Who We Are

The Alaska Electronic Health Record Alliance, Inc. was organized in January of 2005. The Board of Directors consists of community members, physicians, and representatives from insurance companies, Premera Blue Cross and Aetna, and medical associations including the Alaska Physicians and Surgeons, the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Physicians, and the Alaska State Medical Association.

What We Want To Do

The group was formed to support the development of affordable, interoperable electronic health records for non-public sector healthcare providers in Alaska. This network will tie together diverse practices, hospitals, and decision support systems to improve clinical practices within the state of Alaska. The Goals of the Alliance are to assist physicians and mid-level providers in incorporating EHRs into their clinical practices by providing support, information, and resources. The ultimate vision includes developing an interoperable network of EHRs for providers in Alaska with the ability to connect to a nationwide, interoperable network. The Alliance is working to obtain funding for the capacity to assist providers by providing support and assistance with the following:

  • Vendor Selection
  • Office Redesign
  • Training
  • Financial Support

What We've Done

Activities through 2009 include the following; some activities are ongoing:

  • Strategic Business Plan written 2006, Updated 2009
  • Assisted in developing national and Alaska privacy/security standards for EHR exchange
    • Member of Alaska's team, under direction of Alaska eHealth Network, with 40 states in national Health Information Privacy & Security Collaborative (HISPC)
  • Ongoing collaboration with Alaska eHealth Network for adoption and exchange of EHRs statewide:
    • Supported 2008 Legislative Bill (SB133) to establish statewide health information exchange system
    • Prepared a comprehensive Marketing/Communications Plan.
    • Produced video of EHR supporters; quarterly provider newsletter; press kit & publicity; website links; displays at medical association meetings
  • EHR Provider Education
    • Sponsored EHR workshops
    • 2009 Alaska EHR/HIT Workshop (Steering Committee member); sponsored EHR demonstrations
  • Directed 2009 Statewide EHR Survey of Physicians/ Clinic Managers
  • Directed EHR Selection Project — Recommended EHRs are e-MDs & Greenway
    • 8-month, due diligence process to select two recommended EHRs for Alaska providers. National consultant and statewide task force guided the selection process. Held demonstrations of 5 finalist EHRs for providers/ managers statewide to evaluate. Obtained preferred contract and pricing for Alaska providers.

The board defined the project, established its governance with a working board of directors, incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Alaska, and applied for funding. We have secured grants from the Alaska Telehealth Advisory Council administered by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Providence Health System Alaska, and the State of Alaska through the Alaska eHealth Network. We have also received generous donations from the Alaska Physicians and Surgeons, the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Physicians, The Alaska State Medical Association, the Larry Carr Foundation, First Choice Health, Rasmuson Foundation through the Alaska eHealth Network, and the Alaska Cardiovascular Research Endowment Fund.

Business Plan

Providence Health System Alaska generously provided the funding for
development of our business plan, and we hired a healthcare IT consulting
firm to assist us (ACS-Healthcare Solutions). The strategy and business plan
provide a guide for accomplishing our goals and are being used to persuade
other organizations to help fund the project. The Plan has been revised in
2009 and is is available by clicking here. It is summarized in Next Steps.

Funding Support

We are grateful for grants from the Alaska Telehealth Advisory Council, administered by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Providence Health System Alaska; the Alaska eHealth Network, with grants from the State of Alaska and the Rasmuson Foundation. We have also received generous donations from Alaska Physicians and Surgeons, the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Physicians, The Alaska State Medical Association, the Larry Carr Foundation, First Choice Health, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, and the Alaska Cardiovascular Research Endowment Fund.