The Personal Connected Health Alliance (PCHA) appointed Patricia “Patty” Mechael as its Executive Vice President, and launched a recharged mission and strategy to catalyze market and policy innovation, research and collective action for the sustained adoption of personal connected health.
PCHA, a strategic business unit of HIMSS, will continue to host the annual Connected Health Conference (formerly the mHealth Summit), a conference and expo providing a global platform for the exchange of research, evidence, ideas, innovations and opportunities in connected health.
“Patty is a dedicated and respected thought leader who has dedicated her career to solving some of today’s greatest health challenges,” said H. Stephen Lieber, CAE, HIMSS President and CEO. “Under Patty’s direction, and with her unique vision, PCHA is focusing on the advancement of technology for efficacious self-care and public health, and is addressing pressing health challenges such as aging, chronic illness management, mental health and fitness.”
Mechael launched PCHA’s new strategy at the Continua Summer Summit, taking place in Amsterdam just before EU eHealth Week, where PCHA will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Continua Design Guidelines.
“Our combined efforts with members, collaborators and partners will focus on addressing what we’re calling the current ‘app and research gaps.’ That is, aligning product development with current needs and developing a body of evidence to support increased adoption and long-term use of personal connected health devices. Our goal is to make personal responsibility for health and positive behavior change the norm and improved health outcomes through technology a reality,” added Mechael. “PCHA is in a strong position to galvanize key stakeholders and provide the tools, standards and support needed to move personal connected health forward.”
Mechael is a recipient of the 2016 British Council UK Education Social Impact Award and 2011 Knowledge for the World Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Johns Hopkins University, a Bellagio Residency alumna, member of the editorial board of the Journal of Medical Internet Research, and co-editor of the book: mHealth in Practice: Mobile technology for health promotion in the developing world. She was also named one of the Digital Health 2016: Top 100 Influencers.
The PCHA works collaboratively with health, technology and life sciences, public policy, research and advocacy groups to support a new norm of personal health engagement, positive behavior change and improved wellbeing and health outcomes.
