Angie Bass Named Healthcare IT Trailblazer of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Emily Mata | Director of Public Relations & Brand Strategy

Bass recognized for her exemplary leadership, contributions to the field of health IT

CHICAGO – Angie Bass, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Velatura HIE Corporation (Velatura), has been awarded the prestigious Healthcare IT Trailblazer of the Year Award at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2023 Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

This award, presented by Medigy and the Healthcare and IT Marketing Community (HITMC), recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and innovative contributions to the healthcare and health IT industry.

Bass has dedicated her career to improving the interoperable exchange of health information, from her leadership in the development of the Midwest Health Connection (MHC), one of the nation’s largest health information exchanges, to her relentless advocacy for the evolution from health information exchange to health data utility (HDU) — a critical next step for our nation’s healthcare infrastructure.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Healthcare IT Trailblazer award,” said Bass. “I have spent nearly two decades working to improve the statewide exchange of electronic health information, allowing doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers to appropriately access and securely share a patient’s vital medical information electronically – improving the speed, quality, and safety of patient care. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to this important work, and I am inspired by the unparalleled potential for progress as we continue the evolution from HIE to HDU.”

Bass’ vision, dedication, and leadership have made a significant impact in the industry. She was appointed CEO of MHC in 2016, becoming one of the youngest in the U.S. in the field of Health Information Exchange Technology. In that role, her advocacy and partnerships secured $10M in funding for corporate infrastructure costs and drafted legislation to create the Health Information Exchange for Missouri, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously. Continuing to build upon that framework, Bass was instrumental in securing a historic $50M investment in Missouri’s health data infrastructure in 2022, which included the creation of an HDU in the state.

As the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Velatura, Bass has successfully consolidated HIEs, community-based organizations, and health information networks to achieve national economies of scale while maintaining localized stakeholder alignment, resulting in cost reductions and new growth opportunities members.

“This recognition is a testament to Angie’s hard work and unwavering commitment to improving interoperability across the care continuum,” said Dr. Tim Pletcher, President and CEO of Velatura. “Angie’s exceptional leadership, expertise in health policy and health administration, and strategic insights have not only positioned her as an expert in the field but have contributed to shaping the future of healthcare. We are grateful to have her on our team and congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”

In addition to leading Velatura, Bass has also been an active mentor and leader in the health IT community. She established an intern program that allowed women and minorities at the University of Missouri – School of Public Health, to work alongside MHC staff to gain real-world experience. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the HIE Trade Association and CIVITAS Networks for Health. Additionally, she was selected for Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders Award in recognition of her leadership in healthcare and health interoperability achievements.

“The HITMC Healthcare IT Trailblazer Award recognizes pioneers forging a path for the healthcare industry to follow,” said Colin Hung, HITMC Community Manager. “We are proud to honor Angie for her continued contributions to the field and look forward to what she will do next.”

For a full list of Winners and Honorees for the 2023 Medigy HITMC Awards, please visit the official awards page.

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About Velatura HIE Corporation

Velatura HIE Corporation is a not-for-profit organization offering affiliation, collaboration, and integration opportunities to health information exchanges (HIEs) across the country. VHIE Corp. is backed by more than a decade of experience and deep acumen in all aspects of clinical information interoperability. Additionally, VHIE Corp.’s service offerings draw on the proficiencies and innovation in research and development. For more information on how Velatura HIE can elevate your health information exchange efforts to the next level, visit our website at www.velatura.org.