AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. Our members produce nearly 90 percent of the health care technology purchased annually in the United States and more than 50 percent purchased annually around the world. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.

The Alliance of Community Health Plans is a leadership organization that brings together innovative health plans and provider organizations that are among America's best at delivering affordable, high-quality coverage and care to their communities. Drawing on years of experience, members collaborate to share strategies and work toward solutions to some of health care's biggest challenges. Their work is the foundation for ACHP's advocacy on behalf of better health care nationally. More information is available at www.achp.org.

AAHAM is the premier association for patient accounting and administrative management professionals. AAHAM offers certification, education, networking and government relations to over 2500 members and 38 chapters. AAHAM is renowned for its certification programs; the Certified Patient Account Manager (CPAM), The Certified Clinic Account Manager (CCAM), The Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT) and The Certified Clinic Account Technician (CCAT). Visit our website at www.aaham.org or call 703/281-4043 for additional information.

Founded in 1949, the American Association of Healthcare Consultants is the professional membership society for leading healthcare consultants and consulting firms. The Mission of the AAHC is to serve as the preeminent credentialing, professional, and practice development organization for the healthcare consulting profession; to advance the knowledge, quality, and standards of practice for consulting to management in the healthcare industry; and to enhance the understanding and image of the healthcare consulting profession and Member Firms among its various publics. Visit us online at www.aahc.net.

The American Board of Medical Specialties is the preeminent medical organization overseeing physician certification in the United States. It assists its 24 Member Boards in their efforts to develop and implement educational and professional standards for the evaluation and certification of physician specialists. ABMS Member Boards provide physician certification information to ABMS for its certification verification service programs. ABMS is recognized by the key healthcare credentialing accreditation entities as a primary equivalent source of board certification data for medical specialists.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is the premier association of health information management (HIM) professionals. AHIMA's more than 61,000 members are dedicated to the effective management of personal health information required to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA's enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. www.ahima.org

The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) represents multispecialty medical groups and other organized systems of care, including some of the nation's largest, most prestigious integrated healthcare delivery systems. The members of AMGA deliver health care to 80 million patients in 43 states, including 15 million capitated lives. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for medical groups providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs, publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. Please visit www.amga.org for more information.

ACAP is a national trade association representing "safety net health plans" that are Medicaid-focused (75% of the plans' enrollees have Medicaid, Medicare or SCHIP coverage) and are non-profit or owned by non-profit entities like public hospitals or community health centers. ACAP's mission is to improve the health of vulnerable populations through the support of Medicaid-focused community affiliated health plans committed to these populations and the providers who serve them.
Visit us online at www.communityplans.net.

AMDIS, the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems, is the premier non profit physician membership organization dedicated to advance the field of applied medical informatics and improve the practice of medicine by the direct physician use of information technology. AMDIS is the home for the "connected" CMIO. Over 1200 AMDIS physician members and 100 non physician associate members participate in the many AMDIS sponsored programs throughout the year. For information visit www.amdis.org or email [email protected].

The 39 local member companies of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have provided millions of families with top-quality, affordable health insurance for more than 70 years. For the one in three Americans who carry Blue Cross and Blue Shield cards, the Blue Plans symbolize health security. Our member Plans provide the kind of health care coverage Americans will want and need in the 21st century: high quality, customer-focused, innovative, affordable.Visit us online at www.bcbs.com.

DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance convenes all stakeholders providing services along the continuum of care for population health improvement, including health and wellness promotion, disease management and care coordination. Through advocacy, research and promotion of best practices, DMAA advances population-based strategies to improve care quality and outcomes and reduce preventable costs for individuals with and at risk of chronic conditions. DMAA represents more than 200 corporate and individual stakeholders, including wellness, disease and care management organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers and benefit managers, health information technology innovators, biotechnology innovators, employers, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, and researchers and academicians. Learn more at www.dmaa.org.

The European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI) was conceived at a meeting, assisted by the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in Copenhagen in September 1976. The representatives of national Health / Medical Informatics societies from ten European countries signed a declaration of intent stating: "The Federation shall be constituted as a nonprofit organisation concerned with the theory and practice of Information Science and Technology within Health and Health Science in a European context. We declare that the ten delegates here today from the ten national societies shall constitute the preliminary Council of the Federation which thus hereby exists." Copenhagen, 11 September 1976.

Health Information Network Europe (HINE - www.hineurope.com) is a new style of market information service. HINE research services provide practical market information to the IT industry and helps shape how eHealth is dealt with in Europe.

For effective implementation of eHealth, buyers and sellers of ICT products and services require access to definitive and reliable market information on which to base critical investment decisions. HINE's mission is therefore to assist its subscribers in fostering eHealth roll-out in Europe by means of one stop access to key eHealth information (present day situation, evolutions, future needs & demands of all relevant actors) based on a yearly programme of activities.

The HINE objectives are therefore to:

• create the first comprehensive and neutral source of market information on healthcare ICT available on a consistent basis across all major European markets;
• establish a world class information service, offering subscribers unique insights into evolving European healthcare ICT market trends;
• disseminate general information on the latest market trends that will help healthcare industry leaders to improve European performance and competitiveness

Health On the Net Foundation is the leading organization promoting and guiding the deployment of useful and reliable online medical and health information, and its appropriate and efficient use. Created in 1995, HON is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. www.hon.ch

Come full circle with Healthwise® health education solutions that deliver education and report results back to the care team. For more than 35 years, Healthwise was been a leader in consumer health education for health plans, hospitals, and care management organizations. Healthwise solutions integrate within EMR and PHR applications and care management platforms to make it easy for your clinicians and health coaches to empower and engage consumers with the tools they need to make decisions and take control of their health. And now, with our latest innovation, you can track what people do with their prescribed education interventions, so you can better support them. Healthwise health information contributes to better outcomes, higher quality, and lower costs. Healthwise is a nonprofit organization that helps people make better health decisions. www.healthwise.org

The International Disease Management Alliance [IDMA] is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to facilitate the global exchange of experience in the enhancement of programs for chronic disease management and prevention. IDMA currently reaches chronic disease professionals in over 81 countries with its weekly e-newsletter and has delegates in 21 countries. Through its educational programs and resource services the IDMA supports global disease management and wellness initiative and facilitates the evolution and expansion of disease management in the United States. Its founder and Executive Director, Warren E. Todd is the past president and Executive Director of the Disease Management Association of America. More information on IDMA can be obtained at www.DMAlliance.org

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

The Leapfrog Group is an initiative driven by organizations that buy health care who are working to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans. It is a member supported effort aimed at mobilizing employer purchasing power to alert America's health industry that big leaps in health care safety, quality and customer value will be recognized and rewarded. For more information visit: www.leapfroggroup.org

Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) is the leading trade association solely focused on representing Medicaid health plans. MHPA provides advocacy, research and organized forums that support the development of policy solutions to enhance the delivery of quality health care. For more information, visit Medicaid Health Plans of America at www.mhpa.org or email at [email protected].

Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. With more than 320 affiliates nationwide, Mental Health America educates the public; fights for equality and innovation in health care research, practice and policy; and supports the 60 million people and families who are living with mental health problems.

The Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH) is one of the nation's leading coalitions of private and public employers. MBGH's 85+ members provide coverage for over 2 million lives, spending more than $2.3 billion on health care benefits on an annual basis. MBGH offers employers a variety of health benefit educational seminars, networking opportunities, quality and community initiatives, demonstration projects and group purchasing programs. Through these programs, MBGH helps employers and their employees obtain more value from their health care benefit dollars and improve the health status of the community. For more information, contact Cheryl Larson at 312-372-9090 or [email protected] and visit our website at www.mbgh.org www.mbgh.org .

The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is the nation's leading organization for healthcare quality professionals. Founded in 1976, NAHQ currently comprises more than 5,000 individual members and 100 institutional members. Its goal is to promote the continuous improvement of quality in healthcare by providing educational and development opportunities for professionals at all management levels and within all healthcare settings.

The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAM has 10 additional offices across the country. Visit the NAM's award-winning web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy. The NAM's mission is to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers by shaping a legislative and regulatory environment conducive to U.S. economic growth and to increase understanding among policymakers, the media, and the general public about the vital role of manufacturing to America's economic future and living standards.

Founded in 1977, NCPDP is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited, Standards Development Organization with over 1400 members representing virtually every sector of the pharmacy services industry. Our diverse membership provides leadership and healthcare business solutions through education and standards, created using the consensus building process. NCPDP has been named in federal legislation, including HIPAA and the MMA. NCPDP members have created standards such as the Telecommunication Standard and Batch Standard, the SCRIPT Standard for e-Prescribing, the Manufacturers Rebate Standard and more to improve communication within the pharmacy industry. Our data services include the NCPDP Provider Identification Number, a unique identifier of over 68,000 pharmacies and HCIdea, "The Prescriber Identity Solution". For more information about NCPDP Standards, Educational Programs and Work Group meetings, go online at www.ncpdp.org.

NIHCM Foundation is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of America's health care system. The Foundation conducts research, policy analysis and educational activities on a range of health care issues. It fosters dialog between the private health care industry and the public sector to find workable solutions to health system problems. Through a grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NIHCM is studying the role of the private sector in the national battle against obesity. NIHCM's current work also includes research in the areas of health information technology and maternal and child health. Detailed information about the Foundation's projects and publications is available on our newly designed web site at www.nihcm.org.

The Oregon Coalition of Health Care Purchasers (OCHCP) is a non-profit organization that brings together Oregon and SW Washington's public and private sector health care employers, unions, and association purchasers to create collaborative solutions to escalating health care costs. Presently representing about 420,000 commercially insured Oregonians, the OCHCP mission is to improve purchasers' ability to contract for high quality and cost-effective health care for their employees or members through support, education, tools, quality improvement initiatives, and advocacy.

Pacific Business Group on Health is one of the nation's top business coalitions focused on health care. Our 50 large purchaser members spend billions of dollars annually to provide health care coverage to more than 3 million employees, retirees and dependents. PBGH is a respected voice in the state and national dialogue on how to improve the quality and effectiveness of health care while moderating costs. Partnering with the state's leading health plans, provider organizations, consumer groups and other stakeholders, PBGH works on many fronts to promote value-based purchasing in health care. www.pbgh.org

Partnership for Prevention was founded in 1991 by leaders dedicated to making disease prevention and health promotion a national priority and America a healthier nation. Partnership seeks to increase understanding and use of clinical preventive services and population-based prevention to improve health.

We seek to create a "prevention culture" in America, where the prevention of disease and the promotion of health, based on the best scientific evidence, is the first priority for policy makers, decision-makers and practitioners who can make a difference in this area.

Partnership's unique blend of members and leaders helps unite diverse interests in support of strong prevention policies. Partnership's members include corporations, trade associations, non-governmental organizations, patient groups, associations of health professionals, healthcare delivery organizations, and government agencies. www.prevent.org

Physician Hospitals of America, or PHA, offers support, advocacy and educational services to the physician owned hospital industry, reflecting at all times the best interests of the patients, physicians, and other specialty providers who play an inextricable and essential role in the provision of healthcare services.
www.physicianhospitals.org/home.php.

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for-profit, multi-industry association working to stimulate the understanding, adoption, use and widespread application of smart card technology. Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations and open forums, the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S. and Latin America. For more information please visit www.smartcardalliance.org.

Z-BioMed Inc. (www.zbiomed.com) is a biotech company engaged in conducting innovative research in the areas of cancer and infectious diseases such as influenza. Z-BioMed has recently been certified by the US SBA as an 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB). Z-BioMed successfully completed a Phase I SBIR project, filed one US Patent Application entitled "EXPRESSION PROFILES FOR MICROBIAL INFECTION" (Application No. 20070015172) and published one paper (Microbes and Infections 8:2172-2185,2006). Some of the genes identified could be used as potential targets for the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools for influenza viruses.

Z-BioMed has established an excellent reputation for providing high quality products, responsive and outstanding biotechnology services to customers from government agents, research universities and pharmaceutical companies. Z-BioMed has built very strong affiliation(s) and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, universities and hospitals in China, which include Peking University, Fudan University, and several Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies. One of Z-BioMed's collaborators in China has already collected hundreds of avian flu/flu viral isolates for R& D of new avian flu/flu vaccines and anti-influenza drugs. Z-BioMed welcomes investors, strategic alliances and partnerships to co-develop products based on the patent protected technology or other projects. For more information regarding Z-BioMed's products, services and collaboration opportunities, please send e-mail to: [email protected].

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The WHCC Affordable Health Innovations Site seeks and promotes health care innovations that can reduce the cost of quality care. Visit the site to learn how the share your innovation.

Amy Wilder
Senior Marketing Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 781-939-2606