WASHINGTON, D.C., March 28, 2023 – James (Jim) Potter has been named the new Executive Director for the Coalition of Healthcare Communications (CHC), following the retirement of Jon Bigelow, and its acquisition by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) in 2022. The acquisition was made to enable the CHC to expand their capabilities for members and reach into a broad spectrum of issues impacting healthcare communications.
Jim brings extensive experience in healthcare advocacy within Washington, D.C., and at the state level having served as the CEO of the New Hampshire Medical Society for the last eight years, with previous roles in executive management and senior advocacy positions with national healthcare organizations.
Potter was awarded the FDA Commissioner’s Special Citation and the Vice President’s Hammer Award for coordinating a consensus approach on federal quality and coverage guidelines for mammography. His advocacy work has been recognized by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) with its highest honor – The Summit Award – in leading the fundamental transformation of early detection and intervention for children with hearing loss.
“We are thrilled to have Jim lead the CHC and join the 4A’s team to evolve our advocacy approach. He is an incredibly successful advocate and leader with a track record of helping shape Congressional, FDA and FTC policy. His considerable Washington, D.C., experience coupled with a demonstrated ability to build successful coalitions makes Jim the right leader for this role,” said Jay Carter, Board Chair, CHC.
“Jim’s considerable experience in the healthcare advocacy space will be an incredible asset to the CHC and the 4A’s. Given Washington, D.C.’s increased regulatory focus on all things healthcare and wellness, particularly data privacy concerns, it’s incredibly timely to bring onboard someone like Jim who can hit the ground running,” said Alison Pepper, EVP, Government Relations and Sustainability, 4A’s.
The CHC serves its members by monitoring key regulatory and legislative proposals and industry trends, keeping members informed about important developments and their implications, and representing the healthcare communications industry on such issues as free speech rights for advertising, opposing discriminatory taxation, and ensuring responsible boundaries around data collection and usage to ensure the robust growth of the evolving health and wellness market.
The CHC is a subsidiary organization of the 4A’s, working under the leadership of Alison Pepper, EVP, Government Relations and Sustainability.
“Our members believe that responsible communications on innovative developments in medicine assure that healthcare providers and their patients will have the information necessary to use diagnostic tools, medicines and devices appropriately, effectively, and safely,” added Jim.
In an article posted by MM&M, Potter explained his mission to expand the Coalition’s membership: “CHC is committed to more proactively planning and engaging in advocacy on issues that the healthcare communications community cares about. That’s going to be our mission, that’s what I love doing and that’s what I love about this job. I’m looking forward to the challenge.” To read the full MM&M article, go to: Coalition for Healthcare Communication taps James Potter as Executive Director
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About the CHC: Founded in 1993, the Coalition for Healthcare Communications (CHC) promotes the free exchange of accurate, credible, and scientifically sound healthcare information. The CHC represents medical marketing and advertising firms, print and digital publishers, and medical communications providers. The CHC works to ensure that healthcare communicators have a seat at the table when important decisions are being made impacting the free flow of important and truthful healthcare communications.
About the 4A’s: The 4A’s was established in 1917 to promote, advance, and defend the interests of our member agencies, employees and the advertising and marketing industries overall. We empower our members to drive commerce, spark connections, and shape culture through infinite creativity. With a focus on advocacy, talent and the value of creativity and technology to drive business growth and cultural change, the organization serves 600+ member agencies across 1,200 offices, which help direct more than 85% of total U.S. advertising spend. The 4A’s includes the 4A’s Benefits division, which insures more than 160,000 employees; the government relations team, who advocate for policies to support the industry; and the 4A’s Foundation, which advocates for and connects multicultural talent to the marketing industry by fostering a culture of curiosity, creativity and craft to fuel a more equitable future for the industry.