LEAWOOD, Kan. – The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is pleased to announce that Donna Valponi will join the AAFP as vice president of marketing, membership and meetings effective May 2, 2005.
Valponi brings to the AAFP more than 20 years of experience in marketing, which include management and executive positions at Union Station Kansas City and Hallmark Cards, Inc.
“I am thrilled to join an organization that strives to improve today’s health care system through a commitment to patient-centered care,” said Valponi. “I feel my skills and experience, coupled with my enthusiasm, will allow me to make great contributions to the AAFP.”
At the AAFP, Valponi will have overall supervision of four divisions: marketing, membership, meetings and conventions and convention management, and a staff of approximately 70. In her new role, she will develop, lead and champion the transition to a centralized marketing function for the AAFP, and have strategic oversight of the AAFP’s membership development and meetings and convention activities. In addition, Valponi will serve as a key member of the Academy’s senior management team and be involved with formulating strategies and policies for the AAFP.
“Donna will be a tremendous asset to the AAFP,” said Douglas Henley, M.D., AAFP's executive vice president. “She has a proven track record and extensive knowledge of the marketing and membership fields that will serve the AAFP and our members well.”
Prior to joining the AAFP, Valponi was vice president of marketing at Union Station Kansas City, leading a staff of 50 and directing the activities of the marketing and membership programs. Valponi’s responsibilities at Union Station included brand management, communications, public relations, advertising and promotions.
Valponi held a variety of positions during her tenure at Hallmark Cards, Inc., which most recently included vice president of supplier development at ebizmix.com, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Kansas City-based greeting card company. Her responsibilities included sales management, marketing and new business development.
Valponi is involved in a number of community activities in the greater Kansas City area, including serving on the board of directors for both the University Physicians Association and for the Greater Kansas City Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She also serves on the Community Advisory Council for The Cancer Institute Center for Breast Care at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Valponi received a master’s in business administration from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo.
American Academy of Family Physicians Hires Donna Valponi as Vice President of Marketing, Membership and Meetings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 02, 2005
Contact:
Janelle Davis
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237 Ext. 5222
jdavis@aafp.org
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
