Pritts named first ONC Chief Privacy Officer
Joy Pritts, a researcher and faculty member at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, was named as the first Chief Privacy Officer for the Office of National Coordinator for Health IT. This position was created pursuant to a provision in ARRA, last year's economic stimulus legislation.
In her new position, Ms. Pritts will advise Dr. Blumenthal on forming policies on privacy, security and data stewardship of electronic health information, as well as coordinate similar efforts on state, federal and international levels.
Ms. Pritts is a graduate of Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University School of Law. She has testified before Congress on data privacy issues, and served as a member of Technical Advisory Panel for the multi-state Health Information Security and Privacy Collaborative (HISPC) and on the board of the National Governors Association’s State Alliance for e-Health.
According to Government Health IT:
Blumenthal said Pritts, who started her job Feb. 16, has extensive experience on all the issues that ONC grapples with. For instance, she was heavily consulted by members of Congress in legislating the HITECH health IT incentive law.
'So she has an understanding of the legislative process and a policy understanding, in addition to having worked for the government previously,' Blumenthal said in answer to a reporter’s question after a meeting of HHS’s Health IT Policy Committee.
'She has a combination of an understanding of government, understanding of the issues, and her legal background is very important – her research and policy qualifications,' he added.
"HHS appoints Joy Pritts chief privacy officer," Government Health IT (February 17, 2010).
