NEW YORK—Paul McDade, a veteran of both Ruder Finn and Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, has joined Hill & Knowlton as director of its worldwide health and pharmaceutical practice. He will report to Howard Paster, chairman and CEO, and is responsible for developing new products and services for healthcare clients and for the recruitment and development of senior healthcare professionals around the world. He also serves on the firm’s worldwide executive committee.

“Paul’s role is doubly critical for us,” says Paster. “First, he has an unsurpassed depth of expertise and understanding of health and pharma, a significant global industry. Second, we know that a major reason clients select H&K is for specific practice expertise, and under our matrix philosophy we are structured to respond to that need.”

Most recently, McDade was executive vice president and director of health care at Ruder Finn. Previously, he was senior vice president at Edelman Healthcare and director of public affairs for the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists.

Ruder Finn co-CEO Kathy Bloomgarden, who plays a major role in the firm’s healthcare practice, says McDade had been working on extending the firm’s healthcare capabilities beyond its New York headquarters, with a particular focus on Chicago and the west coast. With his departure, Karen Reina and Susan Smirnoff will become co-managers of the practice, working closely with Bloomgarden and veteran counselor Kan Rabin in Washington.
“We have won about $3.5 million in new healthcare business since the beginning of the year,” Bloomgarden adds.