Interoperability Expert with Extensive Implementation Expertise to Lead Efforts to Achieve ATM-Like Connectivity for Sharing Health Information
McLEAN, VA. (February 3, 2015) – Healtheway, a non-profit, public-private collaborative focused on advancing the implementation of interoperable health information exchange (HIE), today announced the organization has hired Dave Cassel to oversee the Carequality Initiative.
Industry and government worked together to launch Carequality in the spring of 2014 under the management of Healtheway. Carequality was formed with an ambitious goal: to achieve in healthcare what the banking and telecom industries have done to link together ATM and cell phone networks.
For the many health information exchange networks that are already advancing interoperability among their own members, Carequality will provide a bridge, allowing the members of separate networks to connect to each other. The ultimate mission is to ensure that healthcare information is appropriately accessible wherever it is needed, regardless of individual providers’ geographical location, electronic health record (EHR) vendor of choice, or HIE network affiliation.
“Hiring Dave is an incredibly important step in transitioning Carequality from planning to implementation,” said Mariann Yeager, Healtheway CEO. “We wanted a dedicated leader for Carequality – ideally someone with extensive experience tackling and overcoming HIE interoperability issues in real world scenarios. Having worked with Dave as a partner in Carequality and witnessing his expertise and enthusiasm, he is the perfect person to lead this effort.”
Cassel has worked 17 years in health information technology, creating a national reputation as an expert in health information exchange. He has developed and launched health IT initiatives and applications throughout his career, constantly incorporating interoperability into all projects.
Cassel served most of his career at Epic Systems Corporation, with the last nine years focused primarily on health information exchange and interoperability issues. As part of his work, he regularly represented Epic in nationwide interoperability efforts, notably working on Carequality where he served on the steering committee to help stand up the initiative through Healtheway.
“Having spent the last decade focused on interoperability, I think the time is right for Carequality. I welcome the opportunity to jump in with both feet,” said Cassel. “Carequality has the potential to provide a huge leap in interoperability. There are amazing efforts in HIE happening throughout the country, but they’re not currently able to connect with each other. Carequality will allow these initiatives to come together into a whole that will dramatically surpass the sum of the separate parts. I’m thrilled to be a part of the effort. It’s an exciting time in the industry.”
Cassel holds a Master’s of Science in economics from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Delaware.
