Electronic Health Reporter

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), the nation’s leading nonprofit authority on the use of health IT to create efficiencies in healthcare information exchange, announces its 24^th Annual National Conference convening top leaders in healthcare information technology seeking to engage in strategic discussions about the future of electronic health data interchange. The four-day event will take place at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona from May 18-21, 2015 and will feature a an opening keynote presentation from Dr. Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17^th Surgeon General of the United States on “A Vision of the Future of Technology and Medicine.”

“WEDI’s 2015 National Conference is one of the most innovative, game-changing healthcare events and continues to spur enormous industry impact year after year,” said Devin Jopp, Ed.D, WEDI president and CEO. “In addition to Dr. Carmona’s keynote and our stellar lineup of speakers presenting on actionable industry topics, we’re excited to enhance the attendee experience with the conference’s never-before-seen programs and features.”

General sessions of the four-day conference will include an influential array of speakers on critical topic areas, such as:

• Industry Panel: Bundled Payments/New Payment Models – Dr. Neil Kurtz, Golden Living Post-Acute Healthcare; Jay Sultan, Edifecs; Peggy Lynahan, Christiana Care; David Moore, Sonora Quest Laboratories
• Industry Panel: The Reality of Change: HIE and the Mission to Achieve Interoperability – Dr. Jan Lee, DHIN; Mike Mote, Arizona Health-e Connection; Teresa Rivera, UHIN; Robert Cothren, CA-HIE); David Hamilton, Xerox Government Healthcare Solutions
• Enabling Healthcare in an Increasing Threat Landscape: Security and Privacy Practices for Healthcare – Karl West, CISO and Vice President, Intermountain Healthcare
• Industry Panel: Beyond the Wires; The Challenges and Complications within Healthcare IT – Peter Kung, UCLA Health, Mark Jacobs, DHIN; Lynn Gibson, CHRISTUS Health; Shiv Gopalkrishnan, GE Healthcare IT
• Industry Panel: Data Requirements for ACOs in the MSSP – Randy Cook, AmpliPHY; Adele Allison, DST Health Solutions; Dr. Andre Berger, National ACO
• Informatics – The Next Generation – Dr. Ryan Bosch, MD, VP and CMIO, Inova Health
• ICD-10 Preparation Discussion – WEDI ICD-10 Workgroup

Additionally, educational sessions throughout the conference will cover a range of health IT topics in concurrent breakout session categories:

1. ICD-10: Testing and Launch Preparations;
2. New Payment Models Implementation;
3. BIG Data;
4. Maximizing Transactions for Value;
5. Innovations in HIE; and
6. Patient Identification.

“WEDI has proven to be a great forum for intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs to meet,” said Dan Kazzaz, Chief Executive Officer, Secure Exchange Solutions. “Regardless of whether you are coming to educate or learn, the WEDI conference is the place to be.”

The event is open to all interested healthcare stakeholders across provider, payer, vendor and government entities. Both WEDI members and non-members can register online for the conference with group discounts available. Conference registration also includes access to the May 18 National Summit on Privacy and Security and Patient Engagement.

In conjunction with the conference, WEDI will be hosting a Golf Tournament on May 17 at the Talking Stick Golf Course for attendees to join fellow attendees and WEDI staff for a fun networking event with prizes available. For more information on the tournament and conference, visit the conference website.

About WEDI

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) is the leading authority on the use of health IT to improve healthcare information exchange in order to enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs of our nation’s healthcare system. WEDI was formed in 1991 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) 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, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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