THE VALUED VOICE

The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) announced that Mark Grapentine, J.D., will join the WHA Senior Leadership team in early September as the organization’s Vice President of Communications. Grapentine comes to WHA with more than 25 years of experience in positions involving high-level strategic communications, including the last 16 years as Senior Vice President for Government Relations at the Wisconsin Medical Society.

“Mark possesses a unique combination of deep health care policy knowledge and strong advocacyfocused communication skills, both acquired and honed over many years of engaging effectively in the Wisconsin public policy arena,” said WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding. “Mark is highly regarded in our field of health care advocacy, and his unique skills will enhance and expand what WHA can accomplish on behalf of our members across the state. We have worked with Mark for many years, and the WHA team is very excited to have him come on board.”

Grapentine is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and was a double major in Journalism and Political Science at UW-Madison. In between degrees, he was a sports reporter and anchor for WKOW-TV in Madison. Before joining the Medical Society in 2003, Grapentine spent five years working in the state Capitol: as chief of staff to former State Sen. Peggy Rosenzweig, as a policy advisor to Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, and as a legislative assistant to then-State Rep. Scott Walker.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always loved the challenge of combining public policy with strategic communications,” Grapentine said. “To have that as my core role for a premier health care policy organization like WHA is a fantastic opportunity. I’m excited to learn from and add to an all-star staff.”

Grapentine will start September 9 at WHA. He and his wife, Wendy Warren Grapentine, are long-time Madison-area residents. They have two children: son Jordan (22) and daughter Lexey (20).

Grapentine replaces current VP of Communications, Stephanie Marquis, who announced earlier this month her plans to move into a private consulting role. Marquis will be with WHA until August 30.