WEST SENECA, N.Y., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of Palladian Muscular Skeletal Health elected director John J. Donahue, 49, to serve as chairman of the managed-care services company, which integrates physical therapy, chiropractic, orthopedic and physical health with primary care to provide better outcomes for back pain and other muscular-skeletal disorders.

Before joining Palladian's board Mr. Donahue cofounded NIA (National Imaging Associates) in 1996 which pioneered the Radiology Benefits Management industry. A decade later, when Donahue and his team sold NIA to Magellan Health Services, he had created the country's largest radiology benefit management company, with more than 20 million covered enrollees, and partnerships in 35 states with more than 40 managed health plans.

"The current dynamics of muscular skeletal care in the United States provide tremendous opportunity to increase efficient access to more affordable, clinically appropriate and dramatically improved patient care." Donahue said. "Palladian is the right company to launch a clinically optimal, innovative solution that will redefine the muscular skeletal care paradigm."

Donahue succeeds company Palladian founder Kevin E. Cichocki, DC, 47, who was elected vice chairman of the board and will continue to serve as chief clinical officer.

"We have always worked to attract and retain strong leaders and executives to both the board and the management team," said Cichocki, who founded the company in 1994. "John's national reputation among health plans and his experience are tremendous assets to us. As chairman, John will help us become the model for the entire industry."

Paul J. Candino, 46, was also elected vice chairman and will continue to serve as president and chief

executive officer of the company.

As chairman, Donahue will work closely with Candino and his team to refine the company's managed plan offerings and bring them to market.

"Palladian's goal," explained Candino, "is nothing short of improving the quality of life for the millions of people who suffer from back and other muscular-skeletal pain. We're pleased to have John working with us to achieve that outcome."

ABOUT PALLADIAN MUSCULAR SKELETAL HEALTH

Palladian is a managed-care services company that integrates physical therapy, chiropractic and physical health and fitness with primary care to provide optimal outcomes for health-plan clients and their members. The company combines proprietary analytics and methodologies with muscular skeletal clinical expertise, offering health plans managed-care services including: customer service and claims processing, utilization and disease management, data analysis and reporting, quality management, and provider credentialing, relations and network development. By "building strength through knowledge," Palladian is dedicated to improving the coordination of muscular skeletal patient care, enhancing the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of caregivers, and ultimately improving the quality of people's lives. The company which is URAC accredited in Health Network and Health Utilization Management Standards is headquartered in West Seneca, N.Y. and currently services 15 managed health plans and their nearly 5 million covered enrollees primarily in the Southeast and Northeast United States.

    More information on Palladian may be found at
http://www.palladianhealth.com .

SOURCE Palladian Muscular Skeletal Health