NEW YORK—Healthcare communications veteran Shellie Winkler has joined MSLGroup as North America practice director of its health and corporate practices.  She joins from Edelman where she was general manager of corporate and public affairs operations for the New York office.

MSL’s health practice has expertise in RX pharmaceuticals, personal care, medical devices, diagnostics and healthcare IT. Clients include Eli Lilly, Bayer, Trius Therapeutics and Shriners Hospitals for Children.  In the corporate realm, the firm represents United Technologies, Sealed Air, Marsh & McLennan, GM and Vivendi, among many others.

At Edelman, Winkler led the corporate communications offering and also served as the senior corporate communications counselor for health clients, working with clients such as Dannon, GE healthymagination, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and MeadWestvaco.

Before she joined Edelman, Winkler was managing director of the corporate communications practice and chief learning officer of Ogilvy Public Relations.  Previously she was executive managing director of the global health and pharmaceutical practice at Hill & Knowlton.