• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Susannah Fox

I help people navigate health and technology.

  • Home
  • Rebel Health
  • Blog
    • greatest hits
    • health data
    • peer-to-peer health care
    • public Q&A
  • About me
    • Bio
    • Now
    • Curriculum vitae
  • Events

I’m the New CTO of HHS

May 28, 2015 By Susannah Fox 44 Comments

I’m the New CTO of HHS

I am thrilled to share the news that I am the new Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Grateful for the opportunity to serve under the leadership of Secretary Burwell — truly an extraordinary person.

Full post (originally appeared on HHS.gov):

When I left the Pew Research Center to advise companies and organizations that share my vision for health care, I thought life couldn’t get better. First and foremost, it has been an honor to be the Entrepreneur in Residence at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  Every day I spent at the Foundation was a good one, particularly the opportunity to contribute to the Data for Health initiative and developing ideas for expanding the public conversation about the Foundation’s work. Working with organizations like the Collaborative Chronic Care Network opened my eyes to the possibility of transforming care delivery by including people living with inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis on their innovation teams. I’ve also traveled the country over the last year, speaking to and learning from a wide range of health care and business leaders. I thought nothing could tempt me to turn away from this smorgasbord I was sampling. But when I was asked to consider the role of Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to serve under the leadership of Secretary Burwell, I was drawn by the possibilities:

  • To support and expand the data liberacion work that Todd Park, the first CTO of HHS, sparked. I’m a health data geek from way back and think we’ve only just begun to harness its power. The Health Datapalooza will kick off on May 31 and I can’t wait to reconnect with old and new friends.
  • To nurture the entrepreneurial spirit that Bryan Sivak and his IDEA Lab team have ignited across all 11 HHS operating divisions. Their participatory approach to solving problems matches my own methods. We have so much to learn from our colleagues all across the country, as well as from the real health care delivery experts – the citizens we serve.
  • To shine a spotlight on the role that citizens play in strengthening the health of our country. Technology’s true impact is only just now emerging in this area. The internet gives us greater access to information, yes, but even more importantly, it gives us access to each other.

The final straw was meeting Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, the Acting Deputy Secretary of HHS. Her intensity and commitment to service matches that of two other clinician-leaders I have had the honor to work with: Rebecca Rimel, RN, MBA, the president and CEO of the Pew Charitable Trusts, and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, the president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. One morning a few weeks ago I went for an early-morning run. I thought about the thousands of people who have shared their stories with me over the last 15 years, hoping that I could find a way to channel their ingenuity, humanity, and hard-won experience to heal health care. Not to be too metaphysical, but I felt all of them with me at that moment. I knew then that I would serve them by taking on this role if it was offered to me. So, when the call came, I accepted the job. I can’t wait to get started. And I’m counting on all of you to help! Thank you in advance. We are going to do great things.

Featured image: Freedom Classic 2015 by Zach Frailey.

Filed Under: policy issues Tagged With: Hhs, Pew Research Center, public service, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mike Lee says

    May 28, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    Congratulations!

    Reply
  2. Sally Okun says

    May 28, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    What amazing news! So thrilled for you and for the country! Looking forward to see you at Health Datapalooza next week.

    Cheers,

    Sally

    Reply
  3. Alex Fair says

    May 28, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    Fantastic! Couldn’t happen to a more awesome person!

    Reply
  4. Perry Gee says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    Wow Susannah, congratulations! What a perfect person for the position.

    Reply
  5. Howard Rosen says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Outstanding Susannah! Congratulations … what a great “win” for HHS to have you onboard

    Reply
  6. Carole Lannon says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    What great news! Congratulations and how wonderful for U.S./us.

    Reply
  7. e-Patient Dave says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    This wins my prize as the biggest government-based Mazel Tov in the history of the e-patient movement! Bringing heart and soul to health IT??? From someone who knows how people ACTUALLY use the internet?? How great is this??

    Reply
    • Gary Levin says

      June 22, 2015 at 10:45 pm

      Exactly, my thoughts as well. Good luck to her. They are lucky to get her.

      Reply
  8. Natasha Gajewski says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    Wonderful news and congrats to HHS for the big win!!

    Reply
  9. Britt Johnson says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    I am beyond thrilled – as I know the care and dedication you put into everything you do, all the human stories you carry with you! Congrats, my friend 🙂 And congrats to the country!! WHOA!

    Reply
  10. e-Patient Dave says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    My post about the news on e-patients.net: http://e-patients.net/archives/2015/05/breaking-susannah-fox-is-hhss-new-chief-technical-officer.html

    Reply
  11. Deborah Greenwood says

    May 28, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    Congratulations Susannah! What a great opportunity for you. Looking forward to your vision and changes!

    Reply
  12. Vera Rulon says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Awesome!!! What e-Patient Dave said… 🙂

    Reply
  13. Marcia Zorn says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    Great news!

    Reply
  14. Matthew holt says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    congrats. An inspirational choice.

    Reply
  15. Hugo Campos says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    This is wonderful, wonderful news. I am thrilled! Congratulations to Susannah and to HHS for a superb choice. Wishing Susannah great success in the new position. Best news of the year!

    Reply
  16. Kristin Milburn says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    Fantastic news! Congratulations!

    Reply
  17. Larry Chu says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Congratulations Susannah! Amazing news 🙂

    Reply
  18. Dave Vockell says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Spectacular. Fight To Win!

    Reply
  19. Elias Anaissie says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    Congratulations. Great choice by HHS. e-patients will finally thrive.

    Reply
  20. Lynda Mitchell says

    May 28, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Congratulations, Susannah! What a wonderful opportunity for you. HHS is lucky to have you!

    Reply
  21. Amy Gleason says

    May 28, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Congratulations! I am so very excited for you and for all of us in the U.S. who need your leadership! Way to go!!

    Reply
  22. Fred Muench says

    May 28, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Susannah – This makes me, patients, people, providers, animals, aliens, random life forms yet to be identified and other all very happy and hopeful for the health of the world. Congratulations to you and us. F

    Reply
  23. Terri says

    May 28, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    This is amazing news! Congratulations. So well deserved:) Terri

    Reply
  24. Robin Martinez says

    May 28, 2015 at 10:46 pm

    This is fantastic news for every empowered health consumer and caregiver. Congratulations!

    Reply
  25. Barbara H Partee says

    May 28, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Congratulations from an old friend and Girl Scout buddy of your dear mother!! That’s very exciting, and I share your parents’ pride in you!!

    Reply
  26. Laura Kolaczkowski says

    May 28, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    this is wonderful news and I know you will continue to nurture all of our needs – congratulations!

    Reply
  27. Bill Reid says

    May 28, 2015 at 11:07 pm

    Wow! Excellent news! Can’t wait to hear more.

    Reply
  28. Ola Cornelius says

    May 29, 2015 at 12:37 am

    The news traveled all the way to Sweden, and I look forward to the all the good things that this will bring.

    Congrats Susannah 🙂

    Reply
  29. Istvan Camargo says

    May 29, 2015 at 1:20 am

    What wonderful news! America shows to the world its authentic concern about the empowerment of their citizens in health issues & tech trends. That’s my simple opinion about this well deserved designation. Tom Ferguson is certainly proud 🙂 Congratulations!

    Reply
    • Susannah Fox says

      June 1, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      Thank you. I’m dedicating my service to his memory and in honor of other patient advocates who have gone before their time.

      Reply
  30. Joe Kvedar says

    May 29, 2015 at 2:23 am

    This is great news. congrats!

    Reply
  31. Trisha Torrey says

    May 29, 2015 at 7:08 am

    Susannah – nothing I love more than win-win-win and I’m thrilled to hear about this one. You win a great new position where you can made a huge difference in the life of millions. HHS wins with a true leader who will put her heart and soul into her work. Most importantly to me, patients and their caregivers win knowing YOU are facilitating improved care.

    Can’t wait to see what your tenure at HHS brings!

    Reply
  32. Sue Woods says

    May 29, 2015 at 7:24 am

    Best news of 2015! That is so exciting, so brave, so innovative, so wonderful. Kudos, Federal Partner 🙂 !!!

    Reply
  33. Lenora Johnson says

    May 29, 2015 at 10:50 am

    Great news! So excited for HHS and for Susannah! Welcome aboard.

    Reply
  34. Danny says

    May 29, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Congrats Susannah~!

    Reply
  35. Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says

    May 29, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Congratulations! Wonderful that you’ll be able to bring all your insights to HHS.

    Reply
  36. Mary Aviles says

    May 29, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    Amazing news. Congratulations. Rooting for your success!!!

    Reply
  37. Susannah Fox says

    May 30, 2015 at 9:17 am

    Thank you all so, so much for the love & support & good wishes!! Be sure to follow @HHSIDEALab for updates 🙂

    Reply
  38. Ineke Bonner says

    May 30, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Congratulations Suzanna
    Good luck in your future job

    Reply
  39. Lawrence Swiader says

    May 30, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    Such wonderful news and an outstanding choice! HHS is lucky to have you (actually, we all are). I can’t wait to see what you’ll do. Best of luck to you and congratulations!

    Reply
  40. Megan Ranney says

    June 1, 2015 at 10:15 am

    Most exciting news *ever*. Congrats Susannah! Look forward to seeing what this will bring -> healthcare innovation, here we come! 🙂

    Reply
  41. Nahum Gershon says

    June 3, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Susannah, congratulations! Great news for eHealth!! For HHS too!!

    Reply
  42. Francisco Grajales says

    June 5, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Congratulations Susannah I cant wait to see the great work that will come from your new role!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Explore

Don't miss a post

Enter your email address and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Topics

  • Seekers
  • Networkers
  • Solvers
  • Champions
  • Health Data
  • Peer-to-Peer Health Care
  • Public Q&A

Recent Comments

  • Susannah Fox on Jean Nidetch, Rebel Health leader: “Yes! I have enjoyed learning more about her personal story, which is a parable of midcentury feminism. WW was a…” May 9, 10:10
  • barbara figge fox on Jean Nidetch, Rebel Health leader: “Jean Neditch helped so many of us! She changed the landscape for weight reduction by leveraging peer support.” May 9, 08:11
  • Susannah Fox on Public Q&A: “I received scary test results. What questions should I ask my clinician?”: “Thanks, Samantha! I love your signature line/bona fides list — you tick the boxes for “learned and loved experience” described…” May 6, 15:33

Copyright Susannah Fox © 2025 · WordPress · Log in