William Winkenwerder Jr.

Dr. Winkenwerder was one of the first to call for electronic health records for all Americans…even before the emergence of the Internet. Years later, while serving at the US Department of Defense, he led the implementation of the largest electronic health record system in the world. He worked with The White House and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to accelerate government efforts toward the adoption of health IT.

The HITECH Act of 2009 passed by Congress provided more than $25 billion to promote the adoption of electronic records and health IT solutions that generate “meaningful use” of information to improve quality and reduce medical costs. Today, most physicians utilize electronic records. Yet, many systems are not interconnected, consumers still have limited control over their own personal health information, medical prices and quality information is not transparent, and proof of cost savings from health IT is lacking. What is it going to take to realize the promises of digital health care? How can we move faster? What are the barriers that must be overcome? When will we see real and sustainable benefits? Which organizations are leading the way and how are they doing it? Hear from Dr. Winkenwerder, an expert who has led change from the top, while working directly with many leading US health IT innovators and entrepreneurs.