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Sonny Varadan Awarded CHCIO Certification Certified Healthcare CIO Title Recognizes Dedication to Education

Friday, April 17, 2020   |   Category: Press Releases

TEMPE, Ariz. - (April 14, 2020) – Sonora Quest Laboratories, the market share leader in diagnostic laboratory testing in Arizona, is pleased to announce that Chief Information Offer Sonny Varadan recently became a CHIME Certified Healthcare CIO.

 Launched in 2008 by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), the CHCIO program is the only certification designed exclusively for leaders in health information technology. It represents one of the highest professional achievements in the industry.

 “Healthcare is undergoing a massive transformation,” said CHIME President and CEO Russell Branzell, CHCIO. “We are shifting to a value-based environment, improving coordination across the continuum and striving to reduce costs. Health IT is critical to achieving these goals. The CHCIO designation is a recognition that a CIO has the skills necessary to be a strategic leader in the organization.”

 As CIO, Varadan melds operations and innovation, making it easier and more convenient for customers to navigate through their journey with Sonora Quest. Additionally, he is focused on implementing data analytics and machine learning processes to assist healthcare providers with population health management for improved patient outcomes.

 “In the short time he has been at Sonora Quest, Sonny has driven the implementation of many technical products and services that were long requested by the business, including solutions to ensure all employees throughout Arizona and other western states, including those that work in physician offices, are connected,” said David Dexter, CEO of Sonora Quest. “We are so proud of his achievement and grateful for his contributions to the Sonora Quest leadership team.”

 To achieve CHCIO status, candidates must have at least three years of experience in the position, participate in programs and events that continue their education as an IT leader and pass a rigorous examination. These qualifications ensure that the CIO is truly dedicated to ongoing education, an important characteristic in an industry where patients pay the price for becoming stagnant.

About Sonora Quest Laboratories

Sonora Quest Laboratories, a joint venture between Banner Health and Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), is part of the nation’s largest integrated laboratory system with approximately 3,500 employees serving more than 26,000 patients every day throughout Arizona. Sonora Quest Laboratories is the market share leader in clinical laboratory testing in Arizona, performing nearly 90 million diagnostic tests per year.

Sonora Quest Laboratories offers a local comprehensive test menu which encompasses routine, molecular, prescription drug monitoring, genetic/genomic, women’s health and pathology testing services. My Lab ReQuest provides consumers direct access to a diverse range of affordable screening tests that can be ordered online at SonoraQuest.com or in any of Sonora Quest’s 75+ patient service centers across Arizona. Ninety-eight percent of all testing is performed at our primary testing facilities located in Tempe, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott and Yuma. Sonora Quest Laboratories is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) which is the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, helping laboratories to maintain accuracy of test results and ensure accurate patient diagnosis. This accreditation ensures the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients as CAP inspectors examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and records, and overall management.

About CHIME

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is an executive organization dedicated to serving chief information officers (CIOs), chief medical information offices (CMIOs), chief nursing information officers (CNIOs) and other senior healthcare IT leaders. With nearly 2,800 members in 50 countries and over 150 healthcare IT vendors and professional services firms, CHIME provides a highly interactive, trusted environment enabling senior professional and industry leaders to collaborate; exchange best practices; address professional development needs; and advocate the effective use of information management to improve the health and healthcare in the communities they serve. For more information, please visit chimecentral.org.