Public health data expert will lead strategic operations and stakeholder engagement
COLUMBIA, Mo. – October 6, 2025 – Velatura Public Benefit Corporation today announced that Zach Kempf, MPH, has been appointed as Deputy Director for the Missouri market, where he will oversee strategic operations and stakeholder engagement for the health information exchange company.
Kempf joins Velatura after serving seven years with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, most recently as Chief for the Bureau of Data Modernization and Interoperability. He led the state’s public health data modernization efforts and managed COVID-19 response initiatives, including training programs for local health agencies and public vaccination dashboards.
At the state health department, Kempf oversaw Missouri’s Immunization Information System and Reportable Disease Surveillance System in addition to managing a team of informaticists responsible for enhancing and updating systems related to Maternal/Child Health, Cancer and Chronic Disease, and Environmental Surveillance. He coordinated with federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Department of Health and Human Services on data modernization initiatives.
“Zach brings exactly the combination of technical depth and operational leadership we need to advance health data interoperability in Missouri,” said Shelley Mannino, Executive Vice President of Velatura HIE Corporation. “His hands-on experience modernizing the state’s public health infrastructure,
combined with his established relationships across Missouri’s healthcare ecosystem, will be instrumental as we expand secure data sharing capabilities for providers and patients throughout the state.”
In his new role, Kempf will manage daily operations, develop governance frameworks and maintain relationships with healthcare organizations, providers and technology partners across Missouri. He will also oversee compliance with federal and state regulations, including HIPAA and emerging interoperability standards under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.
Kempf said joining Velatura allows him to build on his public health data modernization work at a larger scale. “Throughout my work with Missouri’s public health data systems, I’ve seen firsthand how fragmented information creates barriers to effective care delivery and population health management,” Kempf said. “What excites me about joining Velatura is the opportunity to break down these silos at scale: connecting rural hospitals with urban health systems, ensuring behavioral health providers can coordinate seamlessly with primary care, and giving our state’s healthcare leaders the real-time data insights they need to improve outcomes for Missouri families. This role represents the next evolution of the data modernization work we started at the state level, but now with the tools and network reach to truly transform how health information flows across our entire care ecosystem.”
Kempf’s expertise includes healthcare interoperability standards, data governance, and regulatory compliance frameworks. His experience managing complex public health programs and established relationships within Missouri’s healthcare community position him to advance Velatura’s interoperability initiatives statewide.
Kempf holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Policy from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the same institution.
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.