Ms. Sklar will focus on electronic records initiative for centers
PETALUMA – Redwood Community Health Network, a subsidiary of Redwood Community Health Coalition, has hired Lori Sklar as its new chief executive officer.
The hiring of Ms. Sklar comes as the health network and the coalition seek to more clearly define their respective roles, with the health network focused more specifically on overseeing or installing electronic health records at the numerous health centers around the North Bay, according to Nancy Oswald, chief executive officer of the coalition.
Ms. Sklar will oversee the health network, which was established about three years ago to house the electronic health records initiative.
“With health care reform, we needed to differentiate more clearly the core competencies between the two organizations,” Ms. Oswald said. The coalition “provides advocacy and education for members” and the network “provides technology services.”
Ms. Sklar most recently worked for Sutter Health, which she assisted with electronic health records implementation around the Bay Area.
“What she really wanted to do was apply her skills to the mission of our health centers and that’s an exciting thing to do,” Ms. Oswald said. “And we’re excited to have her.”
Among the members of the coalition and network are some of the North Bay’s largest community health centers, including Santa Rosa Community Health Centers, Petaluma Health Center and Marin Community Clinic. All told, there are 16 members of the health coalition and three affiliates.
The network has 10 member health centers. Out of those members, eight have already installed electronic health records, with the remaining two – Alexander Valley Regional Medical Center and St. Joseph Health System-Sonoma County Health Clinics and Programs – expected to be completed in the near future.
Members of both the coalition and network stretch from Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo counties.
