RCHI’s Mechler appointed leader

(AUSTIN, TX) – Gov. Rick Perry has named Manfred Sternberg of Houston presiding officer of the Texas Health Services Authority for a term to expire June 15, 2009. He also appointed 11 members to the authority for terms to expire June 15, 2009, including Kathleen Mechler of the Texas A&M Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute.

The authority is a public-private corporation chartered by the Texas Legislature to improve patient safety and quality of care by coordinating the development of a voluntary and secure electronic health information infrastructure for the state health care system. Sternberg is founder and executive chairman of Bluegate Corporation. He received a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a law degree from Louisiana State University.

Alesha R. Adamson of San Antonio is chief of health informatics integration at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She served in the Oregon Army National Guard and received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in computer science from Portland State University.

Fred Buckwold of Houston is a medical director of UniCare, a WellPoint company. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia and a medical degree from McMaster University.

Raymond F. Davis of El Paso is employed by Perot Systems Corporation and serves as chief information officer at Sierra Providence Health Network. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.

David C. Fleeger of Austin is a surgeon at Austin Colon and Rectal Clinic. He received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a medical degree from Texas A&M University.

Matthew J. Hamlin of Argyle is regional vice president of Quest Diagnostics. He received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master’s of business administration from George Washington University.

Edward W. Marx of Euless is chief information officer of Texas Health Resources. He served in the U.S. Army and received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Colorado State University.

Kathleen K. Mechler of Fredericksburg is a registered nurse and co-director and chief operating officer of Texas A&M Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute. She served in the U.S. Air Force and received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in administration from Texas State University.

J Darren Rodgers of Dallas is president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in liberal arts from Duke University, a master’s of business administration from Tulane University, and a master’s degree in dispute resolution from Southern Methodist University.

Stephen Yurco of Austin is a partner at Clinical Pathology Associates. He received a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree from Northwestern University, and a master’s of business administration from the University of Houston.

Dee F. Porter of Austin is chief operating officer of the Texas Department of State Health Services. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and attended the Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business. She serves as an ex-officio member on the board.

Luanne Southern of Austin is deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. She received a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas. She serves as an ex-officio member on the board.