In ONC’s office of policy, the strategic planning and coordination (SPC) division is responsible for ONC-wide strategic planning, objective setting, performance tracking and reporting, and federal coordination. Kim is the performance management lead for ONC and a health specialist on the SPC team. She is responsible for ensuring the performance management portfolio aligns with ONC leadership decisions related to setting priorities and objectives, planning, performance, milestone tracking, resource allocation, risk management, and program evaluation.

1  Tell us about some of the projects or initiatives that you lead.

At the beginning of each fiscal year, I lead the development of a brief to the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) that updates ONC’s progress to advance standards, certification, exchange, and health IT coordination for the prior fiscal year and sets goals for the current fiscal year.

2  What led you to your career here at ONC?

I majored in biology and political science at Franklin & Marshall College, then received an MPH in epidemiology and an MA in science and technology policy. I spent several years as an infectious disease researcher at the Institute of Medicine, before becoming the health and safety data lead for the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon. I then worked at the National Defense University as a senior researcher and a military health subject matter expert at the Defense Health Headquarters before joining ONC in 2020.

3  What are some skills or strengths that you contribute to your work at ONC?

I am an extrovert and skilled at making connections. I enjoy building relationships within ONC and across HHS. In 2022, ONC created the Agency Coordination Expert (ACE) program to increase internal visibility into existing work with federal partners and cultivate external coordination on health IT initiatives. I serve as the ACE for the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) on behalf of ONC.

4  What is something you’ve accomplished at ONC that you’re most proud of, and why?

I am most proud of being part of ONC’s health information technology work plan team. This team recently received the HHS Outstanding Contribution to Building Evidence for Policy Making Award at the inaugural 2023 HHS Data Excellence Awards Ceremony. Our key output is the ONC Planning and Reporting Tool, an agency-wide application streamlining processes related to work plans, staff time, milestones, and evidence reporting. This tool effectively communicated the achievements of 180 staff that work with a $65 million budget.

5  What would you say is the best or most interesting part of working for ONC?

The best part of working at ONC is the leadership support to engage in projects that align with both our professional and personal interests. I was able to join the ONC Diversity Council and the Health IT Literacy Group which are both important to me. In my personal time, I also help refugees settle in Stafford, VA. I have seen firsthand how language and cultural differences create barriers to health and care.

6  How would you characterize ONC’s success?

ONC is successful because of its diverse staff and robust skillsets encompassing clinicians, lawyers, technology specialists, public health experts, and more. This diversity enables us to keep up with the constantly evolving world of health IT.

7  Tell us about a project you are currently working on and how it fits into ONC’s mission.

As the performance management lead, I contribute to ONC’s mission by updating an annual report to Congress. This report provides Congress a comprehensive overview of the progress made by the federal government and the private sector in establishing a nationwide foundation for electronic health information access, exchange, and utilization. Previous reports to Congress can be found on ONC’s website, HealthIT.gov.

8  What are the core values of ONC that are important to you?

ONC is dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts. My son is autistic, and his future caregivers will need easy access to his health information. ONC prioritizes health equity, care coordination, and information sharing. These priorities are crucial to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The first wealth is good health – this needs to be the case for all Americans.