URMC Taps Thomas Barnett as New CIO

The New York State-based University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has hired Thomas L. Barnett, currently vice president of the NorthShore University HealthSystem in Illinois, as its new chief information officer (CIO), effective October 10.

Barnett brings more than two decades of experience building and leading information systems functions in complex healthcare settings, higher-education, industry, and IT consulting arenas, according to a URMC announcement. At the Evanston, Ill.-based NorthShore, currently serves as vice president for a network that encompasses four hospitals, 70 clinics, and an 850-member physician practice.  There, he has led the planning and deployment of initiatives such as electronic health record (EHR) and revenue cycle systems, enterprise data warehousing, Meaningful Use initiatives, IT security, mobile app and telemedicine strategy. 

Barnett also drove IT participation in key population health efforts, including the development of advanced analytic platforms for ambulatory and inpatient reporting, as well as predictive modelling for patient risk registries, care gap analyses, and risk-based contract management, according to URMC officials. While at NorthShore, Barnett was appointed to lead the system’s Digital Health Initiative, through which he collaborated with Epic’s product development team for MyChart, Cadence, Ambulatory, and Healthy Planet products.

"I am very excited to be joining the ISD team at University of Rochester Medical Center. URMC is preparing to complete the full integration of its EHR with new patient access and financial systems,” Barnett said.  “I am confident in the team and the organization to implement a system that positions URMC to not only capitalize on its rich legacy, but make some significant strides forward in the technology that is offered to our researchers, physicians, clinicians, and to our patients."

Prior to his tenure at NorthShore, Barnett spent seven years at Detroit’s Henry Ford Health System as executive director of information technology before being promoted to vice president in 2012. At Henry Ford, he was responsible for the system’s Epic implementation, including the migration of an acquired hospital, as well as for oversight of the network’s legacy applications portfolio. 

At URMC, Barnett will replace long-time CIO Jerry Powell, who retired earlier this year.  Barnett will report directly to Mark B. Taubman, M.D., URMC CEO and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry.