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Broad range of perspectives comprised of payers, providers, government regulators and industry vendors lead HHS advisor’s governing body

WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 24, 2020 — WEDI, the nation’s leading nonprofit authority on the use of health IT to create efficiencies in health care information exchange and a statutory advisor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), today announced the election of two new members to its 2021 Board of Directors along with the election of Officers and the re-election of ten previous board members to serve two-year terms.

“We are excited to welcome this esteemed group of executives whose unique insights will help drive WEDI’s mission to improve health information exchange, enhance care quality and reduce costs,” said Charles W. Stellar, president and CEO of WEDI. “We would also like to extend our gratitude to WEDI’s outgoing Officers who have led us through this particularly turbulent year. Their guidance was invaluable as our members navigated this new environment throughout the pandemic, including the transition of our conference format to that of a total virtual experience. The continuity of 2020 and 2021 leadership will assure our dedication to delivering the value that our members deserve.”

New 2021 Board Members include:

• Ross Lippincott, UnitedHealth Group (Health Plan)
• Tim Pletcher, MiHIN (Non-Profit)

Re-elected Board Members include:

• Matthew Albright, Zelis Payments (Vendor) 2021 Vice Chair, Membership & Communications
• Terrence Cunningham, American Hospital Association, (Provider)
• Laura Darst, Mayo Clinic (Provider)
• Pam Grosze, PNC Bank (Vendor)
• David Haugen, Minnesota Department of Health (Government)
• Jack Hunt, Availity, LLC (Vendor)
• Gail Kocher, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (Health Plan) 2020 Vice Chair, Policy
• Tom Meyers, America’s Health Insurance Plans (Health Plan)
• Jean Narcisi, American Dental Association (Provider)
• Sandra Stuart, Kaiser Permanente (Health Plan)

Standing Board Members include:

• Adele Allison, SS&C Technologies (Vendor)
• Joe Bell, eSolutions/Waystar (Vendor)
• Robert Bowman, CAQH CORE (Standards/Operating Rules) 2021 Vice Chair, Policy
• Laurie Burckhardt, WPS Health Solutions (Health Plan) 2020 Vice Chair, Programs & Services
• Durwin Day, Health Care Service Corporation (Health Plan)
• Jay Eisenstock, JEConsulting (Vendor) 2021 Immediate Past Chair
• Doreen Espinoza, X12 (Standards/Operating Rules)
• Christine Gerhardt, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Government)
• Ed Hafner, Change Healthcare (Vendor) 2021 Board Chair Elect & 2020 Vice Chair, Membership & Communications
• Charles Jaffe, Health Level Seven HL7 (Standards/Operating Rules)
• John Kelly, Edifecs (Vendor) 2021 Vice Chair, Programs & Services
• Thomas Mason, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (Government)
• Amy Neves, Aetna (Health Plan)
• Ryan Reddick, Anthem, Inc. (Health Plan)
• Sam Rubenstein, Montefiore Medical Center (Provider)
• Nancy Spector, American Medical Association (Provider) 2021 Board Chair
• Charles Stellar, WEDI (President & CEO)
• Lee Ann Stember, National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (Standards/Operating Rules)
• Robert Tennant, Medical Group Management Association (Provider)
• Laurie Woodrome, LabCorp (Provider) 2020 & 2021 Vice-Chair, Finance

For more information on the WEDI Board of Directors, visit the WEDI website.

About WEDI
WEDI is the leading authority on the use of health IT to improve health care information exchange in order to enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs of our nation’s health care system. WEDI was formed in 1991 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and was designated in the 1996 HIPAA legislation as an advisor to HHS. WEDI’s membership includes a broad coalition of organizations, including hospitals, providers, health plans, vendors, government agencies, consumers, not-for-profit organizations, and standards development organizations. To learn more, visit www.wedi.org and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.