Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1169964
70 CIO / HEALTH IT Meet Prat Vemana, Kaiser Permanente's 1st chief digital officer By Andrea Park K aiser Permanente named Prat Vema- na the Oakland, Calif.-based health system's inaugural chief digital officer, effective Aug. 12. Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Mr. Vemana held leadership positions at Universal Software Corp., CellExchange, Informed Clinical Sciences Corp. and Staples, where he served as vice pres- ident of global e-commerce, product and ana- lytics. Most recently, he spent nearly four years at Home Depot, first as vice president of online before becoming chief product and experience officer in August 2018. Mr. Vemana has also been a member of the edi- torial advisory board at Innovation Leader since January 2018. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer science from the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, India, and holds a master's in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management in Cambridge. At Kaiser Permanente, Mr. Vemana will work alongside internal health plan, hospital and med- ical group teams to lead the development and execution of the system's overall digital strategy, including the deployment of online and mobile tools to improve the experience of both patients and employees. He will report to CIO Richard Daniels, with whom he will share joint account- ability to Chairman and CEO Bernard J. Tyson. "We've made tremendous investments in build- ing our digital platforms and creating greater ac- cess for our members. Now we are taking it to the next level by focusing on digital experiences that change the way transactions and services are de- livered," Mr. Tyson said in a statement at the time of the announcement. "Prat is the perfect choice to help lead and guide the future of our digital health and wellness ecosystem that will provide our members with meaningful experiences and empower them to live more healthy years." Mr. Daniels added, "With his proven track record of delivering consumer-focused digital experi- ences, Prat will help Kaiser Permanente achieve its future vision and goals by advancing our digital strategy." n 16 hospitals, health systems launching telehealth services By Jackie Drees H ere are 16 hospitals and health systems that implemented telehealth tech- nology and services in July: 1. Cleveland-based MetroHealth System rolled out its urgent care telemedicine program July 1 to college students at select universities in Ohio, Kentucky, Texas and Florida. 2. Community Medical Center in Missoula, Mont., partnered with telemedicine provider SOC Telemed on 24/7 neurology and stroke care coverage. 3. Nashville, Tenn.-based Ascension Saint omas hospital partnered with Contessa, an acute home care management company, to offer its patients home recovery care services such as telehealth appointments and remote monitoring. 4. Texas A&M University Health Science Center is extending its telemedicine services to medical facilities in Franklin and Hearne, both in Texas, as part of its partnership with CHI St. Joseph Health. 5. West Virginia United Health System and Mon Health Medical Center, both located in Morgantown W.Va., are teaming up on telemedicine services to expand neurology and stroke care for patients at Mon Health's facilities. 6. e USDA granted $465,000 to Marietta Memorial Hospital in Ohio to implement a telemedicine program for opioid addiction. 7. e Department of Veterans Affairs launched a telehealth pilot program at select VA medical centers and remote facilities across the country to increase patients' access to audiology care specialists. 8. Julesburg, Colo.-based Sedgwick County Health Center partnered with HealthOne Virtual Network, a telehealth provider, to offer virtual care services for neurology and psychiatric patients. 9. Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, W.Va., developed a telehealth program that allows patients with diabetes to teleconference with a dietitian or a certified diabetes educator instead of traveling to the hospital for an appointment. 10. St. Luke Health Services in Oswego, N.Y., partnered with telemedicine provider Curvai Health on a program that offers its patients virtual care anytime day or night. 11. Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Metron Integrated Health Systems launched its new "smarter heart" cardiac rehab program and telehealth services at one of its medical facilities July 16. 12. University of Louisville (Ky.) Hospital's burn center launched a telehealth pilot program to help reduce patients' barriers to follow-up care. 13. NYC Health + Hospitals unveiled its primary-care-centered diabetes management program, which will enhance care for more than 60,000 New York City residents with diabetes through increased clinical pharmacy staff, telehealth technology and mobile-based health monitoring apps. 14. Dalhart, Texas-based Coon Memorial Hospital launched telehealth services that connect its cardiology and dermatology patients with specialists through video and audio conferencing technology. 15. St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City is offering a new telemedicine service that provides pregnant patients with at-home checkup kits and virtual appointments. 16. e University of Chicago Medicine has partnered with PinnacleCare to offer remote second opinions to patients across the country. n