Mike Popovich, CEO, STChealth
According to the CDC, around 56,000 deaths occur from the flu or flu-like illness and 60,700 deaths occur from whooping cough each year. The outbreak of such preventable diseases like flu, measles, mumps,and whooping cough is a harsh reminder that these ailments can be controlled but have not been eradicated. But still, there is hope. Through vaccines, public health prevention programs, and data intelligence, the impact of many such diseases can be diminished. Thus, many proactive innovative companies are working towards this goal consistently to eradicate preventable diseases around the world. Staying at the forefront of this mission, STChealth, a leading healthcare information service provider has been offering health information solutions and services to support immunizations, disease prevention, and preparedness in support of pandemics, outbreaks, and natural events for over 32 years.
STChealth was founded in 1988 by Michael Popovich, who along with President Todd Watkins have run the company for 32 years. Since its inception, the company has been a key member of the public health immunization ecosystem and has undertaken a mission of eliminating vaccine-preventable disease using innovative technology and services.
Empowering Healthcare Communities by Unlocking the Power of Data
STChealth focuses on harnessing the potential of data to improve health outcomes and inform and empower healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients. The STChealth platform includes immunization registry solutions used by 13 U.S. states and territories, compliance, and reporting solutions used by over 33,000 pharmacies throughout the U.S,and consumer access solutions that put health records directly into the hands of hundreds of thousands of consumers.
All of its technology is hosted in the cloud and delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). The use of cloud infrastructure enables it to capture and deliver the data in real-time, ensuring relevant information is utilized on demand. This further allows the company to provide clinical decision support at the point of care for pharmacists and providers administering vaccines. In addition, its analytics division and staff epidemiologist undertake advanced data projects that leverage hundreds of millions of immunization data events to develop series completion campaigns and targeted campaigns aimed at improving vaccine coverage rates within vulnerable populations.
“Throughout our journey, we have come to realize the power data has to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly as it relates to improving vaccine coverage rates within high-risk populations and underserved communities,” says Mike Popovich, the CEO of STChealth.
Improving Healthcare Outcomes by Leveraging Extensive Data Network
STChealth’s primary value lies in its ability to improve healthcare outcomes by leveraging its extensive data network and partnerships with Public Health, Pharmacy, Vaccine Manufacturers, Employers, and Government and non-profit agencies with the mission of mitigating the impact of vaccine preventable disease on populations. Every solution provided by STChealth is informed by the data in its network which allows it to provide its clients with the information they need to do their jobs, on-demand. The company believes in the power of collaboration and enjoys bringing together public health organizations and the private sector to develop partnerships that ultimately result in better healthcare outcomes for the public.
“No other organization possesses such an extensive footprint throughout the immunization ecosystem. This has allowed STChealth to bridge the gap between Public Health organizations and the private sector, resulting in large-scale initiatives that leverage the reach of Public Health and the resources of the private sector,” asserts Mike.
Building and Maintaining Trusted Relationships with Clients
Today, STChealth has come a long way since its inception and its success stems from its ability to build and maintain positive relationships with its clients across the immunization ecosystem. The community-centric company dedicates significant time and resources to increasing workforce capacity, creating interoperable information data solutions to empower and influence the user community. Prior to COVID-19, STChealth would host regular on-site thought leadership summitsthroughout the year aimed at bringing communities of pharmacists, Public Health and other vaccine ecosystem players together to facilitate shared learning over vaccine delivery challenges and using data to evaluate and monitor progress.
“At our core, STChealth is passionate about mitigating the impact of a vaccine preventable disease on a child, adolescent, young adult and the elderly no matter where they live, no matter what culture they come from, or what they ate for breakfast. We take pride in working with committed partners in the public and private sectors to improve the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and the public,” states Mike.
Building a Path to a Healthier Future
When it comes to the future, STChealth has several key strategic ongoing initiatives. One billion people will be empowered and potentially influenced through STChealth services, solutions, and partnerships. STChealth’s current international footprint will extend to every continent,and all those we touch will live a better life. This pandemic, the latest in a long line of previous pandemics, has further demonstrated the value of what STChealth offers. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, STChealth has been developing a new solution called “SAFE Return-to-Work.” This solution provides employers with the tools and materials they need to screen, test, and support employees in their return to a physical worksite. Moving ahead, it intends to further extend the SAFE Return-to-Work platform beyond COVID-19 services to include additional clinical services such as flu shots and biometric screenings. “These services will help organizations promote healthy worksites and further our mission of eradicating preventable disease,” affirms Mike on a concluding note.