Connxus CEO Eliel Oliveira Named Co-Chair of Federal ONC Health IT Advisory Committee

Appointment comes as Austin nonprofit contributes to national effort to modernize U.S. health data systems

Connxus CEO Eliel Oliveira has been named Co-Chair of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC), a federal body that advises the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on policies, standards, and implementation specifications shaping the future of health data access, exchange and use in the United States.

Established under the 21st Century Cures Act, HITAC plays a central role in guiding the US HHS Secretary and Congress on national strategy for how health information is securely shared and used to improve patient care.

Oliveira’s appointment comes at a time when federal agencies are advancing both ONC’s Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) nationwide interoperability network and the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem initiative and Texas leaders are preparing for the upcoming legislative session focused on healthcare access, cost transparency and system efficiency.

Connxus, a Texas nonprofit operating a regional Health Information Exchange (HIE), is actively contributing to that national effort. The organization recently participated in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Health Tech Ecosystem First Wave launch event, showcasing patient-centered technology designed to address longstanding gaps in healthcare data access and interoperability.

“Today, we can manage nearly every part of our lives from our phones, from banking to travel to groceries, but healthcare still lags behind when it comes to accessing and sharing information,” said Eliel Oliveira, CEO of Connxus. “That creates real consequences for patients, especially those navigating complex or ongoing care.”

“When patients can access and share their health information easily, it leads to better decisions, fewer delays and less duplication,” Oliveira added. “At a system level, that’s how we start improving outcomes while also reducing unnecessary costs.”

As part of the federal initiative, Connxus is advancing a health data ecosystem developed in Austin and piloted in collaboration with People’s Community Clinic to expand patient and provider access to health information while placing patients at the center of their health information access. The platform enables patients to securely access and share their data across providers and systems, helping reduce administrative burden and improve coordination of care.

“Healthcare should work more seamlessly for patients, especially those managing ongoing or complex care,” said Matt Balthazar, CEO of People’s Community Clinic. “We’re proud to partner on this effort to give patients greater control over their health information and help build a system where critical medical data can follow the patient, not stay trapped in disconnected systems.”

Connxus is continuing work toward the initiative’s next phase, with participating organizations preparing for a planned July production milestone that will move these capabilities from demonstration to real-world use.

“Healthcare data can feel invisible until someone needs it urgently,” said Oliveira. “This work is about making sure the right information is there at the right moment, so patients don’t have to start over every time they seek care.”

For more information, visit www.connxus.org.

About Connxus

Connxus is a nonprofit alliance of healthcare providers in Central Texas dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and sharing health information to improve healthcare quality and cost efficiency across the continuum of care.

One of Connxus’ primary functions is the operation and management of a regional Health Information Exchange known as the ICare system. Through analysis of clinical data, Connxus identifies needs in the Central Texas healthcare system and develops programs to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Connxus serves eight counties in Central Texas, including Burnet, Williamson, Lee, Travis, Bastrop, Blanco, Hays, and Caldwell counties.