Quality

Spectrum Health Announces New Chief Quality Officer

J. Michael Kramer, MD, MBA, has been named senior vice president and chief quality officer, Spectrum Health System.

Dr. Kramer has been with Spectrum Health since 2011 as vice president, chief medical information officer, Spectrum Health System. This new role combines his former responsibilities with a special focus on using data to enhance quality and patient safety.

“Michael’s new dual role will refocus our quality efforts. He has tremendous experience designing and implementing clinical changes that use technology to improve patient care and quality,” said John MacKeigan, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Spectrum Health System.

Dr. Kramer has played a key role in several strategic efforts during his time with Spectrum Health, including helping physicians and other clinicians use technology to communicate efficiently and accurately. One of the goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a part of health care reform, is to increase the Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Record technology among medical providers. Dr. Kramer has been a national leader in guiding hospitals who are working to implement systems that meet the Meaningful Use standards.

“Spectrum Health has always been a leader in delivering the highest quality care. Combining quality leadership with leadership in information technology will allow us to achieve even higher levels of health, quality and safety across the communities we serve,” said Kramer.

Dr. Kramer is also leading efforts to improve patient education information throughout Spectrum Health.

“When we provide our patients with consistent information at every point of care, our families and patients will become more engaged and successful in achieving their goals.”

Prior to joining Spectrum Health, Dr. Kramer was chief medical information officer at Trinity Health in Novi, Michigan, and a physician informatics lead at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He received board certification in internal medicine and pediatrics.

Dr. Kramer has authored several articles on health care reform and electronic medical records. He was named on the 2009 “Up and Comers” list by Modern Healthcare magazine for his work to make electronic health records an effective tool for clinicians in the delivery of safe, high-quality care.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 190 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 700 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 18,000 employees. The organization provided $176.5 million in community benefit during its 2011 fiscal year.