Fairfax, Va. -- The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology announces the addition of two new staff to its growing Health Policy Department.

Marsha Kaufman comes to ASTRO as the new Assistant Director of Health Policy. Ms. Kaufman most recently worked for WellPoint as an Account Executive for their consumer directed health plans. Prior to that, she worked for the National Committee for Quality Assurance dealing with accreditation and evaluation in the healthcare arena. Ms. Kaufman also has experience working in the operations side of behavioral healthcare organizations. In her duties at ASTRO, Ms. Kaufman will act as the staff liaison to the Regulatory Committee and will also be working on CPT activities with the American Medical Association. Ms. Kaufman holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

Jesleen Papneja joins ASTRO as its Health Policy Analyst. Ms. Papneja recently earned her Master's degree in Health Systems Management, with a concentration in Health Information Systems, from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Ms. Papneja recently completed an internship at VitalSpring Technologies, where she was responsible for in-depth cost and use analyses of benefits and financial payment data. She also holds a Doctoral degree in Dental Surgery from a university in India.

"Marsha and Jesleen both have well-defined, accomplished backgrounds in healthcare policy that will most definitely benefit ASTRO's membership," said Laura I. Thevenot, ASTRO's Chief Executive Officer. "With their expertise, we can continue our work making certain that insurance companies and other payors have all the information necessary to ensure cancer patients have access to the life-saving radiation therapy treatments they need."

ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,600 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment.

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The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Inc., 8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive . Suite 500 . Fairfax . VA . 22031, phone 703-502-1550 . fax 703-502-7852 . web www.astro.org

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