CHIME Announces New CEO

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) recently announced that its board of trustees has selected Russell P. Branzell to serve as president and CEO.

Branzell, who is currently the CEO of Colorado Health Medical Group, a division of University of Colorado Health, will begin his new role with CHIME effective April 5, 2013.

"Following a comprehensive search, the board is fortunate to have found someone of Russ’ competency and experience to guide our organization successfully into the future,” said CHIME board chairman George T. Hickman, executive vice president and chief information officer (CIO) at Albany Medical Center, who headed the search committee. “As a respected IT executive who possesses deep industry knowledge, Russ will continue CHIME’s successful legacy of achievements and assure CHIME’s position as the association leading the national transformation of health IT.”  

Branzell will work in concert with current president and CEO Richard A. Correll, who will become the organization’s chief operating officer. “Rich’s contributions and accomplishments  over these past  20 years has well positioned CHIME for many successful years into our future, while helping to shape the careers of many of our industry’s CIOs,” said Hickman.  

In November 2012, the organization announced it would create a new strategic leadership role to serve as ambassador for CHIME, the CHIME Foundation, and the CHIME Education Foundation, to advance its mission, improve its organizational strength, and continue its policy leadership presence in Washington.

"I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization during a rapidly evolving and exciting time in our industry,” said Branzell. “I’ve been deeply involved with CHIME for over 15 years and have watched it become a leading source of trusted information and expertise in healthcare. This is a critical time for CHIME to advance its leadership role; we can truly help the industry make informed decisions about deploying healthcare IT, and help the industry adapt to new pressures for reform, improved efficiency and heightened patient safety.”

Prior to his role as CEO for Colorado Health Medical Group, Branzell was the vice president of information services and CIO for Poudre Valley Health System and the president/CEO of Innovation Enterprises (PVHS' for-profit IS entity). The information services division was recognized by Hospital and Health Networks as recipients of both the "Most Wired"/"Most Wireless" awards for the past seven years, InformationWeek Magazine's Top 500 Award for innovative technology usage for the past six years, and also received the Business Technology Optimization Excellence Award for IT Governance Best Practices (2004). Before joining PVHS, Branzell was the regional deputy CIO and executive director of information services for Sisters of Mercy Health System in St. Louis, Missouri.

Branzell is a past member of the CHIME Board of Trustees (2004-2008), past chair of CHIME StateNet, and past chair of the CHIME Education Foundation. He served as chair of the CHIME Education Committee from 2004-2008 and is currently a member of the CHIME Healthcare CIO Boot Camp faculty. He is a Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO), a fellow of CHIME and HIMSS, and board certified through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). In 2010, Branzell was honored with the CHIME State Advocacy Award for his work in bringing together stakeholders across Colorado to further the advancement of HIT, and in 2005, received the ACHE Regent’s Award as the Young Healthcare Administrator of the Year for the State of Colorado.

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Branzell earned an undergraduate degree in business administration specializing in human resource management and labor relations from the University of Texas. In 1995, he earned a Master’s degree in Administrative Science from Embry-Riddle University with an emphasis in management.

Source: The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives