Telemedicine Association Names New CEO

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has named Ann Mond Johnson its new CEO, replacing Jon Linkous who stepped down suddenly last August after 24 years as the organization’s CEO.

ATA is a global member-based group focused on telemedicine, with a network of more than 10,000 industry leaders and healthcare organizations throughout the world. As CEO, Johnson will lead efforts to build ATA’s strategic partnerships and alliances to expand the use of telemedicine.

ATA said Johnson has spent most of her career raising Chicago’s profile as a major hub for healthcare technology firms. She has experience as an entrepreneur and executive with companies that leverage data in healthcare. Before joining ATA, Johnson was for two years CEO of Zest Health, a company that makes a mobile application that allows people to find a variety of healthcare choices, from health insurance plans to physicians and hospitals.

 Prior to that, she served as board chair and advisor to Chicago start-up ConnectedHealth (now part of Connecture). She sold her first start-up company Subimo to WebMD in 2006. She began her career in healthcare data and information with The Sachs Group (now part of Truven/IBM Watson).

“Following a rigorous search process during which ATA’s Board met with a number of very strong candidates, Ann quickly rose to the top of our list,”

“ATA is well positioned as a global leader in helping consumers take more control over their health and wellness through telemedicine,” said Peter Yellowlees, M.D., ATA’s board president, in a prepared statement. “Now, with Ann’s invaluable experience working across the healthcare spectrum with providers, payers and innovative technology firms, we have the powerhouse leadership to achieve our objectives, seize new opportunities and take telehealth to the next level.”

ATA said one of its most recent accomplishments was supporting and promoting passage of the CHRONIC Care Act as part of the funding bill that was signed into law on Feb. 9, 2018. Passage means more options and flexibility for providers and patients alike, and expands Medicare coverage for telehealth.