News & Events

March 31, 2006

eHealthConnecticut Convenes National and State Healthcare Leaders to Discuss the Creation of a Secure Health Information Exchange

Inaugural Summit Showcases Benefits of Technology for Improving Patient Care and Reducing Medical Errors

FARMINGTON, Conn. - March 23, 2006 - Over 250 health care leaders, policymakers and professionals attended the full-day Inaugural Summit of eHealthConnecticut, a new, not for profit organization established to create, champion and sustain a secure statewide health information exchange.

The Summit featured sessions on how to use health information technology, including electronic medical records in physician offices and computerized physician order entry systems in hospitals, to develop a secure and private statewide health information exchange. The exchange, according to eHealth Connecticut organizers, will dramatically improve the safety, efficiency and quality of patient care in Connecticut. Additional sessions presented state and national activities currently under way to advance the use of health information technology as a means to improve quality and patient safety.

Keynote speakers at the Summit included Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (R-CT), who was an early advocate for the establishment of eHealthConnecticut, and David Brailer, MD, PhD, President Bush’s appointed National Coordinator for Health Information. According to Congresswoman Johnson, “ Our goals are ambitious, and our challenge is real, but the benefits that result from this effort will ultimately extend to every patient who uses Connecticut’s health care system. The energy and caliber of the attendees at today’s Summit are a reflection of the resolve to make eHealthConnecticut a success.” Officially announced in January 2006 by Governor M. Jodi Rell and Congresswoman Johnson, eHealthConnecticut represents the coming together of those involved in delivering patient care -- physicians, health care providers, purchasers and payers, academia, quality organizations, government and other stakeholders -- to meet and solve the challenges of adopting and implementing health care technology in Connecticut. eHeathConnecticut demonstrates the commitment of Connecticut’s health care leaders to combine resources and forge new ground by connecting health care data systems throughout the state.

Earlier this week, eHealthConnecticut announced its Board of Directors which includes representatives from professional associations and organizations, health care provider groups and entities, health plans, consumer groups, employers and the government.

Individual eHealthConnecticut board members are:

Chairperson
Laurence Tanner, President and CEO, New Britain General Hospital
First Vice Chairperson
Angelo Carrabba, MD, President, Connecticut State Medical Society
Second Vice Chair
Andrea Gelzer, MD, Senior Vice President of Clinical Public Affairs, CIGNA
Secretary
Marcia Petrillo, CEO, Qualidigm
Treasurer
Kevin Carr, MD, Program Director, Waterbury Health Access Program

Ellen Andrews, PhD, Connecticut Health Policy Project;
Doug Arnold, CEO, Middlesex Professional Services;
David Berkowitz, PhD, Executive Director, Wheeler Clinic;
Ronald Buckman, MD, Bolton Family and Sports Medicine;
Patrick Charmel, President and CEO, Griffin Hospital;
Robert Cole, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut Health Center;
Francois de Brantes, National Coordinator, Bridges to Excellence;
Robert Fahr, State Representative, Connecticut;
Robert Galvin, MD, Commissioner of Department of Public Health, Connecticut;
Margherita Giuliano, RPh, Executive Vice President, CT Pharmacist Association;
David Horn, Vice President of Strategic Directions, Pitney Bowes;
Ken Kindl, Manager of Finance, Corporate Health Care, General Electric;
Jess Kupec, CEO, St. Francis Physician Health Organization;
Paul O’Sullivan, Director of Grants, Office of Congresswoman Nancy Johnson;
Eleanor Seiler, MD, Senior Medical Director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield;
Paul Sheils, CEO, Aetna Health Information Solutions;
Richard Shiffman, MCIS, MD, Associate Director of Medical Informatics, Yale University School of Medicine; and
Arthur Shreier, Director of IT, Quest Diagnostics.

Lead sponsors of the eHealthConnecticut Inaugural Summit are Aetna, Connecticut Business Development Team, Northrop Grumman and Webster Bank. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut, CIGNA, New Britain General Hospital, Qualidigm and Aetna provided initial funding to establish eHealthConnecticut.

For further information, please contact:
Qualidigm
Joy Dorin

Telephone: 860.632.6320