CT eHealth Podcast: Educating, Conversing & Connecting for Better Health

Episode 15: Digital Health Modernization with CMO of DSS

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. Bradley Richards, Chief Medical Officer at the Connecticut Department of Social Services, which is responsible for the Medicaid and CHIP services in the state. Dr. Richards oversees medical and clinical policy for the existing HUSKY Health programs and is involved in initiatives to improve the program to achieve better outcomes and reduce unnecessary costs. Tune in to hear how he would like to leverage Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange, to meet the needs of all Connecticut citizens for a healthier future. 

• Learn more about the Connecticut Department of Social Services

• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange

• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 14: Pediatric Patients’ Health Data with Connecticut Children’s CMIO

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. Richelle deMayo, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Connecticut Children's, one of only two freestanding children's hospitals in New England. Dr. deMayo provides a brief history of the organization and discusses how pediatric patients' health data needs differ from adults. Tune in to hear how her organization is leveraging Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange, to meet the needs of pediatric patients and what she hopes to see moving forward.

• Learn more about Connecticut Children's
• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange

• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 13: CMIO Discusses Cross-State Health Data Exchange

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. Albert Villarin, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Nuvance Health, a cross-state healthcare system, to discuss the importance of data access.  Tune in to hear how his organization is leveraging Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange, to move towards becoming an anti-fax paperless environment.

• Learn more about Nuvance Health

• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange.

• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 12: Connie, CT’s HIE celebrates 1 year anniversary

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta reflects on the first year of Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange (Connie) with Executive Director Jenn Searls and Senior Account Manager Lakeisha Moore. Jenn and Lakeisha discuss what Connie has accomplished since launching in May 2021, including milestones and achievements, and how they’re addressing challenges and misconceptions. Tune in to hear what is in store for Connie moving forward.

• Find out about Connie’s onboarding process and connected organizations

• Check out Connie’s Resource Library for valuable information
• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange

• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 11: Healthcare Informatics with Dr. Stephen Burrows

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta catches up with Dr. Stephen Burrows, Chair of Health Science and Leadership & Program Director of Healthcare Informatics in the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Burrows talks about the benefits of informatics in healthcare and how to leverage technology to improve individual health and the delivery of healthcare services. Tune in to hear how he thinks Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange, can provide substantial value to the training of future healthcare professionals.

• Find out about Healthcare Informatics & Administration programs offered at Sacred Heart University

• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange

• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 10: Provision of Primary Care: Past, Present & Future with Dr. Todd Staub

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta catches up with Dr. Todd Staub, past Chair of the ProHealth Physicians Board of Directors and current Senior VP of Physician Relations for Optum Care. Dr. Staub takes us on the journey of the founding ProHealth Physicians and what it took to unify independent practices from Connecticut, including their data and information, into a group practice model – then to become part of Optum to transform care at the national level. Tune in to hear how he thinks Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange, will bring independent practices and patients closer together by amplifying the vision that drove the formation of ProHealth Physicians.

• Find out about Optum in Connecticut
• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange
• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 9: Ditch the Disk: The Evolution of Image Sharing in CT with Dr. Alan Kaye

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. Alan Kaye, a retired radiologist and current Health IT Advisory Council and Health Care Cabinet member within the CT Office of Health Strategy. Dr. Kaye provides a brief history of image exchange and best practices as Connecticut moves toward the electronic exchange of radiology and other images. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the new Image Share service recently launched by Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange, and how it can benefit patients and providers alike. 

• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange

• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 8: Associate Dean Discusses the Use of Technology in Clinical Care and Education to Address SDOH

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. David Henderson, a family physician serving as Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Associate Dean of Multicultural Affairs at UConn Health. Dr. Henderson talks about how social determinants are the major drivers of health outcomes and how technology can be effectively used to track and address the impact of these issues and improve individual and population health. Tune in to hear how he thinks Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange, can play a vital role in integrating technology into clinical care and educating future clinicians and healthcare learners. 

• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange
• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 7: UConn Health CMIO Discusses the “5 Rights” to an Optimal Workflow

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta connects with UConn Health's Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO), Dr. Dirk Stanley, to discuss successful health information exchange elements. He discusses the importance of technology as part of the workflow integration process and the "5 Rights" needed to create a good workflow. Discover how he believes Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information, can address many challenges in healthcare and its potential to be further leveraged as a powerful resource for care coordination and the implications for UConn Health now that it has connected with Connie. Tune in to learn how health data interoperability alone isn't adequate without usable patient data for actionable care. 

• Read more about Dirk's CMIO Perspective on his blog
• Find out about Connie's Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) Initiative
• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange
• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money"

Episode 6: How a Health Information Technology Officer can Move CT Forward

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta is joined by Sumit Sajnani, the Health Information Technology Officer (HITO), and Connie Board of Directors Chair. Sumit graduated from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor's in Engineering and most recently was the Chief Information Officer at TechSolutions Intl. After previously managing IT initiatives at the Connecticut Department of Corrections, he returns to state service and is now helping move Connecticut's health information technology infrastructure forward. Tune in to find out more about his role and how the Five-Year Statewide Health IT Plan will improve the health of Connecticut citizens.   

• This podcast is brought to you by the UConn Health Interoperability, Innovation and Learning Lab and Connie, Connecticut's state-designated health information exchange.
• Music by Hugh Blumenfeld, "Mozart's Money."