TORONTO, June 1, 2011 - MEDEC - Canada's Medical Technology Companies is pleased to announce that Barbara M. Leavitt, General Manager, Baxter Corporation has been appointed Chair of the MEDEC Board of Directors.  Ms. Leavitt brings over 25 years of extensive leadership experience in the Canadian healthcare industry to the position. In her current role at Baxter, she is directly responsible for the company's commercial operations in Canada as well as strategic initiatives for the Latin America / Canada region.

Stephen Dibert, MEDEC President and CEO commented on her new role at the MEDEC Annual General Meeting held in Toronto last week, "MEDEC is very pleased to welcome Ms. Leavitt as our new Board Chair. Ms. Leavitt's years of experience in healthcare and the medical technology sector are important in this position of leadership. She is very familiar with our industry's needs and key priorities and will make a significant contribution to MEDEC and the medical technology industry in this position."

Ms. Leavitt joined Baxter Corporation in 1984 and has since held progressively more responsible commercial roles across Baxter's Canadian diversified businesses (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical technology). Appointed President of Baxter Corporation in 2002, she has successfully driven customer-focused innovative solutions across Canada, creating sustainable growth year-over-year. In 2010, she also assumed multi-regional responsibilities (Latin America & Canada) for strategic planning and implementation, business development, and sales and marketing effectiveness programs.

"I am very excited and feel privileged to be the new Chair of MEDEC. The medical technology industry in Canada has a bright future ahead and has demonstrated a good reputation for driving innovation that improves patient care.  Our industry plays a vital role by creating value in health care delivery and innovation in health care practice" said Ms. Leavitt.

In addition to her corporate role, Ms. Leavitt plays an active role in the community. She is involved at the Board level with Catalyst (Corporate Advisory Board) and the United Way of Peel Region (incoming Chair). In 2010, she served as Chair of the United Way's Peel Region campaign, contributing her business experience, strong leadership skills and commitment to build a great community for Peel residents. As Chair, she successfully led United Way's Campaign Cabinet, a team of high profile community leaders from corporate and public sectors, organized labour, and social services working together to help improve the health and vitality of the Peel community.

Two new Board members were also elected at the MEDEC Annual General Meeting held on May 26 in Toronto:  Kasra Moozar - Vice-président, Développement des affaires santé - Secteur public, Telus Health Solutions, and Kris Shah - Vice President, Baylis Medical Company Inc.

Barbara Leavitt replaces James Wilson, formerly of Biomet Canada, who was Chair of the MEDEC Board for the past two years.

About MEDEC

MEDEC (www.medec.org) is the national association representing the medical technology industry in Canada. Our members are committed to providing safe and innovative medical technologies that enhance patient care and advance patient outcomes. The medical technology industry in Canada employs over 35,000 Canadians in close to 1,500 corporate facilities, and has sales of nearly $7 billion per annum. We are committed to ensuring that Canada has a strong and vibrant medical technology industry.

For further information:
Haide Hall
Communications Specialist
(416) 620-1915 ext. 227
hhall@medec.org
www.medec.org