Chembio Diagnostics expands board of directors

Chembio Diagnostics Inc.has added two new members to its board of directors.

The two, Dr. Barbara A. DeBuono and Peter Kissinger, will start July 1.

DeBuono, who has a master's in public health in addition to her physician's degree., "is a renowned expert in public health innovation, health policy, education and research," Chembio said.

Since May she has been president and chief executive of Orbis International, an organization "dedicated to saving sight and eliminating avoidable blindness worldwide." She is a former health commissioner for New York State, and held a similar position in Rhode Island. She was executive director for public health and government at Pfizer Inc. from 2000-2008.

Kissinger is "a scientist, entrepreneur and academic, with a multifaceted career in biotechnology and biomedical technologies," Chembio said. He founded and is chairman emeritus of Bioanalytical Systems Inc., which he served as chief executive from 1974-2007; and he is a former chief executive of Prosolia Inc. He is professor of chemistry at Purdue University and has published more than 230 scientific papers.

“I believe the addition of these accomplished and experienced professionals to our board strengthens Chembio," Lawrence A. Siebert, Chembio’s chief executive, said.

The company develops, makes, sells and licenses point-of-care diagnostic tests.