News

Meera Kanhouwa, M.D., M.H.A., FACEP, Named VP, Medical Information Officer at MedPlus

07/17/09

MADISON, N.J. – July 17, 2009 – Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) today announced that , has joined its MedPlus health information technology subsidiary as VP, Medical Information Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Kanhouwa, an emergency physician, most recently served as Physician Executive, Health Solutions Group, at Microsoft Corporation.

“Dr. Kanhouwa has provided emergent care to patients in a variety of clinical settings and brings to Quest Diagnostics a firsthand understanding of the physician’s need for fast access to relevant patient information at the point of care,” said Jon R. Cohen, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, Quest Diagnostics. “In addition, Dr. Kanhouwa has proven expertise in health technology strategy and public health administration. Pairing her keen understanding of physician needs with her experience in driving successful health information technology initiatives, she will provide important clinical insights and drive our commitment to putting physicians and their patient care at the center of our healthcare technology innovations.”

Dr. Kanhouwa’s more than 20 years in the healthcare industry include residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She also served in the U.S. Army, where she held appointments as General Medical Officer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, and as ARCENT Forward Surgeon with the 1-43 Patriot Battalion stationed in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. She served as Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, at Prince George’s County Hospital in Cheverly Maryland and, during her five years as an emergency physician and Chief Medical Information Officer at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington, she was instrumental in piloting and deploying innovative solutions to clinical problems.

Dr. Kanhouwa joined Microsoft in 2005 as Worldwide Executive Director, Public Sector for Health Technology Strategy. During her years at Microsoft, she helped to define a global strategy for their health solutions and, in the role of Physician Executive for the Health Solutions Group, led the global introduction of the company’s acquired health intelligence software.

Dr. Kanhouwa holds a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College and earned her M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. While earning her Masters in Health Administration from George Washington University, she served as a physician volunteer focused on business development with the National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics.

About MedPlus
MedPlus, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics(R). MedPlus is a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity and healthcare information exchange solutions that foster better patient care and improve business performance for healthcare institutions, physicians and patients. The company's Centergy Clinical Portal & Data Exchange Engine and ChartMaxx(R) solutions efficiently and securely collect, store, manage and integrate clinical information within an organization, enterprise, practice or community. Centergy enables clinicians to access patient data in a centralized view aggregated from multiple care sites. ChartMaxx, the award-winning electronic patient record system, has been implemented in more than 120 hospitals and integrated healthcare delivery networks and has more than 300,000 users. For more information, visit www.MedPlus.com.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at: www.QuestDiagnostics.com.