DHIMS: Defense Health Information Management System

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Army Col. DaCosta "Dee" Barrow
MS, U.S. Army

Program Manager

Job Description

COL DaCosta Barrow is the program manager for the Defense Health Information Management System program office, which is responsible for acquiring the information management/information technology solutions that comprise the military's electronic health record, AHLTA, and the Theater Medical Information Program suite of systems. The multiple systems comprising the military's EHR support direct patient-provider relationships, population health, medical surveillance, clinical decision support and force health protection for all Military Health System beneficiaries by ensuring the right information is in the right hands at the right time.

Professional Background

Prior to his role as PM for DHIMS, COL Barrow served as Deputy Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Army Medical Command and Office of the Surgeon General. As Deputy CIO, he developed policy in all disciplines of IT oversight and IT operation to include 11 Major Subordinate Commands, 34 Army hospitals, 60,000 employees and management of an $8.8 billion budget to provide health care to 1.3 million MHS beneficiaries.

COL Barrow also performed as Assistant Chief of Staff, Information Management for Europe Regional Command and the Office of the Command Surgeon. He was responsible for advising the Commanding General on all matters regarding information management and information technology. In addition, he was responsible for medical computer systems and networks in support of a mix of operational and sustainment health care systems with more than 7,000 joint-service personnel dedicated to providing high-quality health care to more than 250,000 beneficiaries.

COL Barrow's other assignments include: Deputy CIO for Army Integration, AMEDD Office of the Surgeon General, Falls Church, Va.; Battalion Executive Officer, 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, 30th Medical Brigade, USAREUR; G3 Plans, 30th Medical Brigade, USAREUR; G6, 44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C,; CIO, Lyster Army Community Hospital, Fort Rucker, Ala.; Adjutant; Brook Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and Programmer Analyst, Brook Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

COL Barrow began his military career with the U.S. Army Medical Command as an Enlisted Soldier, Medical Laboratory Technician.

Education

A graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, COL Barrow also holds a Master's degree in Systems Management from Boston University. He obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. His additional military education includes: the Army Medical Department Basic Officer course, the AMEDD Combat Casualty course and Advanced Officer Course Combined Arms Services School, Supervisor Development Program, Fundamentals of System Acquisition Management and the Medical Strategic Leadership course.

Professional Affiliations

Healthcare Information and Management System Society and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.

Awards

COL Barrow's awards and decorations include five Meritorious Service Awards, four Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, an Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Award, a Korea Defense Service Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon and an Overseas Service Ribbon.