American Academy of Family Physicians Names Steven Waldren Director of Center for Health Information Technology

LEAWOOD, Kan. – The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has named Steven E. Waldren, M.D., M.S., as director of its Center for Health Information Technology (CHiT). Since May 2004, Waldren has served as the assistant director of the CHiT. He will succeed David C. Kibbe, M.D., to assume the role of director on Oct. 1, 2006. Kibbe will continue working half time as a senior advisor working on special projects.

The Center for Health Information Technology, based at the AAFP headquarters in Leawood, Kan., promotes and facilitates the adoption and use of health information technology by AAFP members and other office-based clinicians.

“We are delighted to promote Dr. Waldren to direct our Center for Health Information Technology. His expertise in the area of health informatics and his experience as a practicing family physician give him just the right perspective as we continue to embrace electronic health records and encourage all physicians to implement them,” said Douglas E. Henley, M.D., AAFP executive vice president.

Waldren has demonstrated strong technical skills and a broad understanding of the role of information technology in the future of family medicine. His knowledge of design and management of health information systems, programming, software and medical informatics make him a valuable thought leader at the AAFP Center for Health Information Technology and in the overall health information technology (HIT) industry. The HIT industry includes companies that develop computer software for electronic health records.

Waldren’s expertise has branded him as a well-known expert in the field of HIT. Several outside organizations have requested his service on their advisory boards, committees and coalitions. Waldren currently serves as co-chair of the Ambulatory Functionality Working Group of the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology. He also serves as co-chair of ASTM’s Continuity of Care Record Technical Committee and as secretary of the Physicians Electronic Health Record (EHR) Coalition.

“Patients across the country will benefit from improved quality of care, enhanced safety and increased practice efficiency through their physician’s use of health information technology,” Waldren said. “I will work hard to make the Center the trusted and unbiased resource for doctors throughout America.”

Waldren is a board-certified family physician. He received a master’s degree in health care informatics in May 2004 from the University of Missouri-Columbia while completing a National Library of Medicine Postdoctoral Medical Informatics Fellowship. Waldren completed his family medicine residency at Wesley Family Practice in Wichita, Kan. Immediately prior, he earned a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kan. Waldren earned a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan.