Kaiser Permanente has named Prat Vemana, an executive at Home Depot, as its first-ever chief digital officer.
Vemana currently serves as chief product and experience officer at the retail giant, where he is tasked with improving user experience across the company. He previously held leadership roles at Staples.
Vemana will lead digital vision and strategy for the Oakland, Calf.-based not-for-profit, which includes Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. Leading the health system's digital strategy entails on building up online and mobile tools for Kaiser Foundation's members and patients, as well as its workforce.
Kaiser recorded revenue of $21.3 billion and health plan membership of 12.3 million members during the first quarter of 2019.
Other health systems also have expanded their technology C-suite in recent months. Earlier this summer, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center appointed David Jaffray its first chief technology and digital officer, and Mount Sinai Health System in New York City named Andrew Kasarskis its first chief data officer.
Kaiser selected Vemana for the chief digital officer role because of his background in large-scale and consumer-focused digital experiences, health system leaders said.
"We've made tremendous investments in building our digital platforms and creating greater access for our members," Bernard J. Tyson, Kaiser's chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "Now we are taking it to the next level by focusing on digital experiences that change the way transactions and services are delivered."
