As we look to the new year, the New Jersey Innovation Institute’s (NJII) Healthcare Division reflects back on the significant strides in advancing interoperability through healthcare technology, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration across the state’s healthcare ecosystem. Here are the key highlights from this transformative year:
Leadership and Vision Driving Healthcare Transformation
NJII has reached new heights under the leadership of Jennifer D’Angelo and Darlene Carr. Jennifer was recently promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Healthcare for NJII and Darlene was promoted to Vice President of Healthcare. Under their leadership and strategic vision, the Healthcare Division has experienced significant growth. Strategic appointments and key initiatives have strengthened NJII’s commitment to transforming healthcare in New Jersey, with interoperability remaining a central focus.
Advancing Health Information Exchange
The NJ Department of Health’s Health Information Network (NJHIN), managed by NJII, continues to be a cornerstone of the state’s healthcare infrastructure. Connecting over 21,000 providers and enabling the exchange of more than 1 billion messages, NJHIN plays a critical role in enhancing care coordination, reducing administrative burdens, and driving seamless interoperability across the state.
Innovative Programs and Digital Transformation
NJII has launched several initiatives to support healthcare providers and tackle complex healthcare challenges. These include:
- Primary Care First (PCF): Facilitating provider onboarding to NJHIN for real-time event notifications, enhancing care coordination for PCF attributed patients.
- Increased Interoperability for Acute Care Hospitals: All 70 acute care hospitals must implement bi-directional ADT (Admission, Discharge, and Transfer) and CCDA (Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture) exchanges, including integrating the state MPI (Master Person Index) and CCDA data into their EHR systems by December 31st.
- Behavioral Health Promoting Interoperability (BH PIP) Programs: Providing financial incentives to promote interoperability and strengthen IT infrastructure for behavioral health providers.
- Aging Collaborative: Leveraging digital transformation to address critical challenges in senior care, such as caregiver shortages and rising healthcare costs, ensuring a more sustainable and effective care model.
These efforts reinforce NJII’s role as a leader in healthcare innovation, fostering improved outcomes and operational excellence across New Jersey.
Security and Compliance
NJII’s commitment to security and compliance was reinforced by achieving its second consecutive HITRUST Risk-Based, 2-Year Certification. This achievement ensures the protection of sensitive healthcare data and strengthens NJII’s ability to support critical programs like the CMS Medicaid Enterprise System (MES).
Looking Ahead
As we move forward into 2025 and beyond, NJII’s Healthcare Division remains dedicated to:
- Driving Interoperability: Facilitating seamless data exchange between healthcare providers.
- Accelerating Digital Transformation: Empowering healthcare organizations with cutting-edge technologies.
- Fostering Innovation: Collaborating with industry leaders to develop groundbreaking solutions.
- Improving Patient Care: Enhancing patient outcomes through advanced healthcare technologies.
NJII’s Healthcare Division will continue to be at the forefront of healthcare technology innovation, driving interoperability, digital transformation, and collaborative partnerships to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare processes across New Jersey. The commitment to advancing patient-centered care through secure and efficient data exchange remains central to NJII’s mission, as we work to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare landscape.
Together, we are transforming healthcare in New Jersey—one innovation at a time.