Dr. Hofmann announced as new Medical Director of Digital Health Care Integration for Stanford Health Care

May 31, 2018

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to share two announcements that demonstrate Stanford Medicine’s commitment to a Digitally Driven future: the formation of a team focused on Digital Health Care Integration for Stanford Health Care and the appointment of Michael Halaas to Associate Dean of Industry Relations and Digital Health. 

The Digital Health Care Integration team will identify and enable digital health programs and initiatives to align with the Integrated Strategic Plan for Stanford Medicine. To lead this team, Chris O’Dell has been promoted to Director of Digital Health Strategy and Alliances, and Dr. Lawrence “Rusty” Hofmann, Professor of Radiology and Chief of Interventional Radiology, will serve as Medical Director of Digital Health Care Integration, in addition to his continued clinical practice and leadership of Interventional Radiology.  For this work, Mr. O’Dell and Dr. Hofmann will report to Dr. Christopher “Topher” Sharp, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine and Chief Medical Information Officer.

This team will have an immediate focus on integrating telehealth into primary care and targeted specialty areas and to launch a virtual second opinion program. Going forward the team will focus on integration of digital health solutions that improve access, leverage limited physician resources, reduce physician burnout, and enable clinical transformation at SHC.

As Associate Dean of Industry Relations and Digital Health, Mr. Halaas will primarily focus on developing relationships with corporate entities, investors and foundations that accelerate innovation related to digital health. In this position, Mr. Halaas will report to Priya Singh, the Chief Strategy Officer of Stanford Health Care and the Senior Associate Dean of Strategy and Communications for Stanford School of Medicine. Mr. Halaas will also continue as CIO of Stanford School of Medicine. In his two roles, Mr. Halaas will work closely with SHC CIO Eric Yablonka to align the groups’ missions of ensuring that Stanford is primed to lead health care in the digital age.

In addition to coordinating with all Stanford Medicine leadership, faculty and digital stakeholders, Mr. O’Dell, Dr. Hofmann and Mr. Halaas will collaborate closely as they develop the strategic frameworks and build the relationships that will advance our institution’s digital health endeavors.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. O’Dell, Dr. Hofmann and Mr. Halaas and encouraging this strategic work.

Lloyd B. Minor, MD
Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean
Stanford University School of Medicine

David Entwistle
President and CEO
Stanford Health Care

Norman W. Rizk, MD
Guggenhime Professor of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer, Stanford Health Care
Sr. Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Stanford School of Medicine