GALLIPOLIS — Holzer Consolidated Health Systems (HCHS) has named John H. Allen, Jr., chief information officer (CIO) for the organization. Allen assumed his new role Monday, Nov. 2.

According to a press release issued by HCHS, Allen has championed himself as a leader to support healthcare needs in several provider areas. Throughout his career, he has implemented technology infrastructure and new financial and clinical information systems for several integrated healthcare providers, saving $3 million in operating costs while improving patient safety and satisfaction.

The press release also stated that Allen has a proven track record of team building, collaboration, technology planning and implementation, and implementing appropriate systems and technology to support the business.

“Mr. Allen has the knowledge and the experience to help us build a state of the art IT system,” stated Wayne Munro, MD, chief operating officer of Holzer Health Systems and president of Holzer Clinic.

Prior to joining HCHS, Allen was the CIO at Memorial Health Care System in Fremont, Ohio, where he was responsible for system-wide information systems and technology. In addition, he was employed with Affiliated Computer Systems, Inc., where he was an account executive/chief technology officer for University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. In this capacity, he was responsible for company-wide information technology operations and infrastructure for the Hospital System, which operates in over 150 locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

“Health information technology is all about patient safety, patient satisfaction, and physician satisfaction,” Allen said. “Every day the equivalent of a jumbo jet full of passengers die in this country because of preventable medical errors. At Holzer, we are implementing technology that will allow physicians, and clinicians to improve the safety and effectiveness of health care in the communities we serve.

“We are striving to provide all patients with secured access to their medical records and treatment options to allow everyone more personal control over their health care choices,” he added. “I am excited and honored to become part of the Holzer family. My wife Angela and I are looking forward to moving to Gallipolis to be part of a wonderful and caring community.”

Allen has received classical training with Big Five consulting firm, Deloitte & Touche, working with Fortune 100 firms. Through continued successes, he was recruited and promoted to CIO of media conglomerate E.W. Scripps Company. He has been associated with the Middle Atlantic Computer Measurement Group, where he was past president, served as a board member for Leadership Sandusky County, and has been recognized with the “Management Consultant Critical Thinking” award, and is one of the six CIOs across the country that served on a McKesson Advisory Council.

Allen received his Bachelor of Science degree from California University of Pennsylvania and served in the United States Air Force. In addition, he studied Hardwiring Excellence from the Studer Group, an outcomes based health care consulting firm devoted to teaching evidence-based tools and processes that organizations can immediately use to create operational excellence.

(On the Web: Holzer Health Systems, www.holzer.org)