Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Welcomes Three New Chapters

FAIRFIELD, N.J., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) voted during its September 2004 meeting to grant chapter status to affiliates based in Indianapolis, IN, Chicago, IL and Baltimore, MD, bringing the total number of regional chapters to seven. Chapter status was granted to honor affiliates exceeding their membership and financial goals and demonstrating stability in the governance of their chapters in significantly less than the two years recommended in the current policy.

In addition, and as the HBA continues its expansion throughout the country, a new group in Southern California is working toward affiliate status with their launch program scheduled for November 11 at the world renowned Heart Valve Museum. Anita Bessler, Corporate Vice President of Global Franchise Management at Edwards Lifesciences, will be the featured speaker. The new group is being chaired by Jennifer Ringdahl, a consultant with McCormack & Farrow.

According to HBA President, Daria O. Blackwell, President, Knowledge Clinic, Inc., said: “The leadership of each of these affiliates has worked very hard to ensure their status as chapters and has provided substantive programs and events and, as dedicated volunteers, they enthusiastically have embraced the HBA ideal of advancing women in their careers in the healthcare industry.” She added that: “The importance of and need for these programs is demonstrated by the growing demand for them from women around the country who work in all areas of the healthcare industry and provide both women and men with experience required for healthy careers.”

About the HBA’s New Chapters

The new Chicago chapter, which was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Farrell, president of Unlimited Performance Training, Inc., became an affiliate in November 2003 and currently has 144 members.

The Indiana chapter also was founded as an affiliate in 2003 by Teresa Pascarelli, president & COO of DCL Medical Laboratories and has 82 members.

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter, which provides programs for HBA members from Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia, was founded in 2003 by Susan Torroello, president & CEO of Columbia MedCom Group, and now has 200 members.

The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to furthering the advancement of women in the healthcare industry. Headquartered in New Jersey with chapters and affiliates throughout the country, the HBA provides educational opportunities to develop cutting-edge industry knowledge and leadership skills; recognizes outstanding women in the industry; provides opportunities for networking; creates greater visibility for women in the industry; fosters mentoring relationships, and serves as a conduit for research on career advancement issues.

Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association

CONTACT: Kim Nelson, +1-302-504-0400, knelson@paragonrx.com, forHealthcare Businesswomen’s Association