As part of a larger effort to become more nimble and efficient, the eight-hospital Eastern Maine Health System has realigned its information systems operations to create a system-wide shared IS structure. In addition to centralizing 62 positions, EMHS is eliminating 43 positions. The system also has appointed several new informatics executives.
“This new streamlined structure will strategically position our IS teams to better meet the current and future IS needs of EMHS,” said Kyle Johnson, vice president and CIO, in a prepared statement. “In order to achieve our goals, it is an imperative to align IS operational priorities with EMHS strategic initiatives. In addition, it is estimated we will also achieve a $2 million decrease in annual operating costs by fiscal year 2016.”
After the changes, EHMS’ IS structure will have 309 employees, with 31 staff members moving to Informatics and Education, which will be housed within the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. The EMHS press release noted that similar reviews are under way in other departments, and that if it did nothing, by the end of 2019, it could face a $100 million financial gap.
EMHS, based in Brewer, Maine, is an integrated health delivery system serving more than 40 percent of the state’s residents.
EHMS recently announced several executive appointments related to clinical informatics. April Giard, A.P.N., EMHS system director of Information Systems Applications and Nursing Informatics, has been named chief nursing information officer. Angela Tiberio, M.D., who works for Dearborn Advisors, a professional services firm, will assume the role of interim chief medical information officer. She has served as CMIO for several organizations including Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. A national search for a permanent CMIO is currently in progress.
In addition, Iyad Sabbach, M.D., senior medical director for Beacon Health, has been named vice president, chief quality officer, and associate chief medical officer, and Amy Cotton, F.N.P, F.A.A.N., has been named vice president, patient engagement. Eastern Maine also is seeking to fill a newly created position of vice president, clinical performance.
