WEDI Announces Interim President and CEO

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), an authority on the use of HIT to create efficiencies in health care information exchange, recently announced that Charles W. Stellar, an executive leader with more than 35 years of experience in health care, association management, and organizational leadership, has been named by the WEDI board of directors as WEDI's interim president and CEO after the resignation of Devin Jopp, EdD. In this role, Stellar will be responsible for strategic leadership and guidance of the organization and its staff and committees until a more permanent replacement is named.

Stellar joins WEDI from his recently retired position as executive vice president of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the trade association representing the nation's health insurance industry, where he was the key liaison between AHIP's 350 plan and 400 affiliate members, ensuring consistency in messaging and shaping AHIP's membership strategy. At AHIP, Stellar's extensive portfolio included overseeing member services related to positioning the association and its diverse membership to a variety of national, state, and local audiences.

"We are honored that Charles has agreed to serve in this role and propel our organization forward during this transitional period," says Jean Narcisi, chair of the WEDI board. "In addition to the close working relationships he shares with many of the member organizations on our board, he brings unparalleled domain experience in successfully bringing health care associations to national prominence. We expect he will continue our efforts to further WEDI's role as a recognized leader and advocate for health care IT."

Stellar says, "This year will be instrumental for WEDI as we continue to work closely with the industry to implement exciting new initiatives, drive awareness of health care's ongoing challenges, and collectively improve the quality and efficiency of health care IT. I want to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated board, executive workgroups, loyal sponsors, and diverse membership base for placing its confidence in WEDI as we prepare for what will be an exciting Spring Conference and a year full of promise and progress."

Prior to his tenure at AHIP, Stellar was president and CEO of the American Managed Care and Review Association; executive director of Healthmaster HMO/IPA; deputy administrator of Charter Medical Services in Saudi Arabia; executive director of EyeCare Associates; associate executive director of the American Association of Foundations for Medical Care; and associate executive director of the American Association of the Professional Standards Review Association.

Source: The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange