American Academy of Family Physicians Names Jason Mitchell, M.D., Assistant Director of Center for Health Information Technology

LEAWOOD, Kan. – The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has named Jason Mitchell, M.D., as assistant director of its Center for Health Information Technology (CHiT). He succeeds Steven Waldren, M.D., M.S., to assume the role of assistant director. Waldren was promoted to director of the Center in October 2006.

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

“We are delighted to appoint Dr. Mitchell as assistant director of our Center for Health Information Technology,” said Douglas E. Henley, M.D., AAFP executive vice president. “His expertise in the area of medical informatics and his experience as a practicing family physician give him the extensive clinical and technological knowledge to help lead the Center in its mission and to extend the services it provides to our members.”

Prior to being named assistant director of the AAFP’s CHiT, Mitchell practiced medicine as a full-time family physician with the SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group. During that time, he also served as chief of staff-elect for SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, Mo., and for SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis, Mo. In this role, he worked with the hospital presidents to direct policy and manage budgetary and staff issues. Mitchell also served as chairperson of the hospitals’ performance improvement council, served on the medical informatics committee, and served as chairperson of the Department of Family Medicine. Additionally, he served on the Physician Leadership Council for the SSM St. Louis Network and on the membership committee for the SSM St. Charles Clinic Medical Group.

Mitchell’s previous and continuing clinical experience has helped him develop expertise in inpatient and outpatient practice workflow and redesign issues, physician engagement and change management, and physician leadership.

Mitchell helped found mPOWER Medical Informatics, LLC, in 2004. As chief technology officer, he developed computer applications that use state-of-the-art, Web-based technologies to maximize efficiency and accuracy in communication, billing, submitting insurance claims and enhancing overall clinical care.

Mitchell has demonstrated strong technical skills and a broad understanding of the role of information technology in the future of family medicine. With his skill in software design and implementation, Mitchell works to bridge the primary care-health information technology (HIT) chasm. The HIT industry includes companies that develop computer software for electronic health records. He has gained valuable experience interfacing with both practicing physicians and HIT professionals.

“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,” Mitchell said. “I will work to make the Center a trusted and unbiased resource for doctors throughout America.”

Mitchell is a member of the AAFP, the American Medical Association, the Missouri State Medical Association and Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity. He is a board-certified family physician. Mitchell graduated with honors from medical school and then completed his family medicine residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the same university.