NEW YORK, May 9—Burson-Marsteller has formed a new health systems group designed to help clients address the increasing complexity and growing issues surrounding communications for hospitals, academic medical centers, healthcare providers and managed care organizations.
 
The new unit will bring together experts in the areas of healthcare, corporate and financial communications, media, public affairs, crisis and litigation.
 
“We built this team to address head-on the growing challenges confronting the healthcare industry,” said ChetBurchett, president and CEO of Burson-Marsteller USA. “The current healthcare environment is increasingly complex. As a result, the healthcare organizations face daunting challenges that can adversely affect their reputations. These issues range from financial pressures due to reduced rates of reimbursements from third party payors and significant reductions in state and federal funding, along with labor issues stemming from a shortage of healthcare professionals.”
 
Team members include Barbara Edler, Keith Harmon, Kent Jenkins, Jerry Klepner, Susan Nathanson, Catherine Pajak, Suzanne Ross, Laura Ryan, G. Hampton Shaddock, Daniel Tarman, Betsy Turenne, Ame Wadler and Marsha Tanner Wilson.