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In December, I had the opportunity to interview Salim Kizaraly, Founder, Senior Vice President, Stella Technology. During our talk, I learned how Stella Technology’s interoperability services enable healthcare organizations to better communicate, collaborate and share clinical information.
To kick off our “Countdown to HIMSS’16” series, I approached Dr. Lin Wan, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Stella Technology (HIMSS Booth #11954-46) to learn more about her company’s work and her career in the area of interoperability.
Dr. Wan was born in China and received her Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University. She participated in the formation of both Healtheway and Direct, co-founded leading health information exchange (HIE) pioneer Axolotl, and after Axolotl’s purchase by Optum, co-founded Stella Technology
(Editor’s note: To hear audio excerpts of this interview, click on the media player buttons that run throughout this article.)
Stevens: Healthcare Information Technology Standard (HITSP) Chair Dr. John Halamka recently said, “Interoperability doesn’t happen when standards are named” (HIE Watch, 7/9/15), but he none the less is a strong supporter of interoperability standards. Stella built the Interoperability Testing Tool (ITT) used by HIMSS’ new ConCert vendor interoperability certification program. Why do you think standards are important?
Wan:
Stevens: You helped develop the infrastructure underlying the largest interconnectivity project in the United States, SHIN-NY, which will link all of New York State’s eight regional health information organizations (RHIOs). Why is SHIN-NY important beyond the borders of New York State, and what factors brought success to this large, lengthy and complex project?
Wan:
Stevens: You also helped develop Stella’s new product, IQHD, along with Buffalo HIE HealtheLink IQHD. What and from whom was the demand for the product, and how do you see it changing health information exchange?
Wan:
Stevens: ONC released its Interoperability Roadmap earlier this year, and there seems to be a tremendous and growing momentum for HIT interoperability, what developments or innovations do you see coming as a result in the next year?
Wan:
Stevens: With our shift to value-based care, many believe patients will begin to have tremendous influence over how interoperability will be achieved. How do you see patients making these impacts in the near future, and should we be concerned about the cloud of mystic that has surrounded interoperability for so long?
Wan:
Stevens: Beyond HIE and interoperability, Stella is active in other areas of HIT, and is looking to expand its efforts abroad. What do you see as the next “Big Thing” in HIT?
Wan: