BETHESDA, MD--(Marketwire - Apr 23, 2012) - GetWellNetwork, Inc.®, provider of the industry's leading interactive patient care (IPC) solution, announced today it has appointed Russell Branzell, FCHIME, FACHE, FHIMSS, CHCIO of Poudre Valley Health System (PVHS) to the company's board of directors. Prior to his new role as chief executive officer of Poudre Valley Medical Group, Russ served for years at the chief information officer of PVHS.
"Poudre Valley Health System is a nationally recognized leader with a reputation for excellence and innovation in patient care," said Michael O'Neil, founder & CEO, GetWellNetwork, Inc. "We are thrilled that Russ has joined our board of directors and that his contributions will help assure that our patient engagement innovation continues to meet the needs of healthcare organizations and the patients in their care."
Under Russ's leadership as chief information officer for PVHS, and the president/chief executive officer 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 eight years, Information Week Magazine's Top 500 Award for innovative technology usage for the past eight years, and also received the Business Technology Optimization Excellence Award for IT Governance Best Practices (2004).
Additionally, PVHS was the recipient of the 2008 National Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award as well as the Colorado Performance Excellence Peak Quality Award in 2004 and 2008.
"Interactive patient care is an imperative in today's healthcare environment, and at Poudre Valley Health System we are committed to staying ahead of the curve and taking the necessary steps to improve the patient experience and the care delivered across the care continuum," said Branzell. "As a member of the GetWellNetwork board of directors, I'm honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the vision and direction of such a well-respected and innovative company which is leading the way in patient engagement innovation to meet our changing health system, and directly benefitting our caregivers and patients alike."
Branzell is a fellow for several healthcare organizations including the College of Healthcare Information Executives (FCHIME), the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (FHIMSS).
Prior to joining PVHS, he was the regional deputy chief information officer and executive director of information services for Sisters of Mercy Health System in St. Louis, Mo. Before his time in St. Louis, Mr. Branzell served on active duty in the United States Air Force and retired from the Air Force Reserves in 2008. While on active duty, Mr. Branzell served in numerous healthcare administration positions including chief information officer for the Air Mobility Command Surgeon General's Office. In 1996, he was selected for the Air Force Medical Service Fellowship program and completed a chief information officer internship at the Unity Health System in St. Louis, Mo.
About GetWellNetwork
GetWellNetwork, Inc. entertains, educates, and empowers patients throughout the patient journey using the bedside TV and iPad in the hospital, mobile devices, Web or Cable TV at home. This patient-centered approach improves both satisfaction and outcomes for patients and hospitals. Additionally, the company extends the value of existing IT investments by integrating seamlessly to leading HIT systems including Cerner, McKesson, Epic, Meditech, GE and Siemens.
GetWellNetwork is recognized by KLAS® as the leader in the Interactive Patient Systems category and exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association. More information about GetWellNetwork can be found at www.GetWellNetwork.com.
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