New ONC Coordinator – Dr. Karen DeSalvo

Today it was announced that Dr. Karen DeSalvo would be the replacement to the beloved Former National Coordinator for Health IT, Farzad Mostashari. It seems that Dr. DeSalvo has an interesting history currently working as Health Commissioner for the City of New Orleans and Senior Health Policy Advisor to the New Orleans Mayor. She also has served as a member of the Steering Committee for the Crescent City Beacon Community grant.

I love Jacob Reider’s note to his ONC colleagues after serving as Acting National Coordinator:

I have been honored to serve as your Acting National Coordinator. Every minute has been inspiring, educational, and energizing. Both Lisa and I appreciate all of the support each and every one of you have given us and will give to Karen. The work of “team ONC” is a product of every team member contributing as much as we can toward our shared goals. As the baseball fans among you may recall, David Murphy, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, was called upon to pitch in a game against the Red Sox last Summer. Like Murphy’s experience, our success has been a product of the team’s hard work and support rather than my personal achievements as your leader. As my tenure as your National Coordinator is now drawing to a close, I will return to the outfield where I am proud to serve as your Chief Medical Officer, and continue to work hard with you. We have a great team, great mission-driven people, and an incredible opportunity to change our world for the better.

I think the ONC is a great team that has the right ambitions and goals. Karen certainly has a tough act to follow. Plus, health IT is entering a new era in its history. I wish her the best of luck as she takes on this challenging position.