Cambridge Health Alliance Appoints CMIO

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), a Harvard-affiliated integrated public healthcare system that serves Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston's metro-north region, has named Hilary Worthen, M.D., its chief medical information officer (CMIO). Dr. Worthen most recently served as CHA's senior director of clinical informatics.

Over the past decade, Worthen has focused on helping CHA harness data to inform decisions and create a more optimal patient care environment. This includes clinical leadership to create, maintain, and support top-level electronic health records that enhance care for all patients as well as award-winning electronic registries that specifically improve the care of patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, and depression. He has also collaborated with departments to provide information technology (IT) support for clinical care, research, process improvement, quality improvement, patient and staff safety, and community health.

In his new role as CMIO, Worthen will continue to shape how IT contributes to the mission of CHA and supports its clinical goals and quality improvement. He will provide key physician leadership for CHA's IT efforts, enabling the organization to create better patient care systems, improve the information environment for patients, clinicians, and staff, and navigate changes mandated by state and national health reform, including meaningful use programs.