PEOPLE & PLACES

Michael Van Hall, President of Gezellig, Inc. and formerly President of van Hall Health Inc. and Managing Director Maritime Sector at Health Systems International, Indiana, has been elected as the first President of the new International Maritime Medical Association (IMMA). The new Association will look after the medical interests of those involved in the shipping industry worldwide and work to lobby politicians and regulators who influence this important sector of the global shipping industry. It will work alongside, and draw on the medical expertise, of the International Maritime Health Association, an existing members' association for maritime doctors and port clinics. IMMA, which is a 'not for profit organisation' , will operate out of the Baltic Exchange in London. It will not only represent the medical and health interests of the maritime sector globally, but also act as a legislative watchdog and lobby for change as and where necessary. It is the only trade association of its kind in the world. A fully-employed Secretary General has been recruited and a nine-strong board of directors bringing together expertise from the medical as well as shipowning, P&I, port agency and medical auditing spheres is being assembled.