Julia Cook has been appointed Chair of the Healthcare Communications Association.

Julia Cook, veteran of the healthcare PR industry, with over 16 years' agency experience following 13 years in the pharmaceutical industry, received the unanimous backing of the HCA Executive Committee as the new Chair. Cook was previously Managing Director of specialist consultancy Lowe Fusion Healthcare and set up in independent consultancy, as StepBack Healthcare, in 2002.

Cook takes over the role from Stuart Rose, who stepped down at the Association's AGM at BMA House last month after a year's tenure to focus on a new role at clinical diagnostics company Oxford Immunotec. He remains a member of the HCA Executive Committee.

“2005 promises to be a very challenging year for the pharmaceutical industry generally and for healthcare communications in particular, but also one that can bring exciting opportunities.  Both industry and agencies need to work in positive collaboration to ensure that both the general value, and Return on Investment, of healthcare communications is clearly demonstrated and communicated.” Cook says.

“The HCA looks forward to helping achieve this by continuing to promote the highest standards in healthcare communications and offering a wide variety of support services for its growing membership, including specifically-tailored and quality training for staff and regular news briefings.  In addition we will be leading industry-wide initiatives such as an in-depth focus on RoI in healthcare communications, as well as providing practical implementation tools for effective evaluation”.

Several other appointments were also ratified at the HCA AGM:

• Julia Harries, Director, Red Door Communications, took on Chairmanship of the Training Sub-Committee from Cherry Wood, Managing Director of Athena Medical PR who had held the post for three years
• Carys Thomas Ampofo, Director, Ash Communications Healthcare, became Chair of the Evaluation Sub-Committee. The position was previously held by Sarah Hart, Deputy Managing Director of Munro and Forster
• Angie Wiles, Joint Managing Director of Virgo HEALTH PR stood down from the Executive Committee and was replaced by fellow Joint Managing Director Sarah Matthew, who is Chair of the Membership and Marketing Sub-Committee
• Sue Adams from Schering Healthcare stood down from the Executive Committee and Helen Bray, also of Schering Healthcare, has been elected to join in her place.

Notes to Editor
The HCA's Annual General Meeting took place at BMA House on 20th January 2005 with a record turnout of members.

There are currently 43 members of the HCA, representing the majority of blue chip pharmaceutical companies in the UK and leading healthcare communications consultancies and consultants.

For further information please contact: Julia Cook (Chair) on 01483 281321 or Sarah Matthew (Chair of the Membership and Marketing Sub-Committee) on 020 8822 6707. More details about the HCA can be viewed at www.hca-uk.org