Velatura Launches “AI First for People” Initiative, Integrates UAE’s Falcon LLM to Power Bilingual Healthcare Solutions

DEARBORN, Mich.,—August 18, 2025—Velatura Public Benefit Corporation (Velatura) today announced the launch of its groundbreaking “AI First for People” initiative, integrating the UAE-developed open-source Falcon Large Language Model (LLM) into custom-trained, bilingual Arabic-English AI healthcare products.

The company will unveil this transformative technology at a special event planned for October 4, 2025, in Dearborn, establishing the Dearborn-Detroit corridor as the company’s flagship hub for AI innovation.

This implementation represents more than a single product launch; it marks the beginning of Velatura’s multi-pronged strategy to deliver authentic Arabic-speaking user experiences through custom-trained models fine-tuned and extended from Falcon. Initial outcomes have proven highly encouraging, positioning the initiative to serve the Western Hemisphere’s largest Arabic-speaking population while preparing for deployment across the Middle East.

The company’s flagship products, including the Arabic edition of Consent Manager+™ and the innovative AskTeli AI operating system, represent a new category of bilingual Arabic-English AI experience products designed for healthcare applications. These solutions go beyond traditional translation, incorporating Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) to deliver culturally authentic interactions for Arabic-speaking communities.

“This technology doesn’t just translate words, it creates authentic Arabic-speaking user experiences that preserve cultural context and medical accuracy, addressing a critical gap in healthcare equity,” said Dr. Tim Pletcher, DHA, CEO of Velatura. “By fine-tuning Falcon’s advanced capabilities through our custom-trained models, we’re transforming how Arabic-speaking communities interact with their healthcare providers while establishing Michigan as a hub for health AI innovation.”

Velatura’s approach positions the company as a pioneer in open-source AI-ML for health sciences, aligning with the President’s AI Action Plan and advancing sovereign AI with worldwide influence. The technology delivers innovative AI solutions for consent management, patient recruitment, engagement, and protocol validation, tailored specifically for Dearborn’s nearly 200,000 Arabic speakers, the country’s largest Arabic-speaking population.

According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 71% of Arabic-speaking patients report significant difficulties understanding healthcare documentation. Research from the Office of Minority Health further shows that patients with limited English proficiency are at significantly higher risk of medical errors due to miscommunication, with the Joint Commission Journal reporting that 68% of non-English speaking patients sign consent forms they don’t fully understand.

The initiative enriches the TII & Falcon LLMs ecosystem, spawning new commercial and research products alongside strategic partnerships that simultaneously elevate UAE-US innovation networks. While Falcon excels in multiple languages, particularly Arabic, it has seen limited real-world application in the USA. Velatura’s approach bridges this gap, delivering tangible benefits to citizens and residents in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and beyond through VelaturaAI apps and agents.

Prashant Natarajan, Chief AI Officer at Velatura, explained the technology’s broader significance: “Our custom-trained models, fine-tuned from Falcon, create a new standard for bilingual healthcare AI. This isn’t just about better translation, it’s about building AI-first solutions that truly serve people, establishing a sustainable innovation ecosystem right here in Michigan.”

The October 4 launch event marks the beginning of a comprehensive initiative to address what Arabic-speaking patients identify as their primary healthcare challenge: language barriers that prevent effective medical care delivery.

“ACCESS has long advocated for better healthcare communication for our community,” said Maha Freij, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS). “This implementation represents a significant advancement that positions Michigan as a leader in culturally responsive healthcare technology, potentially transforming care delivery for Arabic-speaking populations globally.”

The October 4 event will include demonstrations of:

  • Bilingual Arabic-English AI experience products
  • Custom-trained healthcare AI models fine-tuned from Falcon
  • Interactive AskTeli AI operating system showcases
  • Real-time RLHF demonstrations with cultural context preservation
  • Open-source AI-ML solutions for health sciences

Speakers at the event will include Dr. Tim Pletcher, DHA, CEO of Velatura; Prashant Natarajan, Chief AI Officer at Velatura; representatives from UAE Health Authority; leadership from the Arab American Health Initiative; and community leaders from Dearborn’s Arab-American community.

For more information about Velatura’s AI First for People initiative and AI suite of products, visit www.veltura.org.

About Velatura Public Benefit Corporation
Velatura Public Benefit Corporation is the country’s premier interoperability platform provider and operator of the largest network of multijurisdictional health information exchanges (HIE) and Trusted Data Sharing Organizations (TDSO). By enabling secure and efficient exchange of critical electronic health information, Velatura helps healthcare organizations streamline workflows, improve care coordination, and enhance patient care. For additional information, visit www.velatura.org.

Media Contact
Emily Mata
emily.mata@velatura.org
517-745-8835

Velatura Receives IAM Pioneer Partner Award

Velatura took center stage in New York City last month, showcasing our groundbreaking work with Docusign at its Partner Day and Momentum events.

These gatherings highlighted how our partnership is reshaping healthcare by moving beyond traditional paperwork. Together, we’ve developed innovative tools designed to improve trust, simplify administration, and support better decision-making, all while laying the foundation for a more connected and human-centered healthcare experience.

Velatura’s collaboration with Docusign is rooted in a shared commitment to transforming how agreements are created, managed, and understood—especially within complex, high-stakes environments like healthcare. As a Docusign partner, Velatura has worked to bring Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) to the forefront of healthcare interoperability. Together, we’re driving change by combining trusted, compliant technology with real-world, patient-first solutions.

Velatura Receives IAM Pioneer Partner Award

During Partner Day, Velatura was honored with the IAM Pioneer Partner Award, which recognizes organizations that are leveraging Docusign’s IAM platform to deliver next-generation solutions in their industries.

This award underscores Velatura’s leadership in applying IAM to some of healthcare’s most critical challenges. By integrating Docusign’s IAM platform with Velatura’s Integrated Technology Platform (ITP), we are enabling a new level of interoperability, automation, and user-centricity across health information exchanges (HIEs), provider networks, payers, and beyond.

The recognition also reflects the value of collaboration with customers, partners, and stakeholders who continue to drive innovation alongside us. Together, we are not just improving how agreements are signed; we are rethinking how trust is built, shared, and sustained across healthcare.

Launch of Consent Manager+: A New Approach to Consent and Interoperability

Velatura also used the occasion to formally launch Consent Manager+. Built on Docusign’s IAM and ID Verification platform capabilities. Consent Manager+ offers a powerful combination of automation, intelligence and interoperability to simplify and modernize how consent is captured, understood, and managed across the healthcare ecosystem.

J&B Medical, our first early adopter of Consent Manager+, is using the platform to streamline insurance billing consent and manage authorizations for diabetes care, wound care, and other medical supplies. This implementation highlights how Consent Manager+ enhances the experience for both patients and providers, while also improving operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations

Key features include:

  • Patient-first workflows that guide users through education, identity verification, and consent processes in a clear and intuitive way.
  • Automated consent management, enabling organizations to create, distribute, and track consents across jurisdictions and use cases.
  • AI-powered patient support via Ask Telli™, Velatura’s proprietary context-sensitive AI assistant that helps individuals understand what they’re consenting to and why it matters.
  • Cross-sector interoperability, supporting data sharing between traditional healthcare entities and adjacent sectors like education and financial services.
  • Integration with Velatura’s ITP and Active Care Relationship Service (ACRS), ensuring seamless exchange of consent data and alignment with provider rosters, ADT alerts, and care episodes.

Momentum Event Highlights

As part of the Momentum agenda, Velatura’s Tara Cramer spoke about the importance of intelligent agreements in supporting effective data sharing and care coordination. She emphasized how solutions like Consent Manager+ help organizations maintain compliance while also ensuring that patients remain informed and empowered participants in their care.

Her presentation further reinforced a core theme of the event: intelligent agreements are not just digital forms, they are foundational tools for building scalable, trustworthy systems.

Looking Ahead

Velatura’s recognition as a Docusign IAM Pioneer Partner and the successful launch of Consent Manager+ are important milestones, but they are just the beginning. Our focus remains on continuing to develop tools that simplify complex healthcare interactions and enable more equitable, efficient care delivery.

We are grateful to Docusign for their continued partnership and proud to work alongside organizations like J&B Medical that are embracing innovation to drive meaningful change. As we look ahead, Velatura remains committed to advancing intelligent, human-centered technology that works—because healthcare agreements should do more than check boxes. They should create clarity, accountability, and trust.

Velatura Launches Cloud-Based Technology Platform to Enhance Real-Time Healthcare Data Sharing

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—August 15, 2025—Marking a significant advancement in healthcare interoperability, Velatura Public Benefit Corporation (Velatura) today announced the launch of its Integrated Technology Platform (VITP) in Missouri, a new cloud-based system designed to improve how healthcare organizations share patient data and coordinate care.

 The platform addresses growing demands for real-time healthcare information exchange and positions organizations to better meet evolving federal interoperability mandates while aligning with industry best practices. 

 “Healthcare organizations today face unprecedented demands for seamless data sharing and real-time interoperability,” said Rich Fish, Chief Operating Officer. “Developed with input from the organizations we serve, VITP addresses these challenges head on. By facilitating seamless integration of comprehensive patient insights when and where clinicians need them most, we’re ensuring that technology truly enhances clinical decision-making and improves patient outcomes across our network.” 

 Built on modern cloud infrastructure, the VITP represents both an industry-wide shift toward more flexible, scalable solutions and Velatura’s commitment to advancing interoperability by delivering clean, actionable data and real-time quality measures directly at the point of care, including: 

  • A centralized FHIR® Clinical Data Repository standardizes and consolidates patient information, making data more accessible across different healthcare systems and applications. 
  • Advanced patient matching and identity resolution uses sophisticated algorithms to improve data accuracy and reduce errors. 
  • Cloud-native infrastructure reduces operational costs, minimizes system outages, and provides flexibility to scale as organizational needs change. 

VITP includes comprehensive regulatory compliance features designed to support state and federal standards, critical as healthcare organizations navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. The platform helps organizations prepare for and adapt to changing requirements, including HTI rule compliance and alignment with the new CMS Interoperability Framework.  

“The regulatory landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with each HTI rule iteration introducing new complexities that healthcare organizations must navigate while continuing to deliver quality patient care,” said Shelley Mannino, Executive Vice President. “VITP provides the technological foundation that allows our partners to stay ahead of these changes rather than constantly playing catch-up. Our platform doesn’t just support current compliance requirements; it’s built with the flexibility and scalability to adapt as federal mandates continue to evolve. This strategic approach to infrastructure ensures that our network partners can focus on what they do best–caring for patients–while we handle the technical complexity of data sharing, regulatory alignment and industry best practices.” 

The platform’s real-time data access capabilities address common challenges in healthcare data sharing, where delays in data retrieval and processing can impact patient care. VITP allows healthcare providers immediate access to comprehensive patient information during critical clinical decision-making moments. 

This “right information, right time” approach aims to reduce medical errors, eliminate duplicative testing, and improve overall care coordination across Missouri’s healthcare networks. The system consolidates data from multiple sources, including electronic health records, laboratory systems, imaging centers, and more, providing clinicians with a more complete view of patient health status. 

The platform is now operational, with Velatura’s partner organizations continuing their migration from the legacy system.  

To learn more about the VITP, please visit https://velatura.org/vitp/ 

About Velatura Public Benefit Corporation
Velatura is the country’s premier interoperability platform provider and operator of the largest network of multijurisdictional health information exchanges (HIE) and Trusted Data Sharing Organizations (TDSO). By enabling secure and efficient exchange of critical electronic health information, Velatura helps healthcare organizations streamline workflows, improve care coordination, and enhance patient care. For additional information, visit www.velatura.org.  

Media Contact: 
Emily Mata
emily.mata@velatura.org
517-745-8835 

 

Velatura Public Benefit Corporation Applauds Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan

Washington, D.C. — July 29, 2025 — Velatura Public Benefit Corporation applauds President Trump’s newly released artificial intelligence strategy, “Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan.” This comprehensive framework represents a bold, forward-thinking approach to ensuring American leadership in the rapidly evolving AI landscape while prioritizing innovation, accountability, and economic prosperity.

“President Trump’s AI Action Plan represents a watershed moment for American healthcare innovation—boldly prioritizing outcomes over bureaucracy while maintaining essential safeguards. By accelerating FDA pathways, establishing national standards, and investing in critical infrastructure, the Administration has created precisely the environment needed to unleash the next generation of AI-powered medical breakthroughs,” said Tim Pletcher, CEO of Velatura Public Benefit Corporation. “This approach mirrors our AI Censu framework that judges AI by its measurable impact rather than imposing burdensome input regulations. The Plan’s emphasis on public-private collaboration and bias-free systems will transform how we develop, deploy, and evaluate healthcare AI while ensuring America maintains global leadership in this critical technology frontier.

Velatura is especially encouraged by the Plan’s emphasis on several key principles that our organization has championed, many of which reflect recommendations we provided in our response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) prior request for information.

  • Output-Focused Governance: The Plan’s approach mirrors our AI Censu framework, which emphasizes judging AI by its impact rather than creating bureaucratic hurdles around data sourcing or model development processes.
  • Individual Empowerment: By supporting individuals’ rights to create and own AI solutions, the Administration has embraced our Digital Prosperity Initiative’s vision of economically empowering Americans through technology, including robust support for open-source AI development that democratizes access to cutting-edge tools.
  • Balanced Accountability: The Plan successfully balances innovation with appropriate safeguards, aligning with our recommendation for transparency without unnecessary bureaucracy, particularly important as we advance open weight AI models that provide visibility into model architecture while maintaining competitive advantages.
  • Education and Workforce Development: The Administration’s recognition that AI advancement requires comprehensive education, training, and upskilling initiatives aligns perfectly with Velatura’s commitment to an “AI First for People” culture, preparing healthcare professionals and the broader workforce for an AI-enabled future.

The alignment between the Administration’s AI Action Plan and Velatura’s vision extends to testimony provided by Prashant Natarajan, our Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs earlier this year. In that testimony, Mr. Natarajan outlined several prescriptions for AI success that are reflected in the new Plan:

“The Administration’s AI Action Plan represents a significant validation of the principles I outlined before Congress—particularly the concept of ‘AI Fidelity’ where innovation thrives when healthcare AI is judged by patients and providers in real-world settings, not by regulatory checkboxes,” noted Prashant Natarajan, Velatura’s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. “President Trump’s approach brilliantly differentiates between organizational systems requiring structured oversight and personal health AI innovations that demand flexibility. By incorporating these distinctions into national policy, the Plan creates unprecedented opportunities for Americans across the healthcare spectrum—from individual consumers and caregivers to medical professionals and health systems—to develop customized AI solutions while maintaining essential safeguards for enterprise applications. This balanced framework will accelerate precision medicine development while fostering a new wave of patient-led innovation.

As America’s leading healthcare interoperability platform provider and Trusted Data Sharing Organization network spanning fourteen states, Velatura stands uniquely positioned to help the Trump Administration rapidly implement this visionary plan across the healthcare ecosystem through strategic public-private partnerships. Our established infrastructure for secure health information exchange provides an immediate foundation for deploying AI innovations in clinical settings nationwide while maintaining essential privacy protections.

Velatura is prepared to mobilize our technical resources, healthcare partnerships, and AI governance expertise to accelerate the Administration’s objectives—particularly in developing standardized evaluation frameworks and establishing testing sandboxes for healthcare-specific applications. Our Digital Prosperity Initiative offers a ready platform for demonstrating how the Plan’s emphasis on deregulation can foster patient-centered innovation without compromising safety standards, while our commitment to education, training, and upskilling ensures healthcare professionals are prepared to leverage both proprietary and open-source AI solutions effectively.

President Trump’s AI Action Plan represents a transformative American approach to healthcare technology—one that boldly prioritizes innovation while maintaining appropriate accountability measures. Velatura is committed to working directly with the Administration through robust public-private partnerships to ensure America leads the world in AI-powered healthcare advancements that improve outcomes, reduce costs, and restore our nation’s competitive edge in this critical technology frontier.

For more information about Velatura, please visit www.velatura.org.

About Velatura
Velatura is the country’s premier interoperability platform provider and operator of the largest network of multijurisdictional health information exchanges (HIE) and Trusted Data Sharing Organizations (TDSO). By enabling secure and efficient exchange of critical electronic health information, Velatura helps healthcare organizations streamline workflows, improve care coordination, and enhance patient care. For additional information, visit www.velatura.org.

Media Contact
Emily Mata
emily.mata@velatura.org
517-745-8835

Velatura HIE Corporation Announces Hire of Noelle Parker

Velatura HIE Corporation Announces Hire of Noelle Parker
Parker is focused in enhancing customer experience, meeting industry demands

Jefferson City, MO – Velatura HIE Corporation (Velatura), a not-for-profit organization offering affiliation, collaboration, and integration opportunities to health information exchanges (HIEs) across the country, today announced the appointment of Noelle Parker, MBA, CMPE, PCMH-CCE as Vice President of Client Affairs for its Midwest division.

Parker brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare consulting, quality improvement, operational excellence, and value-based care to her new role.

“I am honored to join Velatura HIE Corporation at such a pivotal time in the evolution of health information exchange and interoperability,” said Parker. “Throughout my career, my focus has been on demonstrating the value of solutions and products that reduce fragmentation across the healthcare ecosystem in order to improve whole-person care. I look forward to working alongside our stakeholders to enhance the customer experience and meet the multifaceted demands of technological change and regulatory requirements as the industry evolves.”

In her previous role as Senior Consultant at Community Asset Builders, LLC, Parker worked with rural health clinics in Missouri on achieving Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition, data analytics, quality improvement strategies, and population health management. Prior to that, she was the Missouri Quality Improvement Network (MOQuIN) Manager at the Missouri Primary Care Association, where she led a team that provided support and technical assistance to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) on a variety of quality improvement initiatives.

“We are thrilled to welcome Noelle to Velatura as Vice President of Client Affairs,” said Marty Woodruff, Chief Commercial Officer at Velatura HIE Corporation. “She has a wealth of experience in interoperability and data governance, but her true skill lies in her solutions-focused approach and expertise in building and managing relationships. She is poised to help Velatura usher in the next generation of health information exchange and will play a critical role in helping our clients thrive in today’s fast-paced, competitive and ever-changing HIE landscape.”

At Velatura, Parker will be responsible for sales and relationship management across the Midwest region, as well as the development and execution of strategic direction and coordination of business development. She will also work to ensure that Velatura’s HIE services meet the highest quality standards and support the company’s mission of advancing the health of the communities it serves.

Parker holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems from Westfield State University. She is also certified as a Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and as a NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home Certified Content Expert (PCMH-CCE).

 

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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 wwww.velatura.org.

Velatura HIE Corporation and Premier Health Network Announce Launch of CareConvene in Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2023

 

Velatura HIE Corporation and Premier Health Network Announce Launch of CareConvene in Georgia
Transition of care workflow improves care coordination, reduces inefficiencies via real-time insights

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Velatura HIE Corporation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of affiliated regional health information exchanges transforming patient care and public health through the interoperable exchange of critical information, and Premier Health Network, a physician owned clinically integrated health network of 523 providers, today announced the launch of CareConvene in the Georgia market, a critical milestone for the improvement of value-based care delivery in the region.

CareConvene is a revolutionary transition of care workflow platform offered by Velatura HIE Corporation designed to improve clinical capabilities, reduce unnecessary inpatient hospitalization and eliminate avoidable hospital readmission. The platform aids clinicians in the delivery of real-time delivery hospital notifications and provides novel digital tools to establish a 48-hour post discharge patient interaction.

“Healthcare providers are grappling with delayed information and data overload while simultaneously trying to keep up with increased patient demand and ensure the proper and seamless continuity of care,” said Tara Cramer, Senior Vice President of Regional Growth of Velatura HIE Corporation. “The comprehensive datasets we exchange enable CareConvene to equip providers with real-time actionable insights directly into their clinical workflows, addressing potential gaps in care and pinpointing who could benefit from follow up and transitions of care support.”

CareConvene’s clinician-centered design integrates real time admission, discharge and transfer (ADT) notifications. When an ADT event occurs, providers and care teams receive SMS notifications based on specific delivery criteria. They can then filter their patient population using customized attributes to exclude irrelevant ADTs, optimizing patient outreach workflow and efficiency. The platform supports the successful completion of the CMS TRC measure, specifically the 48-hour post-discharge interaction, by employing a secure and innovative digital engagement method for patients who are unresponsive to phone calls or voicemails.

“By aggregating and organizing patient data from various types of stakeholders connected to the HIE, CareConvene connects care teams and their patients anytime, anywhere,” said Todd Bailey, Chief Operating Officer of CareConvene. “CareConvene’s platform removes historic barriers to effective communication and empowers healthcare providers with the intelligence and analytics needed to properly coordinate care across the spectrum to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently, resulting in fewer avoidable readmissions and better post-acute care.”

Through enhanced care collaboration and real-time intelligence sharing, CareConvene’s Transition of Care process helps identify gaps in care, reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and avoidable readmissions, and supports medication reconciliation, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Transition of Care (TRC) measures, CMS Star Ratings and Healthcare Effective Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) technical specifications.

“Premier Health is constantly striving to improve health outcomes, enhance the overall care experience for patients and providers alike, and reduce the need for costly and unnecessary readmissions,” said Geoffrey Mitton, MHA, Executive Director of Premier Health Network. “CareConvene is built for efficiency and interoperability. It eliminates dangerous and costly blind spots by allowing providers to remain actively engaged in patient care following discharge. Thanks to CareConvene, we are able to enhance coordination of care across the entire ecosystem and support the safe movement of people from the hospital back into the home.”

For additional information on how you can implement CareConvene in your practice, please visit careconvene.com or reach out to todd@careconvene.com. Executive team members and subject matter experts are available for interviews upon request.

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About CareConvene
CareConvene is a comprehensive digital health platform that connects patients and providers on-demand anywhere through text and video. Our technology allows providers, payers, and patients access to one personal health record for in-the-moment care coordination, education, to-dos, and direct communication that better manages health, reduces waste, and saves time. https://careconvene.com/

About Premier Health Network
Premier Health Network (PHN) is a physician owned clinically integrated health network of 523 providers including 9 ancillary facilities serving the Central Savannah River Area and surrounding counties. PHN was licensed as a corporation in 1993 under the name University Physicians Associates. PHN changed its name in January 2021 to reflect its mission as a completely independent practice organization focused solely on helping its physician practices and outpatient facilities succeed in the changing value-based care environment. It offers a multitude of important services to its provider members as listed below which in turn helps better serve the CSRA community. https://premierhn.net/

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 wwww.velatura.org

 

Angie Bass Named Healthcare IT Trailblazer of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

For additional information, contact:

Emily Mata | Director of Public Relations & Brand Strategy

517.745.8835 |emily.mata@mihin.org

 

Angie Bass Named Healthcare IT Trailblazer of the Year

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.

Angie Bass, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Velatura, Elected to Serve on Civitas Networks for Health 2023 Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information, contact:
Emily Mata | Communications Manager
517.745.8835 | emily.mata@velatura.org

Angie Bass, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Velatura, Elected to Serve on Civitas Networks for Health 2023 Board of Directors

Twelve innovative healthcare leaders from both the public, private sector have been elected

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  This week during its monthly all-member meeting, Civitas Networks for Health (Civitas) announced its newly-elected slate of 2023 Board members, including Velatura’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Angie Bass, MHA.

“I am honored and humbled to serve alongside such an outstanding group of dedicated industry leaders on the 2023 Civitas Board of Directors,” said Bass. “I am even more grateful for the opportunity to represent the collective voice of the entire Civitas membership – which together represents more than 95% of the United States – and do so with an unwavering belief in the momentum we have generated by increasing the exchange of valuable resources, tools, and ideas. I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members to shape the future of the national network by amplifying the voices of member organizations, leveraging actionable data to foster continued innovation, and facilitating the evolution of health information exchange.” … Learn more>

Civitas Networks for Health Selects Velatura Public Benefit Corporation as a Technology Solution Partner for the Patient Centered Data Home® Initiative

For additional information, contact:

Velatura Public Benefit Corporation
Emily Mata | 517.745.8835
emily.mata@velatura.org

Civitas Networks for Health
Jolie Ritzo | 207.491.9979
jritzo@civitasforhealth.org

August 22, 2022

Civitas Networks for Health Selects Velatura Public Benefit Corporation as a Technology Solution Partner for the Patient Centered Data Home® Initiative

Newly formed partnership elevates the role of HIEs in interstate data exchange, creates new opportunities for national exchange

SAN ANTONIO, Texas— At its annual conference, Civitas Networks for Health (Civitas) and the Patient Centered Data Home® (PCDH) Governance Council today announced that they have identified Velatura Public Benefit Corporation (Velatura) as the national technology Solution Partner to support a consolidated national PCDH initiative, after a robust evaluation process in the first half of this year. PCDH is a major collaboration of 45+ health information exchanges delivering critical alerts to providers for millions of clinical encounters each month. The continued growth of PCDH will further advance important regional and nationwide interoperability progress. Building on the initiative’s success to date, the Civitas and PCDH Governance Council engagement with Velatura will further PCDH goals to ensure that the robust data exchange among Civitas members continues to close the loop on care when a patient is seen outside their normal care area.

“Civitas and the PCDH Governance Council are committed to collaboration and to positioning all Civitas members for future success,” said Lisa Bari, CEO of Civitas. “After careful consideration, we have identified Velatura to deploy a new centralized technology platform for the national PCDH network. Velatura brings longstanding commitment to PCDH and the HIE space alongside technology and boots-on-the-ground experience. We believe their cloud-native technology platform will enable us to transition current functionality swiftly while positioning ourselves for emerging market opportunities, all while honoring the critical role HIEs play in linking existing communities of trust and preserving local governance.”… Learn more>

 

Velatura Services Selected for Amazon Web Services (AWS) Health Equity Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2022

For additional information, contact:
Emily Mata | Marketing & Communications Manager
517.745.8835 | emily.mata@velatura.org

Velatura Services Selected for Amazon Web Services (AWS) Health Equity Initiative

Participation in the initiative will enhance Velatura’s efforts to provide essential data management infrastructure, advance data exchange, improve well-being, and reduce disparities

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Velatura Services (Velatura) today announced that it has been selected as part of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Health Equity Initiative, a $40 million, three-year commitment supporting organizations that are developing solutions to advance health equity.

Through the initiative, AWS offers computing credits and customized technical expertise to selected organizations around the world that want to use AWS services to improve health outcomes and health equity in any of the following areas: 1) increasing access to health services for underserved communities; 2) addressing social determinants of health; and 3) leveraging data to promote more equitable and inclusive systems of care. AWS credits and technical expertise will further support Velatura’s mission to help both public and private sector organizations streamline and scale the secure exchange of clinical, administrative, and person-level data across organizational boundaries and local communities… Learn more>