Allscripts CEO Resigns, Company Leaders Focus on Veradigm Health IT

During Allscripts’ first-quarter earnings call, Paul Black announced his resignation as CEO of the health IT vendor.

“As the company transforms and launches into its next evolution focusing on our Veradigm business, it is a natural time for the next generation of leaders to step forward,” Black said during the call.

The Allscripts Veradigm business segment is a health IT integration that delivers data to providers to boost clinical efficiency and care quality.

“While obviously a difficult decision, I leave knowing the company is stronger than ever and in the hands of an accomplished and proven leadership team,” Black noted.

Rick Poulton, president and CFO of the company, will now take on the role of CEO.

“I will be working with Rick through the end of the second quarter to ensure a smooth transition and will remain an avid supporter of Allscripts,” Black said.

Poulton said that the vendor’s recent move to sell its hospital and large practice software business will leave Allscripts more focused and with 5,000 fewer employees.

“For the remaining continuing operations, Veradigm is our core operating entity, representing approximately 95 percent of our consolidated revenue,” Poulton said.

Allscripts has sold a slew of its stakes in the last few years. In 2018, Allscripts sold its joint venture stake in behavioral health EHR company Netsmart for $525 million after two years of owning about 50 percent of the company. Allscripts stated it would use the $525 million to repay long-term debt and invest in other growing areas of its business.

Allscripts’ recent business ventures have focused on advancing interoperability. Veradigm recently partnered with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to support EHR interoperability for disability claims. By allowing SSA to electronically request and receive EHR data through the vendor’s network solution, the health IT can minimize clinician burden related to EHR data exchange.