Kaiser Permanente, a major health and hospital system based in California, has appointed its first-ever chief digital officer. Prat Vemana will assume the role August 12.
He will lead Kaiser’s digital strategy and digital vision alongside the organization’s health plan, hospital and medical group teams.
Kaiser’s appointment follows a recent trend among major health systems of creating the chief digital officer role. Mount Sinai, another major health system, created the role for its operations in May.
In his new role, Vemana will report to Executive Vice President and CIO Dick Daniels and Chairman and CEO Bernard Tyson. Vemana currently serves as chief product and experience officer at The Home Depot and has previously led executive roles at Staples and Informed Clinical Sciences Corporation.
"We've made tremendous investments in building our digital platforms and creating greater access for our members. Now we are taking it to the next level by focusing on digital experiences that change the way transactions and services are delivered," Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO Bernard J. Tyson, said in a statement. "Prat is the perfect choice to help lead and guide the future of our digital health and wellness ecosystem that will provide our members with meaningful experiences and empower them to live more healthy years."
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."