RICHARD E. CHAPMAN APPOINTED TO SERVE ON NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY COMMITTEE
Louisville, KY (May 8, 2009) – Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the “Company” or “Kindred”) (NYSE:KND) today announced that Richard E. Chapman, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative and Information Officer, was appointed to serve on the Health Information Technology Policy Committee (the “Committee”) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mr. Chapman was appointed to the Committee by U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY).
The Health Information Technology Policy Committee is a new federal advisory body established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide “recommendations on standards, implementation specifications, and certifications criteria in eight specific areas.” The 20-member Committee will make recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on creating a policy framework for the development and adoption of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure, including standards for the exchange of patient medical information.
Mr. Chapman has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative and Information Officer since February 2005. He joined the Company in October 1997 as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Prior to joining Kindred Healthcare, Mr. Chapman served as the Chief Information Officer for Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation and has extensive experience in the implementation of electronic medical records systems.
“I am honored that I was asked to serve on this Committee and I look forward to working with the other Committee members to create standards which will ultimately lead to better healthcare for all Americans,” Mr. Chapman said. “Through our membership in industry trade organizations representing the spectrum of the healthcare continuum, Kindred has long been an advocate of the importance of health information technology in long-term and post-acute care.” Kindred is a member of the American Hospital Association, American Health Care Association, Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, Acute Long Term Hospital Association and Federation of American Hospitals.
“We’re proud and pleased that Rick will be involved in the discussions to advance healthcare information technology to help improve America’s healthcare delivery system with his broad understanding of both acute and post-acute care,” said Paul J. Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “Rick has helped build a world-class Information Technology department at Kindred, which has provided us with the information necessary to help Kindred become the largest and most diversified post-acute provider in the nation.”
About Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Healthcare, Inc. is a healthcare services company, based in Louisville,
Kentucky, with annual revenues of over $4 billion and approximately 54,800
employees in 40 states. At March 31, 2009, Kindred through its subsidiaries
provided healthcare services in 661 locations, including 82 long-term
acute care hospitals, 228 skilled nursing centers and a contract rehabilitation
services business, Peoplefirst rehabilitation services, which
served 351 non-affiliated facilities. Ranked first in Fortune
magazine’s Most Admired Companies “Health
Care: Medical Facilities” category, Kindred’s mission is to
promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for
each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder
we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com.
CONTACT:
Susan E. Moss
Vice President, Communications
(502) 596-7296
