The appointment of Karen DeSalvo, MD, as the next National Coordinator for Health IT has been met with praise throughout the healthcare industry.
"HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has made an excellent selection in appointing Karen DeSalvo, MD, as the new National Coordinator for Health IT," said HIMSS Executive Vice President Carla M. Smith in a news release. "[Dr. DeSalvo] has a deep understanding of the value of informatics, as well as of the challenges and promise of interoperability. That insight will be essential as she transitions to lead ONC’s efforts to assist U.S. clinicians and healthcare organizations as they move into stage 2 of meaningful use."
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives also supports the appointment. "[Dr. DeSalvo] follows in the footsteps of formidable visionaries and health IT practitioners. Her past experience as president of the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum and her accomplishments in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, give her an admirable skill set needed to help guide our healthcare delivery system through challenging times," said CHIME President and CEO Russell Branzell.
The most recent National Coordinator, Farzad Mostashari, MD, expressed his approval on Twitter: "I couldn't be happier with the choice of @KBDeSalvo— a public health star, she understands healthcare from the front-lines, is a true leader."
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