Skip to main content

CHIME names new CEO

Branzell sees a "critical time for CHIME to advance its leadership role"
By Mike Miliard , Executive Editor

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) announced late Tuesday that its board has selected Colorado Health Medical Group's Russell P. Branzell to serve as its new president and chief executive officer.

Branzell, is currently the CEO of the medical group, which is a division of University of Colorado Health. He will begin his new role with CHIME, effective April 5.

"Following a comprehensive search, the Board is fortunate to have found someone of Russ' competency and experience to guide our organization successfully into the future," said CHIME Board Chairman George T. Hickman, executive vice president and CIO at Albany Medical Center, in a statement.

 "As a respected IT executive who possesses deep industry knowledge, Russ will continue CHIME's successful legacy of achievements and assure CHIME's position as the association leading the national transformation of health IT," Hickman, who headed the search committee, added.

Branzell will work in concert with CHIME's current president and CEO Richard A. Correll, who will become the organization's chief operating officer, officials said.

"Rich's contributions and accomplishments over these past 20 years has well positioned CHIME for many successful years into our future, while helping to shape the careers of many of our industry's CIOs," said Hickman.

This past November, CHIME announced it would create a new strategic leadership role to serve as ambassador for CHIME, the CHIME Foundation and the CHIME Education Foundation, someone who would advance its mission, improve its organizational strength and continue its policy leadership presence in Washington.

"I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization during a rapidly evolving and exciting time in our industry," said Branzell in a statement. "I've been deeply involved with CHIME for over 15 years and have watched it become a leading source of trusted information and expertise in healthcare."

Prior to his role at Colorado Health Medical Group, Branzell was the vice president of information services and CIO for Colorado's Poudre Valley Health System (PVHS) and the president and CEO of Innovation Enterprises, PVHS' for-profit IS entity.

"This is a critical time for CHIME to advance its leadership role," he said. "We can truly help the industry make informed decisions about deploying healthcare IT, and help the industry adapt to new pressures for reform, improved efficiency and heightened patient safety."