Providence names chief digital officer

Providence, one of the largest not-for-profit Catholic health systems, has tapped Sara Vaezy as its new executive vice president and chief digital officer. 

Vaezy previously served as chief of digital and growth strategy for Providence. She will report directly to CEO Rod Hocman and serve on the organization’s executive council.

The appointment comes after Providence’s digital health innovation business spun off DexCare, a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for health systems that intelligently orchestrates digital demand and health system capacity across all lines of care. Providence Health & Services Washington also recently agreed to pay $22.7 million to settle federal fraudulent accusations with the Department of Justice.

As chief digital officer, Vaezy is responsible for digital strategy, product innovation and incubation, marketing, digital experience and commercialization. She specializes in strategy-driven innovation that drives organizational transformation, and previously built a framework for building and maintaining deep organizational relationships with stakeholders—including over 150+ health system digital and innovation teams, venture capital organizations, industry analysts & influencers and digital health organizations.

"Sara is well-positioned to accelerate our digital work," said Rod Hochman, Providence CEO. "Sara and team built the model that the Providence Digital Innovation Group is founded on, resulting in technology partnerships and the development of three incubated technologies into independent companies that support Providence's mission and vision. I am looking forward to what is ahead under her leadership."

In addition, Providence named Shweta Ponnappa to chief marketing and digital experience officer, where she is responsible for marketing and digital experiences system-wide for Providence.

Amy Baxter

Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."

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