Health IT exec Todd Park chosen HHS' CTO

The White House has named health information technology executive Todd Park as chief technology officer of the Health and Human Services Department (HHS).

Park is co-founder of Athenahealth, of Watertown, Mass., a vendor of health information technology and electronic medical record services. The company announced his HHS appointment in a news release Aug. 3.

As CTO, Park will report to HHS Deputy Secretary William Corr, Athenahealth said. Park will begin his HHS CTO position later this month and will recuse himself from any decisions involving Athenahealth.

“My entire professional career has focusing on developing technologies and services that can help our health care system work the way it should,” Park said. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to help the administration explore and catalyze new ways to improve the health status of the United States through the power of data, technology and innovation.”

Meanwhile, ABC News said in a report today that Park’s appointment is drawing attention from citizen watchdog groups because of his role as a campaign donor. Park gave $60,000 to organizations that supported President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and another $30,000 to the Democratic National Committee, ABC said.

Park will cash in stock and options worth roughly $30 million before taking the HHS post, the network said.