Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Appoints Members to Healthcare Information Technology Task Force
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt appointed members to the Missouri Healthcare Information Technology Task Force.
“In order to improve the delivery of quality health care in Missouri we must seek new and more efficient ways to serve both patients and providers,” Blunt said. “I have charged this task force with seeking out ways to use technology to improve Missourians’ access to health care and firmly believe that we can help set a national model for other states to follow. I look forward to this group’s deliberations and recommendations.”
Blunt created the task force to ensure that healthcare information can be readily available to health care providers, consumers, and public health agencies in order to make the best healthcare decisions and to improve patient safety by reducing medical errors. The governor introduced the task force in his State of the State Address and signed Executive Order 06-03 last month to officially create the task force.
The group is charged with reviewing the status of healthcare information technology adoption by the state, addressing issues related to the delivery of healthcare information, identifying private resources and public/private partnerships to fund efforts to adopt interoperable health information technology, exploring the use of telemedicine and making recommendations for implementation.
Julie Eckstein, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, will serve as chairperson of the group. Dan Ross, chief information officer for the state, will also serve on the task force. The following are Blunt’s additional appointments to the Missouri Healthcare Information Technology Task Force.
- Douglas K. Anning of Kansas City is a shareholder in the Business Law Department at Polsinelli Shalton Welte Suelthaus and vice chair of the Nonprofit Practice Group. Anning’s focus is in the areas of general tax and corporate law, nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations and health care organizations. Anning holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a juris doctorate from the University of Kansas.
- Gary Duncan of Joplin is president and CEO of Freeman Health System. Duncan is responsible for an integrated health system with three hospitals and a community-based behavioral health unit covering nine counties. Duncan holds a bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg College in Ohio and a master’s of divinity from Eden Theological Seminary.
- Dr. Karen E. Edison of Columbia is the chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and medical director for Missouri Telehealth Network. Edison is also the co-director for the Center for Health Policy at the University of Missouri. Edison holds bachelors degrees in biology and English from William Jewell College and a medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Rebecca L. Foudree of Independence is the co-owner of Grain Valley Pharmacy. Foudree’s pharmacy offers immunizations for influenza, pneumonia and Hepatitis-B, and is a participant in Missouri’s Medicaid disease state management program. Foudree holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
- Dr. Joel D. Hassien of Hannibal operates a private practice. Hassien holds a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College and a medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Gordon L. Kinne of Springfield is the president of Med Pay. Kinne established Med Pay in 1984 as a third party administrator involved in employee benefit administration. Kinne holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.
- John W. McClellan of Kennett is chief executive officer of Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center. McClellan holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Transylvania University in Kentucky and a master’s of health administration from the University of Kentucky.
- Randy K. Meents of Greenfield is the owner of Greenfield Pharmacy, Inc. He is also a consultant for two long-term care facilities in Dade County. Meents holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a doctor of pharmacy degree from Creighton University School of Pharmacy.
- Michael G. Murphy of Chesterfield is the chief executive officer of Mercy Health Plans. Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy and a master’s in business from Washington University.
- Dr. Stephen L. Reintjes of Kansas City is a neurosurgeon at the Kansas City Neurosurgery Group, L.L.C. Reintjes holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Georgetown University and a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
- Richard A. Royer of Columbia is the chief executive officer of Primaris. Royer also owns Avalon Development, Inc, a management consulting firm specializing in healthcare. Royer holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Akron and a master’s in business administration from Cleveland State University.
- Dr. Chad P. Shaffer of Kansas City is the chief medical information officer at Truman Medical Centers. Shaffer holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The task force’s preliminary recommendations will be due July 1 and the final report will be due on September 1 of this year. The task force will expire on Dec. 31, 2006.
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