Jolie Ritzo, Senior Director of Network Engagement 

Civitas Networks for Health 

207-491-9979

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 

Washington, DC — Today at Civitas Networks for Health’s monthly all-member meeting, CEO Lisa Bari announced the elected 2023 Board of Directors. The 2023 Board will be comprised of twelve strategic, innovative, and pragmatic thinkers leading Civitas full member organizations from across the national network. These leaders bring a diverse set of individual experiences and expertise, and represent different types of Civitas member organizations, including Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives and regional and statewide health information exchange organizations.   

• Beth Anderson, President & CEO, Vermont Information Technology Leaders 
• Angie Bass, Chief Strategy Officer, MiHIN/Velatura 
• Marc Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, Comagine Health 
• Jaime Bland, Chief Executive Officer, CyncHealth 

• Tom Evans, President & CEO, Iowa Healthcare Collaborative 
• Jenelle Hoseus, Chief of Policy and Partnerships, Health Impact Ohio, Chief Executive Officer, Central Ohio Pathways HUB
• John Kansky, President & CEO, Indiana Health Information Exchange 
• David Kendrick, Chief Executive Officer, MyHealth Access Network 
• Melissa Kotrys, Chief Executive Officer, Contexture 

• Cindy Munn, Chief Executive Officer, Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum 
• Wade Norwood, Chief Executive Officer, Common Ground Health 
• Dan Porreca, Executive Director, HEALTHeLINK 

When Civitas launched in October of 2021 as a result of the formal affiliation of the Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement and the Strategic Health Information Exchange Collaborative, the Transition Board was tasked with selecting a Nominating Committee to slate a new representative Board for 2023. The Committee held regular meetings and a rigorous board election process to select a slate of candidates for the Board which was ultimately selected by the vote of all full and affiliate members.  

Civitas Networks for Health recently held their first hybrid Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The event attracted over 800 attendees across in-person and virtual attendees and was focused on advancing health equity through data-led collaboratives and health information exchange. Notable keynote speakers included Rishi Manchanda, MD, MPH, CEO of HealthBegins, Cara James, PhD, President and CEO of Grantmakers in Health, Dora Hughes, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of the CMS Innovation Center at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Steve Posnack, Deputy National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health. Civitas will soon announce plans for its 2nd Annual Conference which will be held in Maryland in summer 2023.  

Current Civitas Networks for Health Board Chair and CEO of Contexture, Melissa Kotrys, shared, “We have achieved great things in our first year as a new organization! I am honored to continue serving on the Civitas Board in 2023 alongside talented leaders and colleagues who are furthering regional innovation while also contributing to the success of our national network of Civitas members.”  

“I am eager to work with such a committed and talented group of leaders as we continue to realize the vision of Civitas and bring shape to the opportunities ahead,” notes Civitas CEO Lisa Bari. 

Civitas appreciates the current Civitas Board members for their contributions and leadership during the organization’s foundational year and congratulates new 2023 Board members! 

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About Civitas Networks for Health 

Civitas Networks for Health is a national collaborative comprised of member organizations working to use health information exchange, health data, and multi-stakeholder, cross-sector approaches to improve health. Civitas was previously known as the Strategic Health Information Exchange Collaborative and the Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement, and today represents more than 180 local health innovators from across the US, moving data to improve health outcomes for more than 95% of the U.S. population. Civitas educates, promotes, and influences both the private sector and policy makers on matters of interoperability, quality, coordination, health equity, and cost-effectiveness of health care. Working with health innovators at state and local levels, Civitas facilitate the exchange of valuable resources, tools, and ideas—and offer a national perspective on upcoming standards and regulations, emerging technologies, and best practices. For more information, visit https://www.civitasforhealth.org/