Grapentine joins WHA as VP of communications

The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) announced today that Mark Grapentine, J.D., will be joining 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 advocacy
focused 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 Sept. 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.