Implantable Provider Group Expands Executive Team, Adds Tazioli as Chief Development Officer

Implantable Provider Group (IPG) is excited to announce that Robert J. Tazioli, a health care professional with almost 25 years of senior management experience, has joined the senior management team as chief development officer (CDO). Tazioli will be the Atlanta-based medical device management company's first executive to serve in that capacity (see also Implantable Provider Group IPG).

"Rob will provide an entirely new level of strategic direction for expanding and deepening IPG's partnerships with its commercial and workers' compensation payor customers," said Jay Ethridge, chief executive officer of IPG. "His experience in creating solutions in the commercial payor space blends dynamically with IPG's business model."

Tazioli has successfully co-founded, built, and sold two health care companies in the information technology and business process outsourcing space. Most recently, he led Connextions, Inc.'s explosive growth into health care business process outsourcing, enabled through innovative partnerships with UnitedHealth Group, Aetna, Kaiser and leading Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans. These partnerships have changed the sales model in the individual health insurance market.

"IPG is revolutionizing the way that commercial payors, health care providers and device manufacturers handle the complexities of implantable medical devices," added Ethridge. "We are not simply providing our partners with a service -- we are providing them with a better way to do business. Rob's industry knowledge is key to expanding these partnerships."

Tazioli has extensive health plan expertise, having served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Health Net, a leading provider of managed health care services. Prior to that, he served as managing director of the mountain region for Prudential Healthcare, where he was responsible for all the employee benefit products offered in four states that generated $500 million in annualized revenue.

Tazioli also served as vice president for Monsanto, leading the commercialization of their Virtually Integrated Health Management System (VIHMS). He has also led the business development efforts for Matria Healthcare, one of the largest comprehensive disease management providers in the country.

Tazioli graduated with distinction from Georgetown University, receiving a bachelor of science degree in finance. He and his wife, Libby, have four children. About IPG Implantable Provider Group (IPG) works with commercial payors to manage all aspects of high-cost implantable medical devices. The company's Implantable Device ManagementSM solution simplifies the complex procurement, contracting and billing associated with these devices, thereby streamlining the process and normalizing costs for all parties, while also delivering many valuable ancillary capabilities. Implantable Device Management also offers benefits for health care providers and manufacturers. IPG focuses on large, fast-growth device intensive markets, such as cardiology, neurology and orthopedic implants. In 2008, Inc. Magazine ranked IPG as the sixth-fastest growing health care company in the country and the 138th fastest-growing overall. For more information about IPG, visit www.ipgsurgical.com.