Russell J. Ricci, M. D. Joins HealthSTAR Communications as Chief Medical and Strategy Officer
HealthSTAR Communications announced the addition of Russell J. Ricci, M. D. (Dr. Russ Ricci) to its executive management team as Chief Medical and Strategy Officer.
(PRWEB) August 9, 2003
Woodbridge, NJ (PRWEB) August 8, 2003 – HealthSTAR Communications announced the addition of Russell J. Ricci, M. D. (Dr. Russ Ricci) to its executive management team as Chief Medical and Strategy Officer.
“We are truly privileged to have Dr. Ricci join our team,” said Jerry Brager, CEO. “His proven track record in using technology and communications programs with physicians and patients to improve healthcare quality will enhance HealthSTAR’s offerings to our clients.”
Dr. Ricci has a long-standing relationship with Mr. Brager and Frederick Frank, a HealthSTAR Board member. He served on the Board of Directors of Physicians Computer Network (PCN), a company founded by Mr. Brager, with both gentlemen prior to the company being acquired by Medical Manager and WebMD.
Dr. Ricci was most recently the general manager of IBMÂ’s Healthcare Industry, a multi-billion dollar global industry, where he provided leadership to a diverse IBM team that offers information technology solutions to payors, providers and pharmaceutical companies. In addition, Dr. Ricci was responsible for the marketing and strategy for IBMÂ’s healthcare industry.
“I am pleased and excited to be part of the HealthSTAR team. As more real-time and accurate healthcare information becomes available, HealthSTAR with its broad set of marketing and communications services is perfectly positioned to empower consumers and physicians and to help improve healthcare delivery nationwide. Individuals can learn more about staying healthy and can get the information they need to make informed choices. Physicians benefit because HealthSTAR’s unique programs make it easier to keep up with the ever-changing world of medicine,” said Dr. Ricci.
Dr. Ricci is also the chair of the eHealth Initiative, a membership organization, comprised of more than 100 leading healthcare organizations, that was created to provide a unified voice for the healthcare industry on eHealth and technology-related issues.
Prior to joining IBM in 1996, Dr. Ricci was president of the New Health Ventures at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts where he led corporate venture capital and new technology initiatives. While at New Health Ventures, he was responsible for the successful development and deployment of several award-winning technologies, including: HealthNavigator, Account Link, and HealthWire.
Dr. Ricci also has extensive experience in working with emerging technology companies and with Voluntary Hospitals of America (VHA), where he provided leadership to several of the VHAÂ’s ambulatory services companies in psychiatry, home healthcare, mobile diagnostics, and physician services. Prior to his tenure at VHA, Dr. Ricci held a number of executive and clinical positions with other organizations.
Dr. Ricci received his medical training in child psychiatry at Harvard University and is a former associate chairman and assistant clinical professor at Boston University School of Medicine.
About HealthSTAR Communications
HealthSTAR Communications is one of the largest healthcare marketing services networks in the industry. Its sixteen integrated and complementary divisions provide a comprehensive portfolio of traditional and unique services. The HealthSTAR companies have worked with over 95 different pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturers representing over 207 brands.
HealthSTARÂ’s mission is to significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare communications. HealthSTAR offers a full range of marketing services to reach and communicate with all of the stakeholders in healthcare: providers, consumers, purchasers and managers.
The company is privately held and is based in Woodbridge, NJ. Learn more about HealthSTAR Communications at www. healthstarCOM. com.
