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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