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After a rocky rollout of the Affordable Care Act, then facing intense criticism about it, and despite enrolling more than seven million on state and government healthcare exchanges, Kathleen Sebelius commented that she “felt confident in the trajectory for enrollment and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and that she believed that once open enrollment ended it would be the right time to transition the department to new leadership.”

Sebelius has served as HHS Secretary since 2009. To replace Sebelius, President Obama nominated Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the current Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Obama described Burwell as “a proven manager” as she is known for her strong management skills and experience in issues of poverty and global health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Burwell’s nomination to lead this post requires Senate confirmation.

Avid Writer and Strategist Becomes President

Josh Prince succeeded Carol DiSanto as President of The CDM Group. Working with the company since 1986, Prince has helped shape the culture, creative output and direction of The CDM Group. During his career, he’s led moving, award-winning communications for some of the most successful brands and companies in healthcare, including Pfizer, Amgen, Novo Nordisk, and Genentech.

Prince led the DTC launch of Viagra and played a leading role in shaping PhRMA’s Partnership for Prescription Assistance, an industry-wide initiative that fights for access to medicines for those in need, despite cost. Prince has been successfully helping clients and their brands achieve strategic clarity, cultural relevance and commercial success.

BlueMomentum

The healthcare communications agency, and Ashfield Healthcare Company, hired Vicki Kelemen as Vice President, Collaboration Specialist. She will also be responsible for leading the company’s business development on the West Coast. Kelemen has more than 20 years experience in the healthcare industry.

Calithera Biosciences

A clinical-stage cancer therapeutics-focused biotech company has appointed William D. Waddill as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Waddill will oversee all corporate financial matters and provide input on corporate strategy.

Kite Pharma

Announced the hire of Arie Belldegrun, MD, FACS, as President and CEO. Prior to founding Kite Pharma, Belldegrun founded a number of biotech companies and served as a member of the Board of Directors for companies including Cougar Biotechnology and Agensys. He also sits on the Board of Arno Therapeutics, Teva, SonaCare Medical and TheraCoat. He is a Professor of Urology in addition to holding a few other positions at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Halozyme Therapeutics

Appointed Sunil Joshi as Vice President and Global Product Team Lead (GPTL) for PEGPH20 and Oncology. Joshi brings 20 years of expertise in oncology drug development and commercialization.

He most recently served as Head of New Product Strategy and Commercial Assessment at Onyx Pharmaceuticals where he co-led the activities to identify, value and acquire new oncology assets for Onyx.

Merck Millipore

A life sciences division of Merck KGaA appointed Udit Batra, PhD, as President and CEO. He brings more than 13 years experience in pharma, holding leadership positions at McKinsey, J&J and Novartis. Prior to this role, Batra managed the Consumer Division at Merck. He joined Merck from Novartis where he was Head of Global Public Health and Market Access.

NeuroSigma

The California-based life sciences company promoted Carl Adams to Chief Financial Officer and hired Craig Rostamian as Vice President of Finance, overseeing financial planning and analysis. Both Adams and Rostamian bring 40 years of combined experience in accounting and corporate finance to NeuroSigma. Both have served at Ernst & Young, and later, Amgen, where Adams was Senior Manager, Associate Director and Director for SEC Reporting and Corporate Accounting. Rostamian served as Associate Director, Finance, in the Partnership and Acquisition Group.

New Haven Pharmaceuticals

Hired Larry Dillaha, MD, to the newly created position of Executive Vice President Operations. Dillaha joins New Haven from Insys Therapeutics where he served as Chief Medical Officer since April 2010. In his new role, he will focus on clinical, medical and product development and is expected to contribute broadly to the company’s growth and development.

Parexel

Hired Roland Andersson, PhD, and Thomas Senderovitz, MD, as Senior Vice Presidents in the Clinical Research Services strategic business unit. Andersson will be responsible for managing the Company’s Phase II-III client relationships on a global basis, and Senderovitz will have management responsibility for the Early Phase and Clinical Logistics business units and the Global Medical Services function.

PDI

A provider of healthcare product commercialization and integrated marketing services added Greg Richard as General Manager for its Interpace Diagnostics subsidiary. Richard has more than 20 years experience working for life science companies in sales, marketing and managed care.

Sanofi

Hired Paul Sekhri as Senior Vice President, Integrated Care. In his position, Sekhri will oversee the creation of innovative solutions and business models to meet patient needs. Anne C. Beal, MD, MPH, was appointed as Chief Patient Officer, a newly created position. Beal will help to evaluate the perspective of the patient so Sanofi can better incorporate patients’ needs and priorities.

StoneArch

Announced recent staff promotions. Katie Uphus has been promoted to Director of Operations. Sue Katula has been promoted to Content Director, a new position that integrates brand positioning, core creative, content development and cross-platform marketing.

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