The organization has been instrumental in advancing healthcare innovation and technology strategies, including EHR adoption and health equity.
An organization well-known for advancing healthcare innovation is shutting down after more than two decades.
Executives for Health Innovation (EHI), which launched in Washington DC in 2001 as the eHealth Initiative, is ending its run and will distribute its resources to other non-profits. Executives say the organization, created to promote the adoption of health technology, was responsible for gathering thousands of health and technology executives, advocating for federal incentives, providing grant funding to communities, and conducting meaningful research.
“Over the past 20 years, EHI has brought together stakeholders from across the health sector to share diverse perspectives, advance innovations to improve population health and build meaningful collaborations that are transforming healthcare delivery,” Amy McDonough, chair of the board of directors and managing director of Google's Fitbit division, said in a press release. “I’m so proud of what this community has achieved. While the work is not done, we are confident in the power of the partnerships we've built to sustain and carry our mission forward.”
“Healthcare connects a variety of players who don’t always like to play in the sandbox together,” added Jennifer Covich Bordenick, EHI's chief executive officer. “We helped people recognize that collaboration improves the experience for both patients and providers.”
She noted that when EHI formed, prescriptions were typically written out on paper, less than one in five providers was using electronic health records and telehealth " was something you saw in movies." Some 20 years later, roughly 94% of all prescriptions are electronic, EHR adoption is nearing 90%, and virtual care has become a standard of care.
The announcement drew comments of praise from several healthcare organizations and executives, including Micky Tripathi, the Health and Human Services Department's National Coordinator for Health Information technology.
“EHI's unique strength lies in its ability to bring together multi-stakeholders and competitors in health and technology, fostering a spirit of collaboration," he said in the press release. "This collaborative approach was instrumental in driving innovation, breaking down barriers, and accelerating progress in health technology. Their legacy is a group of collaborative leaders who will boldly propel us into the future.”
“EHI inspired and shaped healthcare by sharing real stories of how organizations can harness the power of technology for the betterment of patient care and well-being," added Roy Schoenberg, chief executive officer of telehealth company Amwell. “The true legacy of EHI is embodied in the countless individuals who participated in our mission, carrying forward the torch of innovation and driving positive change in healthcare.”
Eric Wicklund is the associate content manager and senior editor for Innovation at HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Executives for Health Innovation was launched in 2001 as the eHealth Initiative.
The non-profit's goal was to promote the adoption of healthcare technology and gather diverse stakeholders to support innovation.
Executives say the organization will wind down over the next few months and look to send its resources to other non-profits with similar philosophies.