Member News
Alex Romillo of Health Choice Network Named Top CIO in Technology Leaders of the Year Awards
Miami, FL Health Choice Network’s Chief Information Officer Alejandro Romillo has been named top chief information officer in the annual Technology Leaders of the Year awards, hosted by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Romillo was recognized for his achievements through his senior vice president position at Health Choice Network, work on several Boards and HIT initiatives, leadership on task forces and committees and role as CIO for more than 50 community health centers. He was specifically honored for helping to improve the meaningful use of the electronic health record in South Florida while raising the level and accessibility of health care for hundreds of thousands of underserved patients.
The Technology Leaders of the Year awards were announced at a luncheon on April 30 at Jungle Island. The awards competition highlights innovation and success in South Florida’s technology industry. Hundreds of nominees were submitted in five categories. Alex has worked tirelessly to promote the use of health information technology to improve the lives of South Floridians, particularly the most vulnerable, said Health Choice Network President and CEO Kevin Kearns. He is also an inspirational leader for our 65-member team of IT professionals, guiding them to great achievements in recent years.
Health Choice Network is a national model of successful collaboration of community health centers. By sharing common business, technology and administrative services, Health Choice Network participants increase efficiencies, decrease costs and provide better and more accessible patient care. HCN has partnered with the Health Foundation of South Florida to lead the South Florida Health Information Regional Extension Center, a recently awarded grant to promote the adoption of electronic health records to 1,500 health care professionals in Miami Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties.
Contact:
Kevin Kearns
Health Choice Network
(305) 599-1015
CHS Healthcare (Collier Health Services) in Collier County Receives AAAHC Accreditation
March 22 2010 – CHS Healthcare (Collier Health Services) has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC/Accreditation Association). Accreditation distinguishes this ambulatory health care organization from many other outpatient facilities by providing a safe work environment and the highest quality of care to its patients. Status as an accredited organization means CHS Healthcare has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the Accreditation Association. More than 4,500 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.
“We believe our patients deserve the best,” stated Steve Weinman, Executive Vice President
of CHS. “When you see our certificate of accreditation, you will know that the AAAHC, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has closely examined our facility and procedures. It means that we as an organization care enough about our patients to strive for the highest care possible.”
Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by the Accreditation Association’s expert surveyors – volunteer physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help and organization improve its care and services.
“Going through the process challenged us to find better ways to serve our patients, and it is a constant reminder that our responsibility is to our patients and the quality of care we provide”, said Weinman. AAAHC accreditation is specifically for organizations that provide diagnostic or medical care on an outpatient basis- where an overnight stay would not be required. Among the types of ambulatory health care organizations that can seek AAAHC are ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, single and multi-specialty group practices, college health centers, dental group practices, community health centers, occupational health centers, and managed care organizations.
Collier Health Services (CHS Healthcare) was founded in 1977 by a group of community leaders for the purpose of improving the health of migrant and seasonal farm workers, rural poor, and other citizens in Collier County. CHS Healthcare, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, continues to seek ways to further its commitment to provide quality, professional medical and dental health care services to residents in our community. In so doing, a total of 12 sites have been established, both medical and dental, including the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®. The organization cares for more than 47,000 patients. All CHS sites go through a rigorous evaluation of compliance with state-of-the-art performance standards. Information on CHS can be found at www.collier.org.
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC/Accreditation
Association), founded in 1979, is the leader in ambulatory health care accreditation with more than 4,500 organizations accredited nationwide. The AAAHC accredits a variety of ambulatory health care organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery centers, endoscopy centers, college student health centers, military health care clinics, and large medical and dental practices. The Accreditation Association serves as an advocate for the provision of high-quality health care through the development of nationally recognized standards and through its survey and accreditation programs. AAAHC accreditation is recognized as a symbol of quality by third-party payers, medical organizations, liability insurance companies, state and federal agencies and the public.Media Contact:
Nancy M. Freeman
CHS Healthcare
Office: 239-658-3126Henning, of CHS Healthcare, Receives Federal Commission Appointment
Denise Henning, CNM, MSN, Service Line Leader for Women’s Health at CHS Healthcare (Collier Health Services) in Immokalee, was named as one of the 17 appointed members of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Henning is a practicing Nurse-Midwife providing prenatal and gynecological care to patients at CHS's Marion E. Fether Medical Center. The organization works with the underserved population in Collier, the majority being either uninsured or covered by Medicaid.
In a December release from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington, D.C., Gene L. Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General of the United States and head of the GAO, announced the appointment of the 17 member MACPAC commission, Henning being on that impressive list of professionals. MACPAC, established by the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, will be responsible for the review of Medicaid and CHIP access and payment policies. They will also advise Congress on those issues and their affect on Medicaid and CHIP. According to its website,The Government Accountability Office, known as the investigative arm of Congress, exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities. GAO also works to improve the performance of the federal government and ensure its accountability to the American people. The agency examines the use of public funds; evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions. GAO’s commitment to good government is reflected in its core values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.
Prior to working with CHS, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Henning was Director of Clinical Operations for Women’s Health Services at the Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida (2003 to 2008) as midwifery staff supervisor. Her experience as a Certified Nurse-Midwife includes over 2,000 deliveries. Previous to this, she was a labor and delivery RN at a Level III teaching hospital. Presently, she is President of the Midwifery Business Network and a chapter chair of the American College of Nurse Midwives. Henning received her Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery from the University of Florida in Jacksonville and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Henning's first term commission with MACPAC will expire in December 2011.