MEDITECH, the leading vendor of health care information systems, announced today it has completed the acquisition of its long-time partner LSS Data Systems, a leading provider of ambulatory information system solutions for physician practices.

LSS is now a wholly owned subsidiary of MEDITECH, with MEDITECH having full responsibility for the development, marketing, installation, and customer service aspects of LSS products. As previously stated when the initial agreement was announced, LSS staff members are remaining in the Minnesota offices as members of MEDITECH's staff.

Joanne Wood, MEDITECH senior vice president of client services for the MAGIC and Client/Server platforms, will take on the additional titles of President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of LSS Data Systems and will now oversee all operations of LSS. LSS's founders, Ken Carlson (CEO and CTO) and Stephanie Petersen (President and COO) have retired.

Wood has served MEDITECH in a variety of executive roles during her 27 years with the company. In August 2010, she was promoted to her current role of senior vice president client services, overseeing MEDITECH's staff of over 1,400 software professionals who provide client services for the company's MAGIC and Client/Server platforms.

MEDITECH, which plans to fully merge LSS into the company's operations in the future, sees significant benefits coming for customers as a result of the LSS acquisition.

"I am excited to lead this new era for MEDITECH," said Wood. "I look forward to increasing our functionality, enhancing our service, and more closely coordinating the ambulatory solution with our acute care, home care, continuing care, and behavioral health products. I want to thank Ken and Stephanie for their decades of leadership and commitment, and wish them the very best in their retirement."

MEDITECH President and CEO Howard Messing noted health care organizations will become increasingly reliant on integrated and interoperable information technology to coordinate care delivery among diverse networks of care providers in the years ahead.

"As new delivery models emerge, our customers will need to tackle issues such as disease management and promoting wellness," he said. "I'm thrilled that Joanne is leading this very important ambulatory area for us."