UCONN Health Podcasts

The Connecticut eHealth podcast is a space where we get together with local and national experts, key stakeholders and other individuals in the space of eHealth to discuss health information in CT and around the country.

EPISODE 1

Introducing the Executive Director of Connie, Connecticut's Official Health Information Exchange

In the podcast’s debut episode, our very own Dr. Thomas Agresta gets together with Jenn Searls, Executive Director of Connecticut’s official state-designated Health Information Exchange (HIE), Connie. Jenn stops by to talk about her journey to becoming Connie’s Executive Director and the organization’s progress since it commenced operations on May 3rd, 2021. Tune in to hear more about Jenn’s vision for the future of Connie in leading Connecticut to better health.

EPISODE 2

An Internist's Perspective on Connie

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta gets together with Dr. Allen Davis, an internist in Western Connecticut with ProHealth Physicians and a sitting board member of Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange (HIE). Dr. Davis joins us to discuss physicians’ challenges in sharing health data and how an HIE could address these barriers. Tune in to hear about an internist’s perspective on the benefits an HIE can provide, as well as information about the onboarding process.

EPISODE 3

A Conversation with the Yale New Haven Health Chief Information Officer

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Lisa Stump, Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Yale New Haven Health (YNHH) and Connie Board Member. Lisa discusses how an HIE can impact population health and where YNHH is at in the Connie onboarding process. Tune in to hear more about this CIO and trained pharmacist’s perspective on the benefits an HIE can provide large healthcare systems

EPISODE 4

Meet the Executive Director of Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta gets together with Vicki Veltri, Executive Director of the Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (OHS). Vicki joins us to discuss the role of the OHS and how CT’s new statewide HIE (Connie) will aid the OHS to meet its mission and improve the health of Connecticut citizens. Tune in to hear more about how Connie can help state agencies and stakeholders get a clearer picture of care delivery, equity, quality, and spending in Connecticut.

EPISODE 5

Medication Reconciliation and Polypharmacy in Connecticut

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta dives into the current state of medication reconciliation and polypharmacy with Dr. Sean Jeffery, Clinical Professor at UConn School of Pharmacy, Geriatric Pharmacist and Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services at Integrated Care Partners, and Dr. Nitu Kashyap, Physician, Clinical Informaticist, and Associate CMIO at Yale New Haven Health (YNHH). They describe medication reconciliation and how Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, can implement their efforts completed under the Office of Health Strategy’s Medication Reconciliation and Polypharmacy Committee (MRPC).

EPISODE 6

How a Health Information Technology Officer can Move CT Forward

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta is joined by Sumit Sajnani, the Health Information Technology Officer (HITO), and Connie Board of Directors Chair. Sumit graduated from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor’s in Engineering and most recently was the Chief Information Officer at TechSolutions Intl. After previously managing IT initiatives at the Connecticut Department of Corrections, he returns to state service and is now helping move Connecticut’s health information technology infrastructure forward. Tune in to find out more about his role and how the Five-Year Statewide Health IT Plan will improve the health of Connecticut citizens.

EPISODE 7

UCONN Health CMIO Discusses the "5 Rights" to an Optimal Workflow

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta connects with UConn Health’s Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO), Dr. Dirk Stanley, to discuss successful health information exchange elements. He discusses the importance of technology as part of the workflow integration process and the “5 Rights” needed to create a good workflow. Discover how he believes Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information, can address many challenges in healthcare and its potential to be further leveraged as a powerful resource for care coordination and the implications for UConn Health now that it has connected with Connie. Tune in to learn how health data interoperability alone isn’t adequate without usable patient data for actionable care.

EPISODE 8

Associate Dean Discusses HIT in Primary Care & Education to Address SDOH

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. David Henderson, a family physician serving as Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Associate Dean of Multicultural Affairs at UConn Health. Dr. Henderson talks about how social determinants are the major drivers of health outcomes and how technology can be effectively used to track and address the impact of these issues and improve individual and population health. Tune in to hear how he thinks Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, can play a vital role in integrating technology into clinical care and educating future clinicians and healthcare learners.

EPISODE 9

Ditch the Disk: The Evolution of Image Sharing in CT with Dr. Alan Kaye

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agrestasits down with Dr. Alan Kaye, a retired radiologist and current Health IT Advisory Council and Health Care Cabinet member within the CT Office of Health Strategy. Dr. Kaye provides a brief history of image exchange and best practices as Connecticut moves towards the electronic exchange of radiology and other images. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the new Image Share service recently launched by Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, and how it can benefit patients and providers alike.

EPISODE 10

Provision of Primary Care: Past, Present & Future with Dr. Todd Staub

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta catches up with Dr. Todd Staub, past Chair of the ProHealth Physicians Board of Directors and current Senior VP of Physician Relations for Optum Care. Dr. Staub takes us through the journey of founding ProHealth Physicians and unifying the data and information of independent practices across Connecticut. Tune in to hear how he thinks Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, will bring independent practices and patients closer together by amplifying his vision when forming ProHealth Physicians.

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EPISODE 11

Healthcare Information with Dr. Stephen Burrows

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta catches up with Dr. Stephen Burrows, Chair of Health Science and Leadership & Program Director of Healthcare Informatics in the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Burrows talks about the benefits of informatics in healthcare and how to leverage technology to improve individual health and the delivery of healthcare services. Tune in to hear how he thinks Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, can provide substantial value to the training of future healthcare professionals.

EPISODE 12

Connie, CT’s HIE celebrates 1 year anniversary

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta reflects on the first year of Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange (Connie) with Executive Director Jenn Searls and Senior Account Manager Lakeisha Moore. Jenn and Lakeisha discuss what Connie has accomplished since launching in May 2021, including milestones and achievements, and how they’re addressing challenges and misconceptions. Tune in to hear what is in store for Connie moving forward.

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EPISODE 13

CMIO Discusses Cross-State Health Data Exchange

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. Albert Villarin, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Nuvance Health, a cross-state healthcare system, to discuss the importance of data access. Tune in to hear how his organization is leveraging Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, to move towards becoming an anti-fax paperless environment.

EPISODE 14

Pediatric Patients’ Health Data

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta sits down with Dr. Richelle deMayo, Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Connecticut Children’s, one of only two freestanding children’s hospitals in New England. Dr. deMayo provides a brief history of the organization and discusses how pediatric patients’ health data needs differ from adults. Tune in to hear how her organization is leveraging Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, to meet the needs of pediatric patients and what she hopes to see moving forward.

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EPISODE 15

Digital Health Modernization with CMO of DSS

In this episode, Dr. Thomas Agresta invites Dr. Bradley Richards, to join the conversation on health information exchange as the Chief Medical Officer at Connecticut Department of Social Services, which is responsible for the Medicaid and CHIP services in the state. Dr. Richards oversees medical and clinical policy for the existing HUSKY Health programs and is involved in initiatives to improve the program to achieve better outcomes and reduce unnecessary costs. Tune in to hear how he would like to leverage Connie, Connecticut’s state-designated health information exchange, to meet the needs of all Connecticut citizens for a healthier future.