GRAND JUNCTION, CO--(Marketwired - Aug 17, 2017) - The Strategic Health Information Exchange Collaborative (SHIEC), a national trade association representing health information exchanges (HIEs), today announced Kelly Hoover Thompson joined the organization as its new chief executive officer (CEO). This announcement follows a nationwide search for an executive capable of managing and guiding the rapidly growing organization and promoting effective health information exchange at the national level.
According to Dick Thompson, SHIEC board chair, "When people think of health information exchanges, they usually think about the technical aspects of the work. Technology is important, but it's only one piece needed to help solve a larger puzzle. Much of the work HIEs do within their local communities of trust involves addressing problems within 'people and process' domains, managing the practical realities of the technology implementations required to connect disparate systems together, advocating for the pragmatic interoperability standards needed for the future with federal, state and local legislators -- all while keeping their non-profit organizations running efficiently. Kelly understands this unique world and was tailor-made to serve as SHIEC's CEO. She has the technical, legal and operational skills necessary to convene and advocate for our HIE members' collective needs."
As SHIEC CEO, Hoover Thompson will be responsible for working collaboratively with the SHIEC board of directors to develop and actively advance an organizational strategy that ensures success of SHIEC and its members and subsequently operationalizes that strategy through the activities of the organization. She will elevate the awareness, stature, and perception of HIEs on the national healthcare landscape.
"HIEs are the vanguard of health IT implementation in the U.S.," said Hoover Thompson. "They're at the front of the pack when it's time to roll out new health data exchange technologies. As early movers, they're some of the first organizations impacted by new legislation from the federal and state governments. And they have the important role of serving as educator and collaborator with the health care organizations in their community, fostering health information exchange at the local level. I can't overstate the importance of the role SHIEC's HIE members perform in achieving nationwide interoperability. It's an honor to join the SHIEC team and to work with this vibrant community of active, engaged HIEs. I know together we will accomplish vital work in the dynamic health care continuum."
