Telemedicine

American Telemedicine Association CEO steps down

After 24 years in his position, ATA CEO Jonathan Linkous is departing. ATA COO Sabrina Smith will serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found.

telemedicine, telehealth, telecare, doctor, technology

After two dozen years at the helm, the American Telemedicine Association’s CEO, Jonathan Linkous, is leaving the organization. He cited personal reasons for his departure, according to an ATA spokesperson.

For the time being, ATA COO Sabrina Smith will take over as interim CEO. She joined the association in January after holding various leadership roles with the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Meanwhile, ATA will launch a search to permanently fill the CEO position. Via email, ATA board president Yellowlees said the organization is looking for someone with “a vision for the future of healthcare,” “extensive knowledge of telemedicine” and the ability to collaborate across the industry. The search will likely continue over the next six months.

In a statement, Yellowlees commented on the switch-up:

Jon was integral in the formation of the ATA and the telehealth industry. We thank Jon for his many years of service and his significant contributions to ATA and the industry he helped create.

With more than 10,000 members and 450 health system and industry partners, the largest international conference and trade show, and the most expansive educational telemedicine program in the world, the ATA is the international leader in telemedicine. Jon was instrumental in building this organization and we are indebted to him for building a strong foundation for future growth.

Linkous has served as head of ATA since its inception in 1993. He previously held executive positions with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the National Association of Regional Councils and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

During an interview at the 2015 ATA conference, Linkous chatted about the increasing interest in telemedicine.

“The field is absolutely erupting in terms of what’s going on,” he told MedCity founder Chris Seper. “It’s a growth market and we are in the middle of that growth. It’s good to be in telemedicine.”

But it’s not only the telehealth industry that’s experienced growth. It’s also the ATA conference. The first annual meeting was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and included 250 attendees and 10 exhibits, Linkous said. Attendance doubled the next year and has been swelling ever since.

This year’s ATA conference in Orlando included a keynote by Patrick Kennedy, as well as sessions on strategic investing, women in healthcare and the value in telemedicine.

Photo: IAN HOOTON, Getty Images

Shares0
Shares0