WEDI is pleased to announce the election of the 2026 Board of Directors and Officers who will lead WEDI’s multi-faceted work on the use of health information technology (IT) to create efficiencies in health care information exchange and fulfill its role as a statutory advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The newly elected directors and officers begin their roles on January 1, 2026.

New 2026 Board Members:

• Corrie Hearn, Geisinger (Provider)
• Samantha Meklir, Medical Group Management Association (Provider)
• Elizabeth Reyes, Elevance Health (Health Plan)

Re-elected Board Members:

• Julie Brown-Georgi, American Medical Association (AMA)
• Rajesh Godavarthi, MCG Health (Vendor)
• Cherie Holmes-Henry, NextGen Healthcare (Vendor)
• Brian Janssen, WPS Health Solutions (Health Plan)
• Steven Johnson, HCSC (Health Plan)
• Michael Pattwell, Edifecs, a Cotiviti Business (Vendor)
• Tara Rose, Optum (Vendor)

Officers:

• Merri-Lee Stine, Aetna, a CVS Health Company, Chair
• Denny Brennan, Massachusetts Health Data Consortium, Chair-Elect
• Rebekah Fiehn, American Dental Association, Vice Chair of Finance
• Brian Janssen, WPS Health Solutions, Vice Chair of Membership and Communications
• Pam Grosze, PNC Bank, Vice Chair of Policy
• Tara Rose, Optum, Vice Chair of Programs and Services

“WEDI is excited to welcome our three new directors, return of seven re-elected directors, and officers. Overall, our board of directors bring diverse expertise and insight to the work of our organization, and our 2026 Board of Directors will further WEDI’s mission of better health care at lower cost through collective action. We look forward to the new year and the leadership of this dedicated team,” said Robert Tennant, Executive Director of WEDI. “We also extend our deep appreciation to the outgoing directors who volunteered their time and commitment to WEDI’s work.”

In addition to the directors named above, the following are members of WEDI’s Board of Directors:

• Matthew Albright, Zelis Payments (Vendor)
• Brenda Brault, Mayo Clinic
• Michael Cimmino, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Government)
• Terrence Cunningham, American Hospital Association, (Provider)
• Charles Jaffe, MD, PhD, Health Level Seven (Standards/Operating Rules)
• Sean Kilpatrick, Availity (Vendor)
• Gail Kocher, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (Health Plan)
• Danielle Lloyd, America’s Health Insurance Plans (Health Plan)
• Tim Pletcher, MiHIN (Other Entity)
• John Rancourt, Assistant Secretary of Technology Policy (Government)
• Gheisha-Ly Rosario Diaz, LabCorp (Provider)
• Cathy Shepard, X12 (Standards/Operating Rules)
• Lee Ann Stember, National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (Standards/Operating Rules)
• Robert Tennant, WEDI (Executive Director)
• Erin Weber, CAQH CORE (Standards/Operating Rules)
• Mark Yakimisky, Kaiser Permanente (Health Plan)

About WEDI

WEDI is the leading authority on the use of health IT to improve health care information exchange in order to enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs of our nation’s health care system. WEDI was formed in 1991 by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and was designated in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 as an advisor to HHS. WEDI’s diverse membership includes health plans, providers, standards development organizations, vendors, federal and state government agencies, and patient advocacy organizations. To learn more, visit www.wedi.org and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.