BBRHIO - About

For the past several years, health information technology has been discussed in our community. Now with the issue as a national and statewide priority, the timing is right and thus the official formation of the Big Bend Regional Health Information Organization (BBRHIO). Dan Kaelin, M.D. of Vascular Surgery Associates serves as Chairman to the BBRHIO. Mark O'Bryant, CEO of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, and Sharon Roush, CEO of Capital Regional Medical Center both serve as Vice Chairs while Allen Byington of ElectroNet serves as interim executive director. Representatives from key community stakeholders make up the 17 Board of Directors that guide and provide governance for BBRHIO initiatives.

The BBRHIO is a 501.C3 not for profit Florida Corporation that leads the community charge to deliver an enhanced level of patient centered care. Surrounding rural communities will benefit from the improvements and efficiencies created by the BBRHIO efforts. As progress is made, patients will also be able to participate in the benefits of electronic health records.

The BBRHIO is anchored in Tallahassee, Florida and represents Leon and surrounding rural counties. The BBRHIO has partnered with the Rural Medicaid Coalition of North Florida to collaborate efforts. The two organizations submitted a joint grant proposal to the Governors Healthcare Information Infrastructure Advisory Board for funding in the 2006 - 2007 cycle. If grant funding is received, the BBRHIO and the RMCNF will work to integrate the needs and solutions of the rural and metropolitan areas.

BBRHIO initiatives involve every major component of our local healthcare system from physician's offices to HMO's to hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies. The BBRHIO will put Tallahassee ahead of the curve and on the map in the delivery of safer, more cost-effective healthcare, place our community at the head of the line for federal and state research dollars and make Tallahassee a model for other communities seeking to control the cost and improve the quality of local healthcare.