Shewry Set To Take the Helm of New California Telehealth Center
Outgoing Department of Health Care Services Director Sandra Shewry will head a new multimillion dollar California telehealth center that was announced on Monday, the Sacramento Business Journal reports (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 12/15).
The California Center for Connected Health aims to connect stakeholders --Â including state agencies, health care provider groups and public and private sector organizations --Â to establish a strategy and plan for a sustainable telehealth model in California at a time when millions of dollars in state and federal funds are available for telehealth projects in the state (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 12/15).
For example, the Federal Communications Commission has awarded $30 million for broadband initiatives in California, and Proposition 1D provides $200 million for efforts to expand telehealth and medical education through the University of California (Sacramento Business Journal, 12/15).
CCCH Funding
The California HealthCare Foundation is providing $5.5 million in initial financing for the center and to start a specialty access project.
In addition, the California Endowment is pursuing a grant to help start the effort.
Leadership
Shewry will take her position as president and CEO of CCCH on Jan. 1 (Healthcare IT News, 12/15). Her last day at DHCS is scheduled to be Dec. 19 (California Healthline, 11/24).
Thomas Nesbitt, executive associate dean of the UC-Davis School of Medicine, will serve as CCCH's part-time executive director of telehealth services (Robinson, Government Health IT, 12/15).
CHCF publishes California Healthline. This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.