Skylight Healthcare Systems®, the leading provider of interactive patient care systems for hospitals, today announced that healthcare industry leader Thomas G. Klopack has been named the company's new chief executive officer. Mr. Klopack succeeds David Schofield, who is resigning to pursue additional entrepreneurial opportunities after leading Skylight from start-up to profitable operations. Mr. Schofield will continue with the company for the next year in a consultant role to assist with the transition.
"After over 10 years as CEO of Skylight Healthcare Systems, I have made the decision to submit my resignation to the board of directors based on personal and family reasons," commented Mr. Schofield. "With strong growth in client acquisition and number of beds under contract, the company is operating profitably and is on a stable and strong financial footing going forward. With the transition to Tom, I am confident that the Company will be able to extend its market leadership position building on its outstanding client service, visionary product development, and portfolio of interactive care products to support and engage patients and families on their journey of care."
Mr. Klopack joins Skylight from Automedics, a startup medical device and software company developing systems for precise control of intravenous medications, where he held the position of CEO.
"I am delighted to welcome Tom to Skylight Healthcare at this important time in the company's evolution," said Don Milder, board member and partner at Versant Ventures. "Tom is a proven leader with demonstrated success in growing healthcare companies. His track record in medical devices, healthcare IT, biotech and high tech companies at various stages of development will be invaluable as Skylight proliferates its patient care systems across a rapidly evolving health delivery environment."
Mr. Klopack comes to Skylight with a breadth of experience in healthcare companies. Prior to his tenure with Automedics, he served as CEO of IntelliDOT Corporation, a healthcare IT company delivering bedside point of care solutions to hospitals, where he built the commercial and operational team and increased market penetration from one hospital to almost 90 successfully installed systems. Prior to IntelliDOT, he was CEO of Aclara Biosciences, an early provider of molecular diagnostics for cancer, which was acquired by Virologic in 2005. He also served as Executive Director of PhotoThera, an innovative medical device company developing a treatment for ischemic stroke. His first role in life science was COO of Aurora Biosciences which he joined in 1998 and helped to build to over $100 M in sales until its acquisition by Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2002. Prior to coming to San Diego, Mr. Klopack held a wide variety of positions with Raychem Corporation, a high tech component manufacturer in the Bay Area. Mr. Klopack received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
"The rapidly changing environment for healthcare delivery puts particular focus on clinical service and response in patient care," said Mr. Klopack. "Skylight Healthcare's products enable healthcare providers to understand and respond to patient needs, better managing the patient experience and dramatically increasing staff and patient satisfaction. This maximizes the revenue for providers while increasing hospital efficiency. I look forward to working with the Skylight team to expand the success of the company in bringing this enabling set of products to healthcare providers."
About Skylight Healthcare Systems
Founded in 1999, and headquartered in San Diego, CA, Skylight® Healthcare Systems is the industry pioneer and fastest growing company in the Interactive Patient Care market. With patient communication and connection as the cornerstone of a safe, comfortable and clinically optimal hospital experience, the Skylight ACCESS® Interactive Patient System encourages patients and family to actively participate in their health care, improves communication between staff and patient/family members, and can provide a smoother and faster recovery and discharge plan. With their new products—iCarePassport™ and iCareConnect™—Skylight is delivering on its strategic vision of providing hospitals with a robust product set which will allow them to greatly enhance connection and communication along the entire patient care continuum from pre-admission through post-discharge. Hospitals implement Skylight to support their ongoing endeavors in improving HCAHPS scores, patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, enhancing operational & service excellence, meeting evolving clinical demands, and delivering on commitments to making a positive difference in the lives of the people they serve.
CONTACT:
Darrell Atkin, Director of Marketing
858.523.3750
[email protected]