Cal INDEX Names Two New Members to Board of Directors

Consumer Health IT Expert and Health Plan Executive Join Board to Provide Expertise to New Statewide, Next-Generation Health Information Exchange for California

Cal INDEX Names Two New Members to Board of Directors

WCGCarolyn Wang, 415-225-5050

The California Integrated Data Exchange (Cal INDEX) today announced the appointment of two new members to its five-member Board of Directors. Mark Savage, director of health information technology policy and programs for the National Partnership for Women & Families, will represent the public sector and serve as the consumer representative to the Cal INDEX Board. Beth Ginzinger, R.N., M.B.A., vice president of Provider Joint Ventures for Anthem Blue Cross’ West Region, will represent one of the two founding health plans of Cal INDEX. She replaces current Board Member Aldo De La Torre.

Cal INDEX is developing a statewide, next-generation health information exchange (HIE). This comprehensive collection of electronic patient records will include clinical data from healthcare providers and health insurers. Cal INDEX will allow physicians, nurses and hospitals throughout the state to share patients’ health information, and will provide them with the tools to help them give their patients the safest, highest-quality care possible. The result will be one of the largest exchanges of its kind, initially providing physicians and nurses with secure, on-line access to approximately 9 million health information records – or nearly one-fourth of the state’s population. Cal INDEX expects to be operational by the end of 2014.

“The addition of these two healthcare leaders to the Cal INDEX Board represents an important milestone as we work to take this next-generation health data exchange for California residents live later this year,” said David Watson, chief executive officer of Cal INDEX. “Mark’s expertise in data privacy and impressive legacy in representing the public interest and Beth’s experience as a health plan leader will be invaluable as we work on thoughtful policies and procedures to support the operational implementation of Cal INDEX.”

Mr. Savage brings to Cal INDEX significant experience in health information exchange and technology. He is the director of health information technology policy and programs for the National Partnership for Women & Families where he oversees the organization’s work to advance electronic health information exchange and technology for the benefit of individual and population health, healthcare delivery, reducing health disparities, and improving quality and patient safety. He currently serves on the federal HIT Policy Committee’s Advanced Health Models and Meaningful Use Workgroup and Strategy and Innovation Workgroup, on the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics’ Workgroup on HHS Data Access and Use, and on eHealth Initiative’s Leadership Council, among others. Prior to joining the National Partnership, Mr. Savage was senior attorney at Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. In that position, he developed, led and implemented strategic responses to health issues and health information exchange and technology, among other issues, through multi-cultural coalition building, advocacy on governmental and non-profit boards and committees, legislative advocacy, public education, and projects. From 2009-2013, he developed and led Consumers Union’s statewide project in California to advocate patients’ needs and amplify the consumer voice for electronic health information exchange and its core role in healthcare reform. Mr. Savage graduated from Stanford Law School and the University of California, Berkeley.

Ms. Ginzinger is vice president of Provider Joint Ventures for Anthem Blue Cross’ West Region, where she is responsible for provider collaboration partnerships designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the medical delivery system. Prior to that role, she was the chief executive officer of Radiant, Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Anthem, where she was responsible for providing proven methods of cost management while enhancing the quality of care management services. Previously, she served as vice president of Clinical Operations and Shared Services where she led more than 1,000 associates supporting the delivery of Anthem’s Care Management strategy. Earlier in her career, Ms. Ginzinger was responsible for the introduction and implementation of Six Sigma in Healthcare Management at Ford Motor Company.

Mr. Savage and Ms. Ginzinger join three other board members:

California Integrated Data Exchange (Cal INDEX) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that is developing a statewide, next-generation health information exchange (HIE). This comprehensive collection of electronic patient records will include clinical data from healthcare providers and health insurers. Cal INDEX will provide the underlying data and technology platform to improve quality of care by providing clinicians with a unified statewide source of integrated patient information, as well as improve efficiency and reduce the cost of healthcare. Cal INDEX was founded through seed funding from Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross. For more information, visit .