Longtime healthcare leader steps into CEO role to propel the company's next phase of innovation and transformation in Healthcare IT
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ELLKAY, a leading strategic data management partner in healthcare, announces that Ajay Kapare has been appointed as the company's new CEO. This transition marks a pivotal moment in ELLKAY's journey, reflecting its ongoing progression and commitment to innovation. Kamal Patel, Founder & former CEO, will remain involved with ELLKAY in an advisory role while dedicating more focus to his non-profit organization, the Kamal & Grishma Foundation.
A Natural Progression for ELLKAY
Since joining ELLKAY's leadership team in 2017, Ajay Kapare has been instrumental in shaping the company's strategy and vision. His appointment as President & CEO represents ELLKAY's continued expansion and impact on healthcare interoperability and data transformation.
"Seeing ELLKAY reach this milestone is truly exciting," said Kamal Patel, Founder of ELLKAY. "Ajay has been a driving force in our growth, bringing fresh perspective and bold ideas. As I transition to my next chapter in the non-profit world, I feel fulfilled knowing Ajay will do a phenomenal job as my successor. There's no one I trust more to lead us into the future. I'm proud of how far we've come and even more excited for what's ahead."
A Strategic Force Behind ELLKAY's Success
While serving as President & Chief Strategy Officer, Ajay Kapare's vision has been central to positioning ELLKAY as a trusted leader in interoperability and data-driven healthcare solutions.
"Ajay is the kind of leader who brings people together, challenges the status quo, and always puts the needs of the industry first," shared, Dr. John Halamka, President of Mayo Clinic Platform. "His passion and expertise make him the perfect choice to lead ELLKAY into its next chapter."
Ajay leads by example, embodying ELLKAY's core pillars of Relationships, Innovation, Agility, and Execution in every aspect of his leadership. His commitment to fostering strong partnerships, driving forward-thinking solutions, adapting to industry shifts, and delivering measurable results will ensure that ELLKAY remains a trusted, transformative force in healthcare.
Tressa Springmann, SVP & CIDO at LifeBridge Health, Chairman of the CHIME Board, commented on the announcement saying that, "Ajay's deep understanding of healthcare technology, paired with his ability to foster collaboration across the industry, makes him an exceptional leader for this moment. His strategic vision and passion for interoperability will undoubtedly drive meaningful advancements in how healthcare organizations connect and utilize data to improve patient care."
What's Ahead for ELLKAY
Dr. Zafar Chaudry, Chief Digital Officer & Chief AI and Information Officer at Seattle Children's added, "Ajay Kapare has forged an unshakeable bond of trust with healthcare leaders through his relentless dedication, strategic mastery, and a singular focus: empowering everyone with data. His leadership at ELLKAY is poised to ignite a transformative era for the industry."
ELLKAY continues to evolve as healthcare's trusted data management partner, investing in interoperability, data quality, and scalable cloud infrastructure to meet the industry's growing demands. By strengthening collaborations and accelerating innovation, ELLKAY enables healthcare organizations to securely access, integrate, and optimize their data for improved outcomes and long-term impact, ensuring organizations are equipped to navigate the complexities of an increasingly data-driven industry.
"I'm honored to lead ELLKAY into its next phase of growth and innovation," stated Ajay Kapare, President & CEO of ELLKAY. "For over 20 years, we have built trusted relationships with thousands of healthcare organizations—all with the shared goal of improving data fluidity to enhance care delivery. Most recently, we've expanded into international markets, furthering our mission of improving healthcare through seamless data connectivity. We see tremendous opportunities ahead to unlock the full potential of data, and we remain deeply committed to working alongside our customer-partners to shape the future of healthcare IT."
About ELLKAY
ELLKAY is a trusted enterprise data management partner, driving innovation and connectivity across the healthcare ecosystem. Since 2002, ELLKAY has empowered hospitals, laboratories, payers, healthcare IT vendors, and more with unmatched data management expertise. With connections to over 58,000 practices and interoperability with 750+ EHR/PM systems across 1,100+ versions, ELLKAY delivers solutions that streamline data exchange, fuel value-based care, and drive smarter decision making. Discover more at ELLKAY.com and connect with us on YouTube, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, or via [email protected].
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