The Certification Commission for Health IT announced Monday its new chair, Karen M. Bell, who is a former senior vice president of health IT services at Masspro and a board-certified internist.“I am honored to have this opportunity to lead the Certification Commission as we enter a new phase of health information technology certification – one with expanded opportunities and challenges,†Bell said. “The commission has a trusted name and processes and is already well respected for its nimbleness, creativity, transparency and inclusiveness. I look forward to working with the commission’s staff and volunteers to build on that foundation to meet the needs of healthcare providers and consumers in this rapidly evolving health IT environment.â€
Prior to Masspro, Bell served as director of the Office of Health Information Technology Adoption and acting deputy at the Office of the National Coordinator. She was also ONC’s representative on CCHIT’s board of commissioners from 2006 to 2008. In addition, Bell was division director for the quality improvement group at the Office of Standards and Quality for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
Effective April 26, Bell will replace retiring chair Mark Leavitt, who has headed the commission since 2004.