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Medical Care

Intermountain Health Selects Ryan Smith as New CDIO

2024-12-05

In a significant move within the healthcare industry, Intermountain Health has embarked on an “extensive nationwide search” and has ultimately chosen a familiar figure to lead its digital and information initiatives. This decision holds great importance for the future of the organization and the healthcare landscape as a whole.

Transforming Healthcare with a Familiar Leader

Ryan Smith's Journey at Intermountain Health

Ryan Smith's career at Intermountain Health began in the mid-’90s. During nearly two decades, he held various senior IT leadership roles, leaving in 2013 to serve as CIO at Phoenix-based Banner Health. After five years there, he joined analytics firm Health Catalyst as a senior VP and advisor. However, during the pandemic, he returned to Intermountain Health as CIO. Now, he is set to take on the new role of CDIO starting in early 2025. Currently, he serves as interim president and CEO at Graphite Health, a nonprofit collaborative of health systems including Intermountain.This extensive experience and diverse roles have equipped him with the knowledge and skills needed to lead Intermountain's Digital Technology Services. These services encompass DTS Operations, Digital Services, Data Services, Clinical Informatics, Information Security, and Information Technology. Each team leader will report directly to him, ensuring a unified and coordinated approach.

The Larger Trend and Succession at Intermountain Health

In 2020, when Smith first took over as Intermountain CIO, he succeeded the health system's longtime IT leader, Marc Probst. Two years later, with the mega-merger with Colorado-based SCL Health, his role expanded to CDIO and was filled by SCL's Craig Richardville. Richardville, who earlier this year shared insights on assessing and choosing IT vendors, stepped down at Intermountain in July.This succession shows the organization's confidence in Smith's leadership and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As the new CDIO, he will report to chief strategy officer Dan Liljenquist and serve on the Enterprise Leadership Team.

Smith's Vision and Impact

In a statement, Smith expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, "This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me. I'm excited for the opportunity to make healthcare an easier, safer experience for patients, members and caregivers alike." Intermountain Health president and CEO Rob Allen added, "I'm confident that Ryan is the right leader to help Intermountain successfully navigate both opportunities and obstacles as a model health system in the complex world of healthcare that lies ahead. He will lead DTS to support our mission, vision, and strategy to simplify, expand proactive care, and improve the healthcare experience for our caregivers, patients, members, and communities."Smith's leadership is expected to bring significant changes and advancements in Intermountain Health's digital and information infrastructure, paving the way for a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare system.

New images have emerged, shedding light on the suspect wanted in the targeted murder of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare. This tragic event took place outside a Manhattan hotel yesterday morning as he was on his way to the company's annual investor conference. The gunman, wearing a mask, was captured on footage walking slowly behind Mr. Thompson before firing several shots in his back. Despite a brief jam in the gun, the attacker continued to fire multiple times, treating it as a targeted hit. He then managed to escape the scene on an e-bike heading towards Central Park.

Unraveling the Mystery of the Healthcare Boss's Murder

Details of the Attack

Mr. Thompson, a 50-year-old and the CEO of one of the largest US health insurance companies, was ambushed at 6:45 am local time on Wednesday. The masked gunman used ammunition with the words "deny," "defend," and "depose," which may have been a reference to insurance companies' strategies to avoid paying claims. This incident has shocked not only the local community but also law enforcement officials. New York Mayor Eric Adams, a retired NYPD captain, expressed his shock on MSNBC's Morning Joe programme, highlighting the fact that the shooter used a silencer, something he had never encountered during his years in law enforcement.

Former FBI special agent Terry Rankhorn, during an interview with Kay Burley on Sky News Breakfast, described the footage of the shooting as "chilling." He emphasized that the shooter's behavior indicated that he was a practiced, seasoned, and trained professional killer. Unlike an inexperienced and emotional amateur killer, this person calmly walked out after the attack.

Police Investigation and Suspect's Appearance

In the new pictures released by the police, the suspect can be seen smiling prior to the attack. This adds another layer of mystery to the case. The police are working tirelessly to gather more evidence and identify the suspect. The public is urged to come forward with any information that may help in the investigation.

The use of a silencer and the specific ammunition used by the suspect have raised many questions. Law enforcement agencies are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive behind the crime and to bring the perpetrator to justice. The community is on edge, waiting for answers and hoping for the safety of its residents.

According to a comprehensive report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Maui island has faced challenges in returning to pre-pandemic visitor levels. The devastating Maui wildfires in 2023 have had a significant impact on tourism. As of the first 10 months of 2024, visitor arrivals to Maui Island were 75.2% of the 2019 level. While other islands like O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island showed better recovery rates, Kaua‘i's visitor count remained flat.

Economic Growth and Projections

The department raised its economic growth projections for 2024 to 1.6% and maintained the 2025 rate at 2%. This increase is based on the first half of 2024 economic data, which showed better-than-expected performance. Industries such as construction, professional services, health care, and agriculture are experiencing growth. Director James Kunane Tokioka believes that the tourism industry will continue to recover in the next few years, especially with the projected economic growth in the US and moderate growth in Japan.

Data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that the economic growth rate increased by 1.8% in the first half of 2024, and nominal personal income growth was 5.6%. However, slower growth is expected in the second half of the year. DBEDT anticipates steady economic growth at around 2% through 2027, with construction, real estate, and the recovery of tourism as the main drivers.

Tourism Sector Recovery

While tourism-related sectors have only recovered to 93% of pre-pandemic levels as of the second quarter of 2024, non-tourism sectors have shown firm growth. The Information sector has grown by 38.4%, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector by 25.5%, the Agricultural sector by 21.5%, and the Health Care and Social Assistance sector by 11.6%. However, sectors like Wholesale Trade, Utilities, Accommodation and Food Services, and Other Services are still below 2019 real GDP levels.

Visitor spending is projected to increase from $20.6 billion in 2024 to $23.2 billion by 2027. Visitor arrivals are expected to start improving in 2025 as the Japanese visitor market recovery accelerates, with full recovery expected in 2027 when 10.4 million visitors are projected to come to the state.

Employment and Unemployment

In October 2024, statewide non-agriculture payroll jobs were still short by 21,000 compared to October 2019. Job counts in most sectors were lower, with Retail Trade losing 6,400 jobs, Accommodations losing 4,600 jobs, and Financial Activities losing 3,400 jobs. The statewide unemployment rate was 3% during the first 10 months of 2024, ranking eighth lowest in the nation. Maui County's average weekly unemployment claims were 45.8% higher than the 2019 level.

Job vacancies during the first nine months of 2024 came down to 6,300, lower than the average monthly vacancy in 2019. The construction industry has been growing continuously, with a historic record high of 43,300 construction payroll jobs in October 2024. The value of private building permits increased by 28.6% during the first 10 months of 2024, and government contracts will have a lasting impact on construction activity in the next few years.

Real Estate and Home Sales

After a 26% decline in 2023, Hawai‘i home sales increased by 18% during the first nine months of 2024. Sales of single-family homes increased by 14.6%, and condominium home sales increased by 21.2%. The average sale price of single-family homes was $1,104,714, representing an 8.9% increase, while the average sale price for condominium homes was $750,938, with a 2.4% increase.

Hawai‘i's construction industry is booming, with the total value of construction reaching $11.8 billion in 2023 and a 14.8% increase in the contracting tax base during the first half of 2024.

Inflation and Interest Rates

Honolulu consumer inflation was 4.2% in September 2024, 2 percentage points higher than Hawai‘i's inflation rate in September 2023 and 1.8 percentage points above the US inflation rate. Housing was the main driver of inflation, increasing by 6.6%.

The Federal Reserve cut its fed funds rate target by 25 basis points in November. It has cut key interest rates twice this year, reducing the Federal Funds rate to a range of 4.5%-4.75%. DBEDT predicts that Hawai‘i's economic growth rate will be 1.6% in 2024, 2% in 2025, and 1.8% in 2027. Inflation is expected to be 4.3% in 2024 and decrease to 2.6% by 2027. Hawai‘i's population is expected to decrease by 0.2% in 2024 and then increase by 0.1% each year in the following years.

To see the full report, click here.