Vox Medica, Inc. Announces New Path Forward

PHILADELPHIA, April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Vox Medica, Inc. announces the next phase in its evolution by naming a new leadership team. This team embraces and advances the firm's distinct, multidisciplinary approach to healthcare communications and is comprised of four equity partners:  Current CEO and equity partner Donald J. M. Phillips, PharmD; current president and new equity partner, Lorna Weir, JD; and new EVPs and new equity partners Michael Barnett, MD, D.Phil.; and Jim Moran, MBA.  Both Barnett and Moran spent several years at Dorland Global prior to establishing their own strategic consulting practice, Transit of Venus (TOV).

This quartet of distinctive but complementary voices will retain the firm's client-centric, innovative and entrepreneurial roots yet is a catalyst to help the firm  –  and its clients –  keep ahead of the ever-changing healthcare communications curve.  "This change is a specific decision in the generational transfer of the business.  In order to evolve, we had a number of strategic choices in front of us. We made the decision to remain as one of the few independent healthcare firms around.  In the end, we never really considered any other path," says Phillips.  "Following two years of steady growth and multiple product launches, we wanted to ensure that VOX will remain as an independent firm for generations to come. And, now is a great time to be independent, to control our own destiny, and to further embrace the nimble, forward-thinking attitude that made us," continued Phillips. "Each firm came together from a position of strength and stability; our paths converged at a key time, and it was a natural fit – an intersection of opportunity, experience and talent."

This cross-functional team will bring their unique perspectives from pharma, law, business, science and medicine to drive stakeholder engagement in new and innovative ways that address the complex and rapidly-changing healthcare environment.

"In today's intricate health communications landscape it is increasingly difficult to connect the dots so that clients' value propositions are aligned across all audiences.  The old world, dominated by the physician-patient relationship, has changed dramatically and we are aligning to address this new reality. This gives us increased depth in both experience and in our unique multidisciplinary expertise that mirrors influencers in healthcare delivery," said Weir.

"Over the last two years we have worked with VOX on select strategic alliances.  They have proven to be a talented team with an impressive track record of moving business and brands forward.   We anticipate that this will result in synergistic expansion of our collective core competencies and offer some amazing opportunities to further advance healthcare delivery through communication. The possibilities are enormous for the agency and our clients," said Moran.

The new leadership team will continue to offer the core services that clients value from VOX – all informed by the firm's proprietary PEER model which uses an integrated, silo-free approach to address client challenges, engage with brands and move mindsets.

Says Weir, "As we assessed different models for firm expansion, we found in both Jim and Michael an incredible meeting of minds and vision. Their independent spirit and proven record of success in driving solutions for their clients made them a strong cultural and strategic fit for VOX. Our work will continue to be driven by sound strategy and counsel to advance our principal of common diversity."

Transit of Venus will become an independent subsidiary of Vox Medica, Inc. and will focus on strategic consulting and non-promotional public health programs.

"In addition to our years of experience in healthcare communications, our work at TOV in early stage strategy, thoughtleader development, payer initiatives and analytical modeling harmonizes with VOX's PEER process and furthers our collective ability to offer our clients opportunities to impact healthcare delivery," said Barnett.

"Having a new leadership team will benefit both clients and our internal team.   By staying independent we maintain the latitude to do what is best for the team and for our clients – strategically, creatively and financially.  And clients benefit from the diverse perspectives from a senior leadership team deeply engaged in their business," said Phillips.

As former principals Eve Dryer and E. Michael D. Scott pass the baton to a new generation of leadership, they will remain involved with the firm.  Eve will remain in a consulting role and Scott will continue on staff as a senior strategist.  Cathy Pagano will continue to lead The Institute of Continuing Healthcare Education, an independent medical education firm wholly-owned by Vox Medica, Inc.

About Vox Medica, Inc.

Founded nearly 60 years ago as Ted Thomas Associates, Vox Medica, Inc. is one of the most venerable independent healthcare communications firms in the country.  The firm is resourced with a depth of experience and multidisciplinary expertise to directly align with the community of influencers important to healthcare companies and brands.   VOX builds brand recognition and visibility, customizes meaningful education and knowledge solutions, and delivers market access to clients worldwide. This is achieved through their proprietary PEER method and the firm's expertise in advertising and promotion, education and training, public relations and advocacy, and community activation. Cross-platform thinking and a media-neutral total stakeholder approach distinguishes VOX. For more information on Vox Medica, Inc. please visit www.voxmedica.com or follow us on twitter @voxmedica and like us at Vox Medica on Facebook. 

SOURCE Vox Medica, Inc.