Cerner co-founder, chairman and CEO, Neal Patterson, is undergoing cancer treatment, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Patterson, 66, said he was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer just after the New Year holiday. “My physician says the type of cancer I have is treatable and curable, and there is no evidence of cancer elsewhere in my body. I feel fine, and I'm surrounded by extraordinarily supportive family, friends, Cerner leaders and Board members. I plan to begin treatment immediately.”
Cerner, founded in 1979 and based in North Kansas City, Mo., is “well-equipped to continue to manage Cerner with our existing leadership structure while I receive treatment." Patterson plans to stay involved in the business, but travel less and attend fewer meetings. His decision to share the news about his condition is " a judgment call," balancing transparency and privacy.
"In reality, it will not be a big change compared to how we run Cerner day-to-day already,” he said.
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Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.