The Access Group Grows Staff, Business Accounts

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Access Group, a leading health care communications network, announces the hiring of 8 employees, including Bryan Horveath, Executive Vice President and Practice Lead for S3 – Strategic Selling Solutions, the firm's managed markets sales training business entity. In addition, the Access Group announces the promotions of 2 of its leadership team members: Eric N. Bishea to Managing Partner and Patricia Wolfangel to Partner.

"This remains a very exciting time for the Access Group as we continue to invest in strategic resources in growth areas and recognize professionals who have clearly differentiated themselves and our firm through their performance," says Dave Gagliano, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Bryan Horveath Joins S3 as Practice Lead
S3 is very excited that strategic sales training executive Bryan Horveath, formerly of inVentiv Health, has joined the firm to provide overall leadership and direction as S3 advances its core training business.  

"Bryan is a tremendous asset to S3," says Gagliano. "His breadth of knowledge about training needs in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and device industries will drive S3 to greater performance by enhancing client deliverables and acquiring new business accounts. Moreover, Bryan shares a common vision of truly differentiating our offerings in this space. S3 will not be just another training company, but will be focused on sales force effectiveness (ie, selling solutions) in how it advises and structures its training initiatives."

Bryan joins the firm with extensive training leadership experience and has contributed to building several highly successful and profitable training- and development-service organizations. Bryan has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, in the areas of performance improvement, training and development, managed markets, and business development on both the client and vendor sides of the business. He has been recognized throughout his career with numerous leadership, management, training, and sales achievement awards. Bryan earned his bachelor of science degree in microbiology from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, and he is currently working toward a master of science degree in performance and instructional technology from Boise State University in Idaho. Bryan is a member of the American Society for Training & Development and the International Society for Performance Improvement. He is also an active vendor partner with the Society of Pharmaceutical and Biotech Trainers.

Executive Promotions
Eric N. Bishea has been promoted to Managing Partner, with expanded responsibilities that include continued leadership of Catalyst as well as continuing to drive new business initiatives across the firm. Eric has been with the Access Group for 9 years and has been a driving force in the firm's growth, extending business partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers throughout the United States.

Patricia Wolfangel has been promoted to Partner, with responsibility for managing Fusion Medical Communications. Patricia has been with the firm for 6 years, during which time she has broadened the scope of agency of record and project work significantly in the area of diabetes management.

"Real career advancement is critical in professional services, and the recognition of such is truly a cause for celebration," said Gagliano. "Being admitted into a partnership is a significant milestone in one's career; likewise, advancing in a partnership based on one's performance is inspiring and sets a great example for us all.  With the promotions of Eric and Patricia, the Access Group continues to bolster its core leadership team and demonstrates that real career advancement exists at the firm."  

New Staff Acquisitions Round Out Talent for the Access Group and Its Business Units

The Access Group also has added a number of talented individuals to support business practices across the firm.

• Brittany Cassin, Vice President, Group Account Supervisor, Access Communications. Twelve-year veteran in health care marketing and advertising, with managed markets expertise in strategic brand positioning, push-/pull-through initiatives, and formulary access issues, including prior authorization processes, prescription rejection, and reversal dynamics
• Meko Price, Vice President, Business Development, Catalyst. Thirteen years of experience in biopharmaceutical, oncology, and device sales and sales management, with an emphasis on leadership and partnership building with large health plans, health care systems, provider networks, and employers 
• Katherine Berger, Project Manager, MedAccess
• Laura Golubieski, Senior Analyst, the Access Group
• Sarah Solis, Consultant, Promidian
• Brad Tolley, Senior Production Manager, MedAccess
• Leah Wall, Senior Account Executive, Catalyst

New Business Partnerships to Fuel 2012 Growth for the Access Group
The firm continues to build its client portfolio through the addition of numerous projects, moving into 2012 that were won by the firm's entities.

"Business development is the lifeline of the firm," said Gagliano.  "As we continue to advance the Access Group's vision of being the all-in-one partner for brand strategy, marketing, selling solutions, medical education, and professional promotion services by assisting our clients as they shepherd their brands throughout their lifecycles, it is encouraging to see our existing and new clients purchase these multi-discipline service offerings from us." He then added, "It validates our model."

The following projects and strategic services have been added to the firm's book of business:

• Andrew Technologies, LLC, corporate Web site and logo development
• Horizon Pharma, Inc., pain management managed markets support
• LEO Pharma Inc., payer communications
• Meda Pharmaceuticals (US), payer communications
• QRxPharma Inc., pain management advisory meetings and education programs
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, product launch support
• Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, women's health product promotional support

About the Access Group
The Access Group is the leading, independent strategic health care communications network comprised of 8 distinct companies: Access Alliance, Access Communications, Catalyst, Fusion Medical Communications, MedAccess, Promidian, S3 – Strategic Selling Solutions, and StrataMed. The firm employs more than 115 health care marketing specialists and senior leaders with experience in management consulting, medical education, marketing communications, managed markets, training, and brand promotion.

The Access Group is headquartered in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, with offices in New York City, Chicago, and San Diego. To learn more about our firm, please visit www.theaccessgp.com.

SOURCE The Access Group