Home » Baptist Health names Dr. David Bensema chief information officer

Baptist Health names Dr. David Bensema chief information officer

Responsible for leading and developing information technology structures

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 22, 2014) — Baptist Health has named David J. Bensema, M.D., as its chief information officer, effective immediately. He will be responsible for leading and developing information technology structures across the system.

As chief medical information officer for Baptist Health since July, Bensema has led a task force to select a new information technology system and has served on the task force to develop a system-wide electronic personal health record. A board certified internist, he spent 16 years in private practice in Lexington before he joined the Baptist system in 2006 as executive director of physician services for Central Baptist Hospital, now Baptist Health Lexington, and medical director of Baptist Physicians Lexington, Inc.

David-Bensema
David J. Bensema, M.D.

“Dr. Bensema was a natural choice to fill this position because of his breadth of experience in clinical areas, in business development and in serving on corporate-wide IT committees during his seven years with Baptist,” said Stephen C. Hanson, chief executive officer for Baptist Health.

Timothy Jahn, M.D., chief clinical officer for Baptist Health, echoed the strength that Bensema brings to this critical position.

“As a physician leader he can contribute tremendously to this role, especially as we work to bring forward a common IT platform,” Jahn said. “His performance as chief medical information officer has been outstanding. His combined experience in this area and expertise in healthcare leadership is a real win for the Baptist system.”

Bensema received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Kentucky in 1982, followed by his medical degree in 1986. He continued his training at UK, completing his residency in internal medicine in 1989 and his chief residency in 1990. He completed his master’s degree in business administration from Auburn in May.

Bensema has participated in the start-up of three life insurance companies and became board certified in insurance medicine in 2004. He serves as president-elect of the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) with his one-year term to begin in September, and is a past chair of the KMA Board of Trustees.

In addition, Bensema serves on the e-Health Board for Kentucky, is a past president of the Lexington Medical Society and is a founding investor and board member for the Bank of Lexington. He and his wife, Dr. Marian Bensema, a pathologist, live in Lexington.

“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Bensema said. “The position will make use of my networking and integrative skills, and allows me to serve the organization on a whole new level.”