HealtHIE Nevada Announces Leadership Changes as State Health Information Exchange Poised for Future Expansion

Russell Suzuki and Cody Johansen take leadership positions

to address Nevada’s fragmented health data crisis

Las Vegas, NV – August 13, 2025 – Michael Gagnon, the Executive Director of HealtHIE Nevada (HIENV), the state’s leading health information exchange, is pleased to announce two new key leadership changes that will strengthen its strategic direction and technological initiatives. This comes as America's Health Rankings report, published annually by the United Health Foundation, ranks Nevada 43rd overall and 49th in clinical care, considering access to care, preventative clinical services and overall quality of care.

Russell Suzuki now serves as the Senior Director of Business and Engagement, responsible for finance, business administration and business development at HIENV. In addition to overseeing day-to-day financial management, human resources, administration and other core functions, Suzuki ensures HIENV’s relevance to the community by serving as the primary public representative. He helps the organization engage with public audiences and fulfill its mission and vision. With more than 25 years of experience spanning hospital administration, information technology services and business administration in Nevada, Suzuki now takes a leading role as the organization expands and works to fulfill its mission of truly connecting the Nevada healthcare community.

Cody Johansen now serves as the Senior Director of Technology, responsible for executing IT strategies and standards for HIENV, as well as overseeing key internal systems. He will oversee day-to-day operations and take the lead in shaping and executing the organization’s strategy. Johansen plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining HIENV’s innovation and technology strategy, ensuring alignment with the long-term goals of HIENV and its stakeholders. He also provides leadership on the use of HIENV platforms to support organizational plans and priorities. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Johansen has previously overseen technical operations at health information exchanges in San Diego, Utah and Nevada.

“Nevada unfortunately has one of the most fragmented patchworks of proprietary electronic health record systems in the country and as a result our doctors and hospitals remain too siloed when it comes to sharing patient information, negatively impacting patients, state visitors and healthcare providers,” said Mr. Gagnon. “This fragmentation means that ER doctors often lack access to vital medical histories and medications when making life or death decisions, whether in the aftermath of a car accident, during mass casualty events like October 1 or amid public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing this disconnect is essential, and HealtHIE Nevada’s continued strategic direction will be key to building the truly connected statewide health information system we need to improve care coordination for all Nevadans.”

The shifts in leadership come at a crucial time for HealtHIE Nevada as it positions itself for expansion, while tackling the complexities of Nevada’s current health data infrastructure and regulatory environment to ensure interoperability between as many healthcare organizations as possible, delivering improved quality and efficiency of patient-centered care.

About HealtHIE Nevada

HealtHIE Nevada is a private, nonprofit, statewide health information exchange dedicated to connecting healthcare organizations by managing real-time, secure and accurate exchange of clinical information. Certified by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, HealtHIE Nevada operates throughout the entire state and is the only HIE serving the entire Nevada healthcare community. Ensuring data security and privacy, HealtHIE Nevada’s infrastructure is accredited by HITRUST, the most extensive program of its type in the nation. To learn more, visit www.healthienevada.org, or follow HealtHIE Nevada on LinkedIn.

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Media Contacts:

The Firm Public Relations & Marketing - 702.739.9933

KC Kappen // ext. 227 // kck@thefirmpr.com

Jesse Scott // ext. 228 // jscott@thefirmpr.com

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HealtHIE Nevada, Veterans Affairs, and Department of Defense Partner to Enhance Active-Duty Military and Veterans’ Access to Care

LAS VEGAS, NV (JUNE 17, 2024) –  HealtHIE Nevada, the statewide health information exchange (HIE) that provides the secure network to connect all Nevada providers’ electronic health records (EHRs), will now connect to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD), providing a valuable service to active-duty military, veterans and their family members. The connection went live on June 12.

Under the partnership, the VA and DoD make their clinical information available for patients to the HealtHIE Nevada network when necessary for patient care. Information includes laboratory results, medications and discharge information. HealtHIE Nevada in turn makes patients’ medical records available to VA and DoD providers.

“Whether on active duty, reacclimating to civilian life or years into their retirement journey, we’re honored to help our active-duty military and veterans by allowing doctors and other healthcare providers access to their medical records in a seamless and secure manner,” said Michael Gagnon, Executive Director of HealtHIE Nevada. “This new service is designed to enhance care coordination between VA, DoD and local healthcare facilities to ultimately improve patient care  wherever they receive care in Nevada.”

 Without the connection to the HIE, patients are required to collect and transport paper records to all providers, exacerbating an already arduous health experience for veterans—many of whom have elevated and dire health concerns compared to the wider population. HealtHIE Nevada ensures strict compliance with all state and federal medical privacy regulations.

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics, there are more than 226,000 veterans and over 13,000 active-duty military personnel in Nevada.  Many veterans receive care both in the VA system and from non-VA community providers and coordinating care is critical for improving quality and patient safety. With this new connection, providers at the VA will have access to clinical patient information from healthcare organizations who participate in the HIE including Renown Health, Dignity Health, Saint Mary’s Medical Center, University Medical Center, Valley Health System, Southwest Medical Associates, Desert Radiology, Reno Diagnostic Center and several more.

In total, HealtHIE Nevada currently partners with more than 140 organizations across the state. It continues to grow HIE participants, safely and securely managing clinical patient data between physician offices, acute care hospitals, diagnostic services and other healthcare providers in Nevada. For more information about HealtHIE Nevada, visit healthienevada.org.

About HealtHIE Nevada

HealtHIE Nevada is a private, nonprofit, statewide health information exchange dedicated to connecting healthcare organizations by managing real time, secure, and accurate exchange of clinical information. Certified by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, HealtHIE Nevada operates throughout the entire state, and is the only HIE serving the Nevada healthcare community. Ensuring data security and privacy, HealtHIE Nevada is accredited by HITRUST, the most extensive program of its type in the nation. To learn more, visit www.healthienevada.org, or follow HealtHIE Nevada on LinkedIn and Facebook.

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 Media Contacts:

The Firm Public Relations & Marketing - 702.739.9933

KC Kappen // ext. 227 // kck@thefirmpr.com

Jesse Scott // ext. 228 // jscott@thefirmpr.com