Clifton Louie named First DataBank executive vp and COO

SAN BRUNO, Calif. Clifton Louie, former executive director of clinical services at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center, has joined First DataBank as executive vice president and chief operating officer. The company provides drug databases that are used within information systems in every aspect of the healthcare industry.

Louie, while at UCSF, also served as associate dean for the school of pharmacy, where he was responsible for management of multiple departments within UCSF Medical Center including pharmaceutical services, clinical laboratories and health information management services. In addition to his work at the school, Louie held the position of McKesson chairman for pharmaceutical information technology, where he was a key figure in developing the rules, design and implementation of a multiyear plan to advance physician order entry.

According to Don Nielsen, president of First DataBank, “As First DataBank continues to design drug information databases to address such industry issues as electronic health records, e-prescribing and physician order entry, Cliff’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable in advancing our efforts.” He also has been considered an industry expert in the use of technology to enhance patient safety and capacity of pharmaceutical care. “His remarkable record of achievement in improving the quality and safety of patient care speaks for itself,” Nielsen noted.