The Access Group Grows Staff, Business Accounts

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Dec. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Access Group, a leading health care communications network, announces the hiring of 18 employees across the firm's business entities in various roles from senior management to administrative services. In addition, the Access Group announces a number of new business account wins; this growth comes, in part, as a result of the innovative work being accomplished by the firm's Government│Policy│Systems (GPS) division, which was just recognized as one of the "Most Innovative Divisions" in 2012 by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry magazine PM360.

"This is a very exciting time for the Access Group, as our model, message, and people continue to resonate with our clients and the industry," said Dave Gagliano, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have grown our client manufacturing base nearly 25% moving into 2013, and although a number of these are small additions today, they are ripe for substantial growth tomorrow. Moreover, making investments in our intellectual capital to support that growth has been very successful. The "Innovative" award from PM360 recognizes the GPS group's critical resources, which have become an integral part of our service delivery model provided to our clients today so they can succeed in this challenging environment."

New Hires Fuel Growth By the Access Group Across All of Its Business Units
The following talented individuals have joined the Access Group or one of its companies to support business practices across the firm.

The Access Group

• Diana Angione, Medical Editor
• Sandy Buck, Group Copy Supervisor
• Joy Gray, Senior Director, Human Resources
• Laurie Harrington, Creative Director
• Amy Knierim, Managing Editor
• Bindi Shah, Medical Director

Access Communications

• Anindita Banerjee, Senior Account Executive
• Andrew Jenkins, Senior Vice President, Business Development
• Sandra Jones, Account Supervisor
• Cristina Luciani, Account Executive
• Mary Lou Szekeres, Group Account Supervisor

Promidian

• Anne Koralova, Consultant

MedAccess

• Michelle Caruso, Associate Director, Copy
• Chris Gordon, Director, Interactive
• Angela Kabbes, Senior Vice President, Business Development
• Shirley Faulkner, Office Manager

Catalyst Medical Communications

• Christopher Abtahi, Vice President, Business Development
• Nathan Micheli, Account Executive

New Business Partnerships Position 2013 Growth for the Access Group
The firm continues to build its client portfolio moving into 2013 through the addition of numerous projects that were won by the firm's entities in 2012.

"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 and consulting, 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 multidiscipline service offerings from us."  He then added, "It validates our model."

In 2012, the Access Group expanded its books of business to include new account work for numerous clients; a partial list includes Anacor Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., and Daiichi Sankyo.

GPS Recognized as Innovative Division in 2012 by PM360
The firm's GPS division rapidly became a recognized and awarded contributor to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Recognition by leaders in health care communication was awarded to GPS in the December 2012 issue of PM360, as the group was distinguished as one of this year's "Most Innovative Divisions" (http://www.pm360online.com/innovators-divisions/). "In some very innovative ways, our GPS team has provided educational resources to our client partners about the drastic changes that are occurring as a result of health care reform," said Richard Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, AGSF, CMD, Chief Medical Officer of the Access Group. "Our recent recognition speaks to our unique approach and the relevance and importance of our work."

The GPS team provides clients with strategic guidance and actionable recommendations related to key trends arising from changes in government-funding and regulations, health care policy, and evolving care delivery systems. One example is a feature article by the GPS team that appeared in the November 2012 issue of PM360. "Reaching patients through their unions" reviews insights about approaches that pharmaceutical companies can take to partner with unions to relay health care information. To read the full article, visit www.pm360online.com/reaching-patients-through-their-unions/. In addition, the most recent insights from GPS on how coverage and reimbursement will drive changes in care models and delivery systems in profound ways in 2013 in preparation for the dramatic shift that will occur in 2014 is now available at www.insightintohealthcare.com.

About the Access Group
The Access Group is the leading independent strategic health care communications network composed 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 85 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 or contact Dave Gagliano, President and CEO, at (908) 508-6712.

SOURCE The Access Group