AMIA’s Fridsma Departs as President and CEO
Douglas Fridsma, M.D., Ph.D., has departed as president and CEO of the Bethesda, Md.-based American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), effective Jan. 1, the trade group announced today.
Fridsma had served in the role since 2014, and was previously the chief science officer at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC).
“Doug’s leadership as AMIA’s longest serving CEO over the past five years has resulted in significant positive impacts to the association, our members and the profession,” outgoing AMIA Board Chair, Peter J. Embi, M.D., and incoming AMIA Board Chair, Patricia C. Dykes, Ph.D., said in a joint statement. “As we begin our strategic planning process that will anchor AMIA’s critical role advancing informatics over the next decade, we will build upon the strong foundation that has been expanded under Doug’s leadership. In particular, we look forward to continuing important work across AMIA’s educational offerings, impacts on policy, advancements in applied informatics, and focus on AMIA’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Karen Greenwood, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will serve as interim CEO at AMIA while the Board of Directors begins the search for a replacement, officials announced.
AMIA leaders pointed out that Fridsma raised the visibility and importance of the association nationally and internationally through policy engagement and workforce development activities. He has worked to support the development of digital education, the applied informatics community, and the health informatics certification program, set to launch in 2021, they added.
What’s more, as president and CEO of AMIA, Fridsma worked with leading AMIA members to introduce a new philanthropic mission for AMIA through the LEAD Fund – Leadership Education and Awards Donation fund. This fund was put forth to strengthen the upcoming leaders of the field. The fund was able to provide travel stipends for eight students to AMIA’s Annual Symposium this year.
“Serving as CEO of AMIA has been a highlight of my career,” said Fridsma, “and I am thankful for the support the AMIA Board and staff have shown me during my time at AMIA. I respect the board’s decision to go in a different direction as they begin their strategic planning process, and I am proud of what we all have achieved together in the past five years. The organization is in a strong position financially and programmatically.”
Fridsma has not decided on what is next after AMIA, according to officials.
