New Association Promotes Open Health IT

Open Health IT Exchange (OHITX) promotes collaboration and interoperability between major players in the health IT ecosystem

MINNEAPOLIS—September 23 , 2009—OHITX™ (www.ohitx.org), a healthcare industry association promoting open health IT and interoperability, today announced the national launch of its newly formed association. The mission of the Open Health IT Exchange (OHITX) is to bring together the major players in the health IT ecosystem in an open and collaborative environment to advance healthcare initiatives.

“Our vision is an open and interoperable healthcare world. We know it’s not as simple as it sounds, but we all need to work together to attain this goal,” said Colleen Sauter, administrator at OHITX. “At OHITX, we are fiercely committed to breaking down the silos and working together to deliver the highest quality healthcare services in the most efficient manner.”

OHITX OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Strategic partnerships and programming will enable OHITX to fulfill its mission and pursue the following goals:

• Facilitate collaboration between healthcare consumers and producers to create systems that more effectively meet providers’ needs
• Educate members of HIT industry initiatives
• Advocate the issues facing the rural healthcare market
• Influence healthcare policy through special programs and projects that impact adoption
• Create opportunities to demonstrate practical use of interoperable products and services
• Provide a resource center with grant opportunities, education and training programs, HITECH ACT materials, and key contacts

The activities of OHITX will be shaped by the advisory committee and guided by its members. The advisory committee is comprised of individuals representing a wide range of healthcare perspectives, each committed to achieving the mission of OHITX. In addition to the advisory committee members below, confirmation of a few additional advisory members is pending.

• Deb Barger, Assistant Administrator, Bloomington Lake Clinic
• Jason Boonstra, Lab/Radiology Director, Appleton Area Health Services
• Bill Doyle, MIS Supervisor, University of Minnesota, Boynton Health Service
• Jackie McMahon, Administrator, Minnesota Orthopedic Specialists
• Deb Ranallo, Director, Medi-Sota
• Bill Sonterre, Partner, Valor
• John Stamm, Administrator, Children’s Respiratory and Critical Care Clinic
• Sara Valentine, Director of Health Information Services, Noran Neurological Clinic PA

For more information on OHITX or to join, contact Colleen Sauter, 763-230-1255 or csauter@ohitx.org. Or, join online today: http://www.ohitx.org/members/joinohitx.html

ABOUT OHITX
The mission of the Open Health IT Exchange (OHITX) is to bring together the major players in the health IT ecosystem in an open and collaborative environment to advance healthcare initiatives. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., the national association provides an open forum for hospitals and clinics, health IT vendors and service providers, healthcare IT organizations, and government and policy groups to communicate and share information, best practices and resources. Strategic partnerships and programs will drive collaboration and interoperability between healthcare providers and the vendors who serve them. For more information, visit http://www.ohitx.org.

###

OHITX™ and the OHITX logo are trademarks of OHITX. All other trademarks or trade names are the properties of their respective holders.

Media Contact:
Loan D. Gordon
OHITX™
952.230.9220
lgordon@ohitx.org