Merck names head of strategic communications

Merck has named Dr Julie Gerberding as executive vice president for strategic communications, global public policy and population health.

In the newly created position within the executive committee, Gerberding will be responsible for Merck's global public policy, corporate responsibility and communications functions, as well as the Merck Foundation and the Merck for Mothers programme.

She will also lead new partnership initiatives to aid the firm's ability to contribute to improving population health.

Commenting on her appointment, Gerbeding said: “Whether containing the current Ebola outbreak, increasing vaccination rates or improving the overall health of people in communities, partnerships between public and private sector organisations are essential.

“Merck has a unique role and a responsibility to contribute and I welcome this opportunity to lead teams of experts who will help us achieve our mission of saving lives and improving health around the world.”

Gerberding joined Merck as president of Merck Vaccines in January 2010. Prior to this role, she served as director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2002 and was director of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion before that.

Kenneth Frazier, chairman and CEO of Merck, said: “Julie's leadership of our vaccines business and her exceptional track record in both the public and private sectors make her ideally suited to lead these areas and to advance our engagement with organisations around the world that, like Merck, are working to advance population health.”