GCI Health, a global specialty healthcare communications agency, today announced its Asia-Pacific expansion into Japan and India, two of the region’s largest healthcare markets. The growth complements GCI Health’s existing presence in Singapore and Hong Kong.

“Global market expansion is a key focus for GCI Health in 2021 as we serve international client partners and communities, and navigate an increasingly connected world,” said Kristin Cahill, Global CEO, GCI Health. “Our offer of communications, policy and medical education expertise in Asia-Pacific, combined with our expanded footprint, places us in the strongest possible position to drive outcomes across the region at a pivotal time for health communications.”

GCI Health’s Japan offering is being led by Chitose Yamada, Managing Director, GCI Health Japan. Chitose has over 20 years of healthcare communications experience and joins from Weber Shandwick, where she was Executive Vice President, Client Experience, Healthcare. She has also held leadership positions at Edelman and InVentiv Medical Communications.

The agency expands into India via Genesis BCW’s Pharma, Health & Wellness practice, forming GCI Health India. The transition will offer existing and new clients in India continued access to the local team’s celebrated strategic integrated and creative heritage, combined with the deep global healthcare specialist infrastructure of GCI Health.

Hemali Bhutani, currently Senior Director, Genesis BCW, takes on the newly created position of Managing Director, GCI Health India, and Naina Siwach, currently Director, Genesis BCW, assumes the role of Deputy Managing Director, GCI Health India.

“The addition of teams in Japan and India via exceptional local specialist talent significantly evolves our capacity to deliver regionally as well as locally across Asia-Pacific,” said Rikki Jones, Regional Managing Director, GCI Health Asia-Pacific. “Japan and India are critical healthcare markets which we look forward to fully servicing via our footprint expansion and the proven and exceptional leadership of Chitose, Hemali and Naina.”

GCI Health’s expansion follows a period of significant agency growth and major award recognition in the region and globally.