From: Reider, Jacob
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 11:23 AM
Subject: Please join me in welcoming Dr. Karen DeSalvo, the next National Coordinator
ONC Colleagues:
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Karen DeSalvo as our National Coordinator. Karen is presently the Health Commissioner for the City of New Orleans and is well experienced in health care and Health IT. Some of you know her through her work with the Crescent City Beacon Community in New Orleans, one of our national leaders in applying health IT to creatively solve challenging problems in care delivery. In addition to her connections to Crescent City, she has deep knowledge and experience in health policy, medical education, and public health. Her experience is a perfect fit for ONC's role of using health IT to improve the health care system nationwide. I am certain that she will appreciate all the hard work that you have already accomplished to achieve the three-part aim.
The last couple of months have been a whirlwind for us here at ONC. Our transition began with the new fiscal year, budget challenges and the partial federal shutdown. None of this has stopped the work we have underway. None of this has diluted our passion, our energy, or our persistent optimism that this work will change our nation for the better. None of this has distracted us from our core mission – and our continued focus on ONC's "5+1" guiding principles:
- Open, transparent, inclusive decision-making
- Eye on the prize
- Feet on the ground
- Use the market and foster innovation
- Open to all (watch out for the little folks)
+1: Place the patient (and their interests) in the center of everything we do
I have been honored to serve as your Acting National Coordinator. Every minute has been inspiring, educational, and energizing. Both Lisa and I appreciate all of the support each and every one of you have given us and will give to Karen. The work of "team ONC" is a product of every team member contributing as much as we can toward our shared goals. As the baseball fans among you may recall, David Murphy, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, was called upon to pitch in a game against the Red Sox last Summer. Like Murphy's experience, our success has been a product of the team's hard work and support rather than my personal achievements as your leader. As my tenure as your National Coordinator is now drawing to a close, I will return to the outfield where I am proud to serve as your Chief Medical Officer, and continue to work hard with you. We have a great team, great mission-driven people, and an incredible opportunity to change our world for the better.
I am certain you will share my enthusiasm for Karen's appointment as you all get to meet and work with her. 2014 will be an incredible next chapter in ONC's history and one that we should all be looking forward to. I hope that everyone has a great holiday season.
Jacob