OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov 05, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- EPI-Q, Inc., a consulting firm providing outcomes research and health economics services to the global biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries, announces the addition of Anthony J. Vita, MD, MPH and Peter Herout, PharmD to their team of clinical professionals. The specialized background of these two practitioners will augment the capabilities EPI-Q is able to offer directly to those clients seeking to enhance the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of patient care.

Both Dr. Herout and Dr. Vita will be responsible for providing clinical support and managing projects within their fields of clinical expertise. "Peter has significant expertise in critical care and cardiology adding to our ability to provide services to hospitals and managed care in both of these important areas. Anthony has clinical skills in mental health, a therapeutic category in which EPI-Q's business is rapidly expanding and his public health training provides additional depth to our methods group," stated EPI-Q President, Mark Jewell.

Dr. Herout has over 8 years experience as a clinical pharmacist. He has spent the majority of his professional career caring for a variety of critically ill patient populations. His most recent practice and research interests have included severe trauma, cardiothoracic surgery, sepsis, glycemic control, infectious diseases, renal replacement therapy, and nutrition support. Before joining EPI-Q, Dr. Herout spent 4 years with Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. His contributions to the medical literature have included articles published in Critical Care Medicine and the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. He received his PharmD degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed one-year ASHP-accredited residencies in Pharmacy Practice and Critical Care.

Prior to joining EPI-Q, Dr. Vita worked as a resident physician at the University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry for 3 years. He has also practiced in a variety of hospital settings including ICU, CCU, general medicine, general pediatrics, pediatric ICU, obstetrics, and neurology. Among the journals publishing Dr. Vita's works are The New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and The American Journal of Physiology. Dr. Vita received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Stanford University and Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University.

EPI-Q, Inc. (www.epi-q.com) provides life sciences companies and healthcare providers and payer organizations with evidence-based solutions that elucidate the value of medical technology and improve health outcomes and cost-effectiveness. EPI-Q's professionals have extensive expertise in medicine, pharmacy, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, business and healthcare administration. In addition, many of these experts maintain academic affiliations, publish and present frequently on issues pertaining to quality improvement and outcomes management.

Contacts:
Mark Jewell, PhD
President
EPI-Q, Inc.
Tel: 630.570.5505
Fax: 630.570.5506
Email: mark.jewell@epi-q.com

Andrew M. Baker
Vice President—Business Development
EPI-Q, Inc.
Tel: 914.358.3264
Fax: 914.358.3265
Email: drew.baker@epi-q.com