up to become head of the MICU at North Shore University Hospital. She holds a bachelor's degree from Adelphi University and an MBA from St. John's University.  

"The HBA's success as an organization is a direct result of the efforts and contribution of our volunteers, women who are leading busy, successful lives and who want to provide a forum to develop future female leaders in healthcare," said Ms. Torroella. "Charlene has a 'make it happen' approach that is an incredible inspiration to everyone in the HBA and has been instrumental in shaping the organization into what it is today."

About The HBA

The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA; www.hbanet.org) is in its fourth decade as a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to furthering the advancement of women in healthcare worldwide.  With 14 chapters and affiliates throughout the U.S. and in Europe, the HBA is headquartered in New Jersey with offices in Philadelphia and Research Triangle Park.  The HBA provides educational opportunities for women and men to develop cutting-edge healthcare industry knowledge and leadership skills; recognizes outstanding women and men in the industry; provides opportunities for networking; creates greater visibility for women in the industry; fosters mentoring relationships and serves as a conduit and sponsor for research on career advancement issues.  HBA has over 5,000 individual members and over 120 Corporate Partners.  It is widely recognized as the catalyst for leadership development of women in healthcare worldwide. For more information, visit www.hbanet.org.

Photos of Mark Swindell and Charlene Prounis are available upon request.

SOURCE Healthcare Businesswomen's Association