WASHINGTON, D.C. - JANUARY 19, 2010 - The Board of Directors of the eHealth Initiative and Foundation (eHI) announces the appointment of Jennifer Covich Bordenick as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.
Covich has served the eHealth Initiative since 2001, holding positions of increasing responsibility for programs and management. Immediately prior to her appointment as CEO, Covich served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
eHI Board Chair Rachel Block, Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health's Office of Health Information Technology Transformation, noted that "Health IT has emerged as a top priority for the current Administration and Congress; billions of dollars are being invested in the public and private sector to modernize our healthcare infrastructure. Jennifer‘s strategic, policy, and business skills are precisely what this organization needs during this critical phase."
According to eHI Board member William Jessee, MD, FACMPE, FACPM, President and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Group Management Association, "Jennifer has the skills, commitment and dedication to lead eHI during this important time. Under her leadership, we are confident this organization will have an even greater role, voice and influence over health IT policy matters in the years to come."
Throughout her eight years at eHI, Covich has provided leadership for research, education and policy components. Covich was instrumental in the development of several key programs, including the Annual Health Information Exchange (HIE) Survey, the Partnership for Connecting Communities for Better Health program, eHI's Electronic Prescribing reports, the eHealth Initiative Toolkit, the Connecting Communities Coalition, and many other programs. Search Committee Chair Ray Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Axolotl added, "Jennifer offers the precise experience and leadership skills needed as eHI continues its mission to drive improvement in healthcare through technology."
As CEO, Covich will continue building strong partnerships in the health IT and quality improvement communities. eHI will continue assessing the current state of the market, serving as a key resource on Meaningful Use, evaluating health information exchange, advocating for the engagement of consumers, and supporting new research projects over the coming years.
Prior to joining eHI, Covich headed up the strategic marketing efforts at two different technology organizations, focusing on solutions for the healthcare industry. Covich spent four years at the National Committee for Quality Assurance as Director of Policy and Product Development, where she assisted in the development of national quality standards for healthcare organizations. She began her career at George Washington University Medical Center and Health Plan, working on quality initiatives and healthcare administration. As a faculty member at the University of Phoenix, she taught healthcare classes to graduate students. Covich earned a master's degree in Human Resource Development and completed coursework in the doctoral program in healthcare administration at the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
About eHealth Initiative and its Foundation
The eHealth Initiative and Foundation (eHI) is an independent, non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization whose mission is to drive improvements in the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare through information and information technology (IT). eHI is the only organization that represents all of the stakeholders in the healthcare industry. eHI advocates for the use of health IT that is practical, sustainable and addresses stakeholder needs, particularly those of patients. For more information, visit www.ehealthinitiative.org.