Statewide telehealth center established in California
The California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) has established the California Center for Connected Health (CCCH) to lead and coordinate telehealth adoption throughout the state.
The Sacramento-based organization will be led by Sandra Shewry, former director of the California Department of Health Care Services, who will become president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2009.
CHCF said it supports for telehealth is part of its mission to promote innovations in healthcare that can deliver affordable, high-quality care to more residents. A recent influx of funds into the state for telehealth initiatives created the need for an organization to coordinate efforts.
The CCCH will connect stakeholders, including state agencies, provider groups, as well as public and private sector organizations, to set the strategy and vision for a sustainable telehealth model in California, according to Shewry.
The CHCF will provide $5.5 million in initial financing to support CCCH operations and the launch of a specialty access project. She noted that CCCH will operate as a program of the Oakland-based Public Health Institute until it is incorporated as an independent California nonprofit and obtains tax-exempt status as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization.
The Sacramento-based organization will be led by Sandra Shewry, former director of the California Department of Health Care Services, who will become president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2009.
CHCF said it supports for telehealth is part of its mission to promote innovations in healthcare that can deliver affordable, high-quality care to more residents. A recent influx of funds into the state for telehealth initiatives created the need for an organization to coordinate efforts.
The CCCH will connect stakeholders, including state agencies, provider groups, as well as public and private sector organizations, to set the strategy and vision for a sustainable telehealth model in California, according to Shewry.
The CHCF will provide $5.5 million in initial financing to support CCCH operations and the launch of a specialty access project. She noted that CCCH will operate as a program of the Oakland-based Public Health Institute until it is incorporated as an independent California nonprofit and obtains tax-exempt status as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization.