NEWS

Research Triangle Park, NC (September 26, 2007) – The North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communications Alliance, Inc. (NCHICA), a nonprofit consortium that aims to improve health and care in North Carolina through health information technology (HIT) initiatives, announced the election of Tom Earnhardt as its 2007-2008 President. Earnhardt is currently Senior Vice President of Cabarrus Family Medicine (now part of Carolinas HealthCare System), a multi-clinic group providing comprehensive family healthcare to more than 70,000 patients in Cabarrus and Stanly counties.

Earnhardt was elected by the NCHICA Board of Directors during the organization’s 13th Annual Conference and Exhibition, held Sept. 24-26 in Asheville, NC. He succeeds Jon Brown, Director, IT Security, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, in the position.

“NCHICA has an unparalleled ability to engage stakeholders from all aspects of health and care to advance HIT adoption, and it is a tremendous honor to be elected President of this progressive organization,” said Earnhardt. “But NCHICA’s efforts are not about computers – they’re about getting complete, accurate information to clinicians at the time decisions are being made so they can deliver the best care to their patients.”

Earnhardt received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pfeiffer University and completed his physician assistant training at Emory University School of Medicine. He obtained a Master of Health Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has special interest in computerized patient medical records and has spent countless hours working toward electronic data interchange and commerce.

“NCHICA has been very fortunate to have strong, visionary leaders since our founding by Executive Order of the Governor in 1994,” said Holt Anderson, Executive Director of NCHICA. “Our growing national reputation is a direct reflection of the leadership of our officers and participation of our members. The next year will present NCHICA with new opportunities to meet our mission of improving health and care in North Carolina by accelerating the adoption of information technology.”

Earnhardt’s one-year term began with his election at the Board of Directors meeting on Sept. 26. He commented, “In 2007, NCHICA had a flurry of successes that we will continue to build on in the year ahead. Our focus in 2008 will be on implementing the strategic plan developed by the Board, heightening new member recruitment efforts, and increasing legislative and administrative collaboration with state government.”

About NCHICA

The North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communications Alliance, Inc. (NCHICA) is a nationally recognized nonprofit consortium that serves as an open, effective and neutral forum for health information technology (HIT) initiatives that improve health and care in North Carolina. Members include leading organizations in healthcare, research and information technology. 

Working closely with its members, NCHICA has the unique ability to convene and form partnerships to advance HIT adoption. NCHICA’s leadership in conducting demonstration projects, hosting educational sessions and fostering collective efforts within North Carolina helps position the state at the vanguard of national HIT acceleration efforts. NCHICA is located in Research Triangle Park, NC. For more information, please call (919) 558-9258 or visit www.NCHICA.org.