Richard Correll, co-founder and former president and CEO of CHIME, announced he is retiring after 23 years of service.
Correll, who has served as the organization’s COO and senior strategic advisor since April 2013, will step down at the end of this month. He is credited with championing the emergence of the CIO role in healthcare.
“My years serving CHIME have been a privilege and the most rewarding of my career,” said Correll. “With the indispensable support of our members, board and staff, the organization has become a recognized leader and advocate for the CIO role and the effective use of information management to improve patient care quality and safety.
Correll was part of a group of healthcare and vendor executives who formed CHIME in 1992, enlisting 192 charter members in the first year. While serving on the HIMSS board in the 1980s, Correll identified the need for a professional organization dedicated to the development of the emerging top healthcare IT executives taking on the new title of CIO. Today, CHIME has more than 1,500 members and 150 Foundation firm supporters.
“Our ability to utilize information technology to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care has been significantly furthered because of the efforts of Rich Correll,” said John Glaser, senior VP of Cerner. “Rich’s creation and leadership of CHIME have led to major advances in the knowledge, skills and capabilities of the healthcare IT leadership community. His legacy is substantial; we all have been shaped his work.”
Correll spearheaded the creation of the CHIME Foundation in 1994 along with Glaser, and helped develop several key programs, including the Fall CIO Forum.
He began his career in healthcare in 1973 at El Camino Hospital working under the leadership of John E. Gall Jr. in the implementation of the world’s first hospital-wide medical information system. He went on to become Corporate Director of Management Systems at Harper-Grace Hospitals in Detroit and President of California Health Management Systems in California. He later became the inaugural President of the Center for Healthcare Information Management, established within the AHA in 1986 to invest funds donated by vendors and consultants in the growth of HIMSS.
“Rich’s contributions and accomplishments throughout his entire career have been instrumental in establishing IT leadership in the healthcare industry,” said Branzell, president and CEO of CHIME. “I’ve known Rich and have been involved with CHIME for over 17 years, and his vision and guidance have shaped the careers of countless industry CIOs. His presence will be greatly missed.”
Bill Spooner, long-time CHIME member, past board chair, and retired CIO of San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare, said Correll’s leadership of CHIME “has advanced our profession immensely over these 23 years.” He added, “I am especially grateful for the guidance and partnership he offered during my time on the CHIME board, while I served as chair, and in the years since.”
Over his 45-year career, Correll has received numerous professional recognitions, including the 50 in 50 award from HIMSS, as well as awards of recognition from the CHIME Board for his leadership. He is a past member of the HIMSS Board of Directors (1985-1992) and a Life Fellow member of HIMSS.
“I speak not only for the board, but for all CIOs, when I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for Rich’s vision, guidance and stewardship,” said CHIME Board of Trustees Chair Charles E. Christian, Vice President of Technology and Engagement for the Indiana Health Information Exchange. “Rich has led CHIME with an unwavering passion and commitment to the healthcare CIO role. We are all better for his contributions and friendship.”
A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Correll earned an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Business Administrative from Wayne State University. He said he looks forward to spending more time with his wife Wendy and two daughters, as expanding his humanitarian activities through community service. He added, that “with the current volunteer leadership by the board, supported by a great staff, the organization is progressing into a number of new areas that will be of great value to members of CHIME and the CHIME Foundation alike.”
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