MANCHESTER – Seven health care and business leaders from across Maine have joined the Board of Directors of the Maine Health Information Center, the state’s primary independent, nonprofit health data research organization.

Established in 1976, the MHIC’s staff of nearly 30 researchers, information technology professionals and support staff provide a broad range of health data services to nearly 100 client organizations throughout Maine and northern New England. In recent years, the MHIC has played a leading role in supporting numerous health care cost, access and quality improvement initiatives.

The addition of new members increases the size of the MHIC’s board to 16 and represents the first major expansion and restructuring of the MHIC’s governance in its 28-year history.

Joining the board this month are:

• Andrew Coburn, professor and director of the Institute for Health Policy, USM’s Muskie School of Public Service, Portland.

• Dana Connors, president of Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Augusta.

• Paul Kuehnert, executive director, Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Maine Bureau of Health, Augusta.

• Frank McGinty, vice president of operations and treasurer, MaineHealth, Portland.

• Edward Miller, executive director, American Lung Association of Maine.

• Dr. Roger Renfrew, medical director, Redington-Fairview General Hospital, Skowhegan.

• Ted Rooney, president, Work Outcomes Inc., Brunswick.

Lisa Miller of the Bingham Program in Augusta serves as chairman of the MHIC Board of Directors. Other members of the MHIC Board include the chief executive officers of Anthem Blue Cross of Maine (James Parker), CIGNA Healthcare of Maine (Richard White), the Maine Hospital Association (Steven Michaud), the Maine Medical Association (Gordon Smith), the Maine Osteopathic Association (Kellie Miller), the Maine Health Management Coalition (Doug Libby), Medical Care Development (John LaCasse) and the acting director of the state’s Bureau of Medical Services (Christine Zukas-Lessard).

For more information about the MHIC, visit www.mhic.org.