CARLSBAD, Calif.--Former DMERC Region D Medical Director Dr. Robert Hoover takes on a new role today as senior vice president of global clinical services with Sunrise Medical. He will report directly to Sunrise Chairman and CEO Michael Hammes.

According to a press release from the company, Hoover "will utilize his extensive experience, knowledge and relationships with medical professionals to help further establish Sunrise Medical as a true partner within the health care community."

"This gives me the opportunity to do something I like to do--research and education," said Hoover, who has spent the last seven years at CIGNA. With a medical degree from the University of South Alabama, Hoover remains on the faculty as an assistant clinical professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he did his residency, specializing in internal medicine. He also holds a Master's Degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Over his years at the DMERC, explained Hoover, "one of the things I've noticed is the amount of clinical literature [that is needed] to support why we do what we do. There are so many gaps. It is a difficult decision to decide what should be covered or not." Hoover said he views his new job as a "unique opportunity" to help develop products "that meet the clinical needs of patients based upon sound scientific research and outcomes measures.

"I'm going to work with Sunrise and the industry to raise the bar as far as clinical outcomes, and have payers view this industry as health care partners," he concluded.

Sunrise Medical products are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia and are distributed in more than 100 countries.

Dr. Donald Norris, Part B director for Idaho, will serve as interim medical director for Region D.