TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Karl Hempel, M.D. of Tallahassee Primary Care Associates (TPCA) was recognized today by The Center for the Advancement of Health IT (AHIT) for his leadership in the nationwide transition from paper based patient medical records to Electronic Health Records (EHRs).  AHIT is the Regional Extension Center designated by the Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator to assist clinicians in northern and southwestern Florida with becoming meaningful users of EHRs.  Today, AHIT is pleased to welcome Dr. Hempel into an exclusive group of leaders – the Meaningful Use Vanguard (MUV).  Dr. Hempel and TPCA are among the first healthcare providers in northern Florida to adopt this technology.

MUV is a national program that is designed to honor clinicians like Dr. Hempel who have successfully implemented EHRs.  MUVers (members of the MUV program) serve as local leaders and advisors in the nation's transition toward an electronically-enabled health care system.

EHR technology is a critical component of an interconnected patient-centric system of care where patients, physicians, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, payers and others securely share data to reduce inefficiencies and improve the quality of patient care.

"This MUVment Ceremony is an opportunity to showcase the most dramatic transformation of our healthcare system in decades," says Diane Gaddis, president and CEO of Community Health Centers Alliance, which operates the AHIT Regional Extension Center.

According to Dr. Hempel, "Technology is improving health care dramatically by giving physicians immediate access to more information so they can make better decisions about managing patient care."

Over 5,000 primary care providers in Florida, and over 100,000 providers nationwide, have made the commitment to adopt and use electronic health records (EHRs) in a meaningful way. 

To find out more about how to receive complimentary EHR adoption and Meaningful Use guidance and services, healthcare providers can contact AHIT at info@AdvanceHealthIT.org or visit www.AdvanceHealthIT.org.

About AHIT
AHIT was designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as having the knowledge and experience necessary to support health care providers on EHR adoption and meaningful use.  AHIT is a program of Community Health Centers Alliance, Inc. (CHCA), a member-supported 501(c)(3) serving not-for-profit healthcare providers. CHCA has over a decade of experience in implementing and managing health information technology solutions, including EHRs. 

CHCA wishes to acknowledge support from the Office of the National Coordinator, Department of Health and Human Services, Award #90RC0051/01.

SOURCE The Center for the Advancement of Health IT

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