Will is “a bridge” for The Bridge and is a contributor to the blog, and someone with whom our readers might want to become familiar. He also does the pretty graphics for the blog.

Here’s the news release announcing his hiring. (moderator)

DENVER– BridgeHealth International, Inc. (BridgeHealth; www.bridgehealthinternational.com), the premier service provider with a focus on serving businesses and individuals for the delivery of international medical care, today appointed Will Garin to the position of vice-president of marketing. Garin will help to guide the evolution of BridgeHealth products and services in the medical tourism industry, with a focus on business-to-business and direct-to-consumer initiatives.

“Will brings to BridgeHealth twelve years of experience in the strategic development, implementation, brand building and management of many successful marketing programs, including high-profile healthcare initiatives,” says Victor Lazzaro Jr., CEO of BridgeHealth. “He has the tools and expertise to help build our corporate imprint as the most innovative and quality-oriented organization in the fast-growing medical tourism industry. We will rely on his leadership to guide all online architecture, branding, optimization and marketing initiatives to meet our business goals.”

BridgeHealth International, Inc. serves health plans, insurance carriers, employers, third party administrators, and individuals accessing benefits via voluntary benefits plans, health card programs or Consumer Directed HealthCare Plans (CDHP). BridgeHealth also assists consumers seeking medical travel options.Prior to this appointment, Garin was vice-president of marketing for SmartCare Family Medical Centers, a multi-unit, consumer-driven retail healthcare organization, with executive responsibilities in strategic marketing and communication functions. Helping to lead the organization to 21 operating units, Garin’s marketing efforts increased comparable store revenue and traffic fourfold, while also developing a Guest Experience program which helped the organization achieve a 97 percent overall customer satisfaction rate. He assisted in strategic account management with host partners at Wal-Mart Stores,Inc. and Kerr Drug while prospecting and building key marketing alliances with Bayer Pharmaceuticals, incentaHEALTH and Abbott.

“Accepting the invitation to join BridgeHealth in seizing the thought and service leadership in this burgeoning field was an easychoice,” says Garin. “I’m privileged to work with such a deeply-experienced team with a clear vision for building greater access to quality, international healthcare.”

Garin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and studio art, with honors, from Wake Forest University, and holds a Masters degree in business administration from the Daniels College of Businessat the University of Denver. Garin is co-creator of Daniels Race &Case, an ethics case and downhill ski competition held annually at Daniels College of Business. He is also a co-founder of For a GoodCause, a non-profit serving non-profits.