PALO ALTO, Calif., July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR), the world's leading manufacturer of radiotherapy and radiosurgical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions, today announced the appointment of Andrew Whitman to the newly-created position of vice-president, government affairs in Washington, DC. Whitman, 39, who previously was vice president of and headed the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), is joining Varian to develop and implement the company's global government affairs and public policy strategies.
"Varian is committed to adding its voice to public policy discussions involving the future of healthcare, particularly the fight against cancer, as well as improved security at ports and borders and this has necessitated the creation of this new government affairs position," said John Kuo, vice president and general counsel for Varian. "We are confident that Andrew will be extremely effective at representing our interests in the U.S. and abroad."
"I am very excited about the creation of this new position at Varian and to have a bigger role in the common cause of beating cancer," said Whitman. "In addition to representing the company, I expect to be a strong advocate for medical clinicians and cancer patients around the world."
In his previous role at MITA, Whitman devised strategic government relations plans that resulted in several legislative and regulatory victories for the industries he represented. He also created and oversaw international advocacy organizations in the European Union, Latin America, and China on behalf of member companies. In prior senior level positions in Washington, DC, Whitman formed healthcare coalitions and represented the groups before Congress, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Whitman received a law degree from American University, Washington, DC in 1994, and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Hamilton College, New York in 1991. He will assume his new position at Varian on July 31, 2008.
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial inspection. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 4,800 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America and Europe and in its 60 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com/.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: John Worlton. 650-424-6438 john.worlton@varian.com
SOURCE: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
CONTACT: John Worlton of Varian Medical Systems, Inc., +1-650-424-6438,
john.worlton@varian.com
Web site: http://www.varian.com/