Kristy Platz Walker
Introduction
35+ years of progressive experience within Healthcare IT, managing successful implementations and ongoing IT operations across a wide range of clinical and administrative applications to large university as well as small independent hospitals and their clinics across the state of Iowa. At the state level, served on Iowa’s Electronic Health Information Advisory Council and led the Interoperable Electronic Health Records work group in building the State of Iowa’s Health Information Technology Plan. Served as the Iowa HIMSS state board of directors, in the roles of Advocacy Officer and President Elect. As an adjunct associate professor, taught health care executives over multiple years for UI College of Public Health. Happy to have joined UI Tippie College of Business in the Fall 2018, teaching in the Department of Business Analytics as well as fulfills the role of the Tippie Tech Advisor. When not on campus, serve on the Board of Directors for Iowa Wine Growers Association, role of Secretary, a Trustee on the Iowa 4-H Foundation Board, and on the Johnson, County Food Policy Council.
Current Positions
- Associate Professor of Practice, Business Analytics
Education
- MBA, University of Iowa
- BS in Computer Science, University of Iowa
Licenses & Certifications
- ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management, Axelos Global Best Practice, 2015
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Information & Management Systems, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, 2014
Selected Awards & Honors
- Women of Influence Award - Corridor Business Journal, 2024
- Outstanding Staff Award - University of Iowa, 2007
- Improving Our Workplace Award (IOWA) - University of Iowa, 2005 - 2009
- Part-time MSBA Instructor of the Year - Elective, 2024
- 40 Women To Watch in the Hospitality Industry - Iowa Restaurant Association, 2020
Professional Memberships
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, 1993
- Iowa Wine Growers Association, 2018
- Practical Farmers of Iowa, 2018
Selected Publications
- Walker, R. B. & Walker, K. P. (2016). Personal Finance: Building Your Future (2nd Editio) pp. 496. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
- Walker, K. (2008). Improving Transfusion Safety: Implementation of a Comprehensive Computerized Barcode-Based Tracking System for Detecting and Preventing Errors. Transfusion. 50.
- Hata, S. & Walker, K. (2006). Hospital Information Technology and Intensive Care: An Inseparable Duet. Acute Care.
- Porcella, A. & Walker, K. Patient Safety with Blood Products Administration: Using Wireless and Bar-Code Technology. In Proceedings of American Medical Informatics Association Annual Symposium 2005.
- Walker, K., Lane, T., & Flanagan, J. Lightening the Burden of the Heavy Regulatory Hand: An Incentive for Outpatient Computer Patient Records. In Proceedings of American Medical Informatics Association Annual Symposium 2001.
- Walker, K., Eyman, J., Krall, A., Prophet, C., & Flanagan, J. On the Paperless Trail. In Proceedings of HIMSS Global Health Conference 1996. 1.
- Prophet, C. & Walker, K. Integration of Systems Applications: Computerized Documentation of the Patient Discharge Referral. In Proceedings of HIMSS Global Health Conference 1993. 1, 1993.
- Thoman, D. & Walker, K. (1991). The Registrar's Registry; The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Journal of American Medical Record Association. Vol. 62, No.5, 1991.
- Platz, K., Thoman, D., & Craft, T. (1990). Making Tracks at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics: Design and Implementation of a Bar Coded Medical Records Tracking System. Journal of American Medical Record Association. 61 (9).Chicago, Illinois
Selected Presentations
- "WINE ON DEMAND: Keg Me Another - Sustainability Pitch for Kegging Wine," Guest/Invited Speaker at Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, Ankeny, Iowa, February 2022.
- "Grape Growing and Industry Analysis," Guest/Invited Speaker at Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, Ankeny, Iowa, January 2020.
- "Diversity of Ag," Panelist at Iowa Ideas Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, October 2019.
- "Walker Homestead: Building Community through Agriculture Education," Guest/Invited Speaker at Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Annual Conference, Ankeny, Iowa, January 2019.
- "Use of Patient Portals in ACO and Population Health Management," Accepted Speaker at Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Orlando, Florida, January 2015.
- "Use of Patient Portals in ACO and Population Health Management," Guest/Invited Speaker at Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), January 2015.
- "Keynote Speaker of CIO Panel," Keynote/Plenary Address at Annual Iowa e-Health Summit, Des Moines, Iowa, January 2015.
- "Providers Perspective in Interoperability," Guest/Invited Speaker at Annual Iowa e-Health Summit, Des Moines, Iowa, January 2015.
- "Unplanned Downtime Readiness," Accepted Speaker at Epic Spring Advisory Council, Veronia, Wisconsin, January 2014.
- "Success with Meaningful Physician Engagement," Accepted Speaker at Epic Spring Advisory Council, Verona, Wisconsin, January 2013.
Selected Grants & Contracts
- Walker, K. (Investigator), Principal Investigator(s): Herwaldt, L. Blood Product Transfusions and Safe Practices Implementation. AHRQ Safe Practices Implementation Challenge Grant. Completed. April 2003 - June 2006.
- Walker, K. (Multi-PI), Principal Investigator(s): Haugsdal, M., Reisinger, H., Faro, E., Summers, K., Kroymann, L., & Syrop, C. Understanding and Effectively Addressing Upstream Food Insecurity for Our Obstetrical Populationely. University of Iowa. Funded. February 2022 - February 2023.
- Walker, K. (Principal Investigator). Companion Planting of Sunflowers in Vineyards for Pest Bird Management. NCR-SARE. Funded. March 2021 - January 2023.
- Walker, K. (Principal Investigator). Bite of Food Insecurity: Addressing VA Women’s Health Clinic Users’ Food Insecurity. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Funded. October 2020 - September 2022.
Employment History
- CIO, Mahaska Health, 2019 - 2020