OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- EPI-Q, a leading healthcare management consulting firm, announces today the opening of their East coast office and a key appointment. EPI-Q, Inc. specializes in assisting life sciences firms and healthcare providers enhance both the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of patient care.

Andrew Baker joins EPI-Q as Vice President-Business Development, based in Harrison, NY.

Mr. Baker will have responsibility for global business development and marketing. Mr. Baker has over 20 years' experience operating in and consulting to the global biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries. He has led initiatives in the areas of commercial opportunity assessment, product development, lifecycle management, strategic planning, and global pricing and reimbursement.

Prior to joining EPI-Q, Mr. Baker spent 14 years with Pfizer and was a founding member of the company's Outcomes Research function. While at Pfizer, Mr. Baker led the development of the Practical Outcomes Researcher(R) online quality improvement program to assist healthcare organizations conduct quality measurement and improvement initiatives within major therapeutic areas. The program won the American College of Medical Quality's Institutional Achievement Award. He also was with Merck's public policy group and pioneered the establishment of Arthur D. Little's health economics consulting practice.

Mark Jewell, Ph.D., President of EPI-Q, commented, "Drew's experience and success in the global pharmaceutical industry will enhance EPI-Q's capabilities and broaden our service offerings both to our life sciences industry clients and our healthcare provider and payer clients. The opening of our East coast office will improve our ability to serve our growing client base in this area. Furthermore, Drew's insight and expertise will contribute to forming and executing our strategic goal to grow the business both in the US and major global markets."

Mr. Baker holds an MBA from Duke University, a Master of Public Affairs degree from Princeton University, and a BA in economic policy and BS in communications from Syracuse University. Mr. Baker also completed graduate coursework in medical technology evaluation and clinical decision analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health.

About EPI-Q, Inc.
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