Cerner and MU work toward collaboration
MU hopes to gain prominence in health information technology.
Published Sept. 25, 2009
MU Health Care and Cerner Corp., a health information technology provider, are discussing a possible collaboration, but details of the deal are still unclear.
On Sept. 18, MU Health System Vice Chancellor Harold Williamson and MU Health Care CEO James Ross jointly released a statement concerning recent discussions between MU Health and Cerner.
According to the statement, MU Health has had a longstanding relationship with Cerner.
"We are in comprehensive discussions with them that would result in a significant investment in our health information technology and identify ways that we can collaborate on a range of new initiatives," the statement said. "If an agreement is reached it will accelerate the integration of a comprehensive, cutting edge electronic health record across our entire health system."
Cerner is considered a leader in health information technology, according the statement.
"A closer collaboration between our academic health center and an industry health information technology leader will set the stage for future investments and initiatives that will position the University of Missouri as a leader in the state and across the nation," Williamson and Ross said in the statement.
According to the statement, the MU Health Information Technology employees are vital to the success of any future initiatives with Cerner.
"The retention of our talented workforce is one of the principal points of our discussions," the statement said. "We are committed to providing a favorable employment opportunity for each employee."
The statement said if any agreement between MU Health and Cerner is reached, the MU Health IT employees will be notified promptly and questions from them will be answered.
"We believe the public/private collaboration we are discussing represents a tremendous opportunity for fundamentally changing the way health care is delivered and creating a model for patient-centered care," the statement said.
UM system President Gary Forsee is a former CEO of Sprint, a company with close ties to Cerner. UM system spokeswoman Jennifer Hollingshead said Forsee's involvement in the discussion was a matter she could not comment on.
