Pamela Arora, senior vice president and CIO of Children’s Health in Dallas, has been named the 2016 John E. Gall, Jr. CIO of the Year.
The award, sponsored by CHIME and HIMSS, recognizes healthcare IT CIOs who have made significant contributions to their organizations and demonstrated innovative leadership through effective use of technology. It’s named for the late John E. Gall Jr., who pioneered implementation of the first fully integrated medical information system in the world at California’s El Camino Hospital in the 1960s.
CHIME and HIMSS executives cited Arora’s commitment to transforming healthcare.
“Through an ambitious telemedicine program, an unwavering commitment to information exchange and willingness to help small provider organizations, Arora has helped the Dallas-based health system break down barriers to care,” they said.
“This recognition reaffirms that, though technology may not always be visible, the work we are doing is making a difference in the lives of patients,” Arora said in a statement. “In our case, we’re delivering on our mission of making life better for children”
Under Arora’s leadership, Children’s Health has bolstered information sharing by hosting electronic medical records for physician practices and other providers. The health system also forged strong partnerships with regional health information exchange programs.
Children’s Health is a Stage 7 hospital, the highest level on HIMSS Analytics EMR Adoption Model.
Through a 2013 pilot with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Children’s Health became one of the first health systems in the country to give parents untethered access to their children’s health information.
Also, an expanding telemedicine program enables nurses at nearly 100 schools to conduct virtual consultations with hospital-based clinicians.
“Pamela Arora continues to push the envelope of what it means to be a CIO,” CHIME CEO Russell Branzell added. “Time and time again, she shows how we can use health IT to not only support an organization’s overall strategy, but truly transform patient care across the entire continuum.”
HIMSS CEO Stephen Lieber also commended Arora for her leadership and vision.
Arora “understands and advances the strategic connection between quality patient care and the best use of IT,” Lieber said.
Arora has served on both the CHIME and HITRUST boards. She has also represented CHIME and HIMSS on the international front, working to build partnerships and share best practices around the world.
Arora will receive the award Feb. 21, 2017, at the HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition in Orlando.
HIMSS17 runs from Feb. 19-23, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center.
This article is part of our ongoing coverage of HIMSS17. Visit Destination HIMSS17 for previews, reporting live from the show floor and after the conference.