El Camino Hospital keeps focus on high-tech, appoints new information officer

El Camino Hospital appointed Eric A. Pifer, M.D., to the newly created position of chief medical information officer July 10. The appointment, a vice president-level position, is effective Sept. 4. Pifer will be a member of the medical staff and oversee quality and information technology functions. He will report to CEO Ken Graham. Currently, Pifer is assistant professor of medicine and chief medical information officer at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia, a $2.9 billion enterprise. Since 1998, he led the implementation and customization of clinical information systems, deploying clinical decision support interventions. Pifer also maintained a medical practice and teaching responsibilities at the university. “One of the best ways to improve patient care and reduce errors is to give doctors better real-time access to medical records and critical patient information,” Graham said. “Physicians do their best when they have all the information necessary to support timely, accurate treatment decisions. Dr. Pifer’s success building cutting-edge programs makes him uniquely qualified to carry El Camino Hospital forward in our continuous quest for excellence.” Pifer earned a bachelor’s in biology from Johns Hopkins University and a medical degree from Medical College of Pennsylvania, now Drexel University College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he served as chief medical resident. He recently completed the requirements to receive a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania.