HL7 Da Vinci Project Recognizes Health IT Experts as 'Community Champions'

The Health Level Seven International (HL7) Da Vinci Project has named eight health IT experts its 2021 Da Vinci Community Champions.

The individuals represent the diverse membership of the HL7 Da Vinci Project, a collaborative multi-stakeholder effort comprised of health plans, hospital systems, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and health IT vendors.

As an HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) accelerator, the Da Vinci Project is working to accelerate interoperability standards to support value-based care, reduce clinician burden, and streamline clinical workflows.

Last year, the Da Vinci Project leadership created the Community Champions Program to recognize and celebrate the problem solvers advancing interoperability across the industry.

The Community Champion Program puts a spotlight on individuals who display the unique traits of "industry above self, a passion for making the healthcare system work better, supporting others, and promoting change."

The HL7 Da Vinci Project's 2021 Community Champions are:

• Dave DeGandi, Senior Interoperability Strategist, Cambia Health Solutions
• Rajesh "Raj" Godavarthi, Associate Vice President of Technology and Interoperability, MCG Health
• Heather Kennedy, Principal Interoperability Architect, Humana
• Heidi Kriz, Assistant Director Medical Policy, Regence
• Alice O'Carroll, Interoperability Product Manager, Florida Blue/GuideWell
• Semira Singh, Director, Population Health Informatics, Providence
• Jason Teeple, Enterprise Architect, Evernorth
• Brent Zenobia, Chief Strategist, Novillus

"On behalf of the HL7 Da Vinci Project, our Steering Committee, and members, we are delighted to recognize our 2021 Da Vinci Community Champions," said Kirk Anderson, HL7 Da Vinci Project Steering Committee member. "The important work of our FHIR accelerator is powered by people dedicated to solving today's interoperability challenges."

"Each individual was nominated by their peers based upon their daily applied effort, exemplary achievements and unique contributions to the Da Vinci Project in 2021," Anderson, who also serves as vice president and chief technology officer at Cambia Health Solutions, added. "The growth and advancement of the industry standards, the expansion of FHIR community between payers and providers, and individuals like these champions are fueling the industry towards true interoperability."