Dr. Dan Roach III, director of medical informatics at the University of South Alabama Center for Strategic Health Innovation, was recently appointed the State Health Information Technology Coordinator for the State of Alabama by Governor Robert Bentley.“I felt honored to be appointed to this position,” said Dr. Roach, a graduate of the USA College of Medicine and the pathology residency training program at USA.
Dr. Roach is responsible for the development of the state-wide Health Information Exchange system called One Health Record. He ensures that One Health Record is coordinated with state Medicaid Health Information Technology plans. He is also responsible for the Medicaid Meaningful Use Incentive Payment program and works to promote the adoption of electronic health record systems.
“I feel that this position is both good for me and for USA,” Dr. Roach said. “I am gaining great experience in working at the state and national level, and I’m exposed to state-level policy and law making processes. This experience also gives USA great exposure and representation at the state and national level.”
In 2010, Dr. Roach lead the effort that resulted in USA receiving an $8.5 million grant to become the Alabama Regional Extension Center (ALREC). The purpose of ALREC is to provide technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices in converting to an electronic health record system. Dr. Roach also currently serves as the medical director of ALREC.
