NEW YORK—Porter Novelli has named Susan Hayes (pictured) as global director of health, effective immediately. Hayes replaces Barbara DeBuono, who recently left the agency to head ORBIS, a global health organization that works to prevent and treat blindness. In addition to her global role, Hayes will lead the healthcare practice of the agency's New York office.

Hayes has worked in the fields of HIV and infectious diseases, vaccines, kidney disease, organ transplant, women's health, oncology and strategic corporate philanthropy at agencies including her own firm, S. Hayes Consulting, as well as Cooney Waters, Ogilvy & Mather and Porter Novelli.

In her new role, Hayes will report directly to Julie Winskie, global president, clients.

Porter Novelli’s healthcare clients include Bayer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Shire Pharmaceuticals, Eisai and Pfizer.

At ORBIS, DeBuono will develop the organization’s future vision and strategy and provide leadership of programs, aircraft operations, fundraising, communications and marketing. In addition to her time at Porter Novelli, she spent over eight years as the executive director, public health and government at Pfizer and also served as chief Executive at New York Presbyterian Healthcare Network and executive vice president of the New York Presbyterian Healthcare System.