Meeting Professionals International has purchased the Healthcare Meetings Compliance Certificate program from the International Medical Meetings Professionals Association, effective immediately. As part of the acquisition, IMMPA founder Pat Schaumann will become MPI’s director of professional development, health-care sector. She will continue to promote the HMMC designation and serve as a subject-matter expert for the organization. As of June 1, IMMPA will cease to exist as an association. Current IMMPA members will receive a complimentary membership in MPI through Dec. 30, and the IMMPA board of directors will transition to an MPI Advisory Council. “We are working with [MPI] to design a seamless transition plan,” wrote Schaumann in a message to IMMPA members. “This council will continue to seek your input on educational needs and ensure you are well served through the MPI membership experience.” According to Schaumann, the acquisition is merely MPI’s first step in enhancing its support for planners in the health-care industry. The organization intends to offer 15-20 HMCC sessions annually and launch several new health-care sessions during August’s World Education Congress in Minneapolis, among other focused initiatives.