John C. Wiesendanger, MHA

Chief Executive Officer

As President and Chief Executive Officer of WVMI & Quality Insights, Mr. Wiesendanger is responsible for oversight of a diverse range of large federal, state and commercial projects focused on health care quality improvement and assurance.

On behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), WVMI & Quality Insights serves as the federally designated Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) in three states. QIOs improve the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Under CMS’ End Stage Renal Disease Network (ESRD) program, WVMI & Quality Insights improves care for kidney patients in two regions. WVMI & Quality Insights is also the national quality improvement contractor for the Department of Veterans Affairs, provides prior authorization and case management services to Medicaid agencies, and conducts nationwide quality reviews for the American College of Cardiology.

Most recently, Mr. Wiesendanger has spearheaded efforts related to health information technology. WVMI & Quality Insights is involved in regional health extension center initiatives in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia, helping thousands of physicians adopt and meaningfully use electronic health records. He is a member of the board of directors of the West Virginia Health Information Network and led the creation of the state’s roadmap for health information exchange. Wiesendanger was also a founding member of e-health coalitions in three states.

Because of his leadership in health care quality, Mr. Wiesendanger has presented at several national meetings and has participated in educational initiatives as well. This includes guest lecturing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and receiving an appointment as a Senior Scholar at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Wiesendanger also serves on a technical expert panel focused on reducing the prevalence of central line-associated bloodstream infections, and he is an editorial board member of the Journal of the American College of Medical Quality.

Mr. Wiesendanger oversees a staff of more than 400 employees and independent contractors whose skills include quality improvement, data analysis, IT systems development and project management.

Before joining WVMI, Mr. Wiesendanger was President/Chief Executive Officer of several health corporations and hospitals in the Northeastern United States. He has more than 35 years of executive experience in planning, organizing and managing programs and services in health care related organizations.