Penny Mitchell, a veteran of FleishmanHillard and dna communications, has been charged to lead US healthcare at Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

Penny MitchellPenny Mitchell

She starts today in New York as an executive VP under US president and CEO Beth Balsam, a former FH colleague. “When Penny and I worked together at Fleishman-Hillard, she was one of the most liked and respected people in the firm, and had an impressive track record of counseling brands and institutions and helping them build visibility,” said Balsam.

Mitchell takes the reins after healthcare lead Tali Mackay was named head of H+K's Western region last July.

Mitchell spent 18 years at FH and its TogoRun healthcare operations, serving as senior partner co co-chair of FH's healthcare practice.

She spent the last two years directing new business at dna and ran her own shop after exiting TogoRun and the FH umbrella in 2013.