innovate arkansas

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville said Wednesday that it will partner with the University of Arkansas and Blue Cross Blue Shield to create a research center to focus on "improving the health care delivery system with the use of information technology."
The groups said the Center for Innovation in Health Care Logistics will be "dedicated to conducting research aimed at identifying and addressing gaps and roadblocks in the application and delivery of health information technology, and highlighting and replicating proven applications that are working to benefit patients and providers."
The center’s creation was announced Wednesday during a health information technology meeting of business, information technology and health care leaders in Rogers, hosted by the retailer.
In making the announcement, John Menzer, Wal-Mart's vice chairman, said the center’s work will help fill a large information gap in the health care system.
"The best example of this need was Hurricane Katrina. Medical records, property records, court records were lost. Entire family histories – medical, cultural and otherwise – were gone in an instant, and the entire region is still recovering from this massive loss of information," Menzer said.
Professor Ron Rardin will be the center’s executive director. Wal-Mart, as the lead strategic partner, will pledge $1 million over five years to fund the center.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas, Alabama and Illinois have joined Wal-Mart as partners. The center will also raise money from other private sector companies, government agencies and foundations to help conduct its research and demonstration projects.