USA Health Names CIO, Has Rickert Reappointed

USA Health has appointed Tyler Whetstine as chief information officer (CIO) of its 5,000-employee system. He oversees all aspects of information technology, including computer systems, databases, network and telecommunications. He brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare information technology to the position. Whetstine says he will focus on the clinician experience as it relates to IT and the technologies provided daily. Most recently, he was a senior vice president and chief information officer for Adventist Health, a company with 30,000 associates in more than 24 hospitals. He also previously served as vice president for healthcare IT firm Cerner Corp. His roles at Cerner included CIO of Citrus Memorial Health System in Florida. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health information administration from the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Additionally, Danny Rickert, USA Health chief policy officer and assistant vice president for medical affairs, was reappointed to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) by Gov. Kay Ivey for a second three-year term through May 2025. Rickert has served on the council since 2019. He represents providers as SHCC assists the State Health Planning and Development Agency navigate matters related to health planning and resource development. “We set policy and develop the state health plan, setting guidelines for what is and isn’t allowed in terms of services and facilities,” he said. “My ability to be a part of that decision-making is important for USA Health and all of Southwest Alabama.” Rickert has more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including the last 21 years with USA Health in several roles that included director of marketing and business development, practice director for the department of obstetrics and gynecology and associate administrator.