Morris F. Collen

American physician and pioneer in medical informatics

Morris F. Collen (November 12, 1913 – September 27, 2014) was an American physician and a pioneer in the field of medical informatics. He was one of the founding members of Kaiser Permanente and played a significant role in the development of electronic medical records.

Early life and education

Morris F. Collen was born in Denver, Colorado. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed an interest in the intersection of medicine and technology. He later attended the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree.

Career

Kaiser Permanente

Birthday cake for Dr. Morris F. Collen

Collen joined the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in 1942, initially working as a general physician. During World War II, he was involved in the care of shipyard workers in Richmond, California. His work during this period laid the foundation for his interest in preventive medicine and the use of technology to improve healthcare delivery.

Medical informatics

Collen was instrumental in the development of one of the first computerized health records systems. In the 1960s, he led a team that created a computerized multiphasic health screening system, which automated the collection and analysis of patient data. This system was a precursor to modern electronic health records and demonstrated the potential of computers to enhance medical practice.

Research and contributions

Throughout his career, Collen published extensively on topics related to medical informatics and preventive medicine. He was a strong advocate for the use of technology to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of medical informatics, influencing the development of health information systems worldwide.

Awards and honors

Collen received numerous awards for his contributions to medicine and informatics, including recognition from the American Medical Informatics Association and the Institute of Medicine. In 2005, the Morris F. Collen Award of Excellence was established in his honor to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of medical informatics.

Personal life

Collen was married and had children. He was known for his dedication to his work and his passion for improving healthcare through technology. He continued to be active in the field of medical informatics well into his later years.

Legacy

Morris F. Collen's work laid the groundwork for many of the advancements in medical informatics that are taken for granted today. His vision of using technology to improve healthcare delivery has become a reality, and his contributions continue to influence the field.

Related pages

• Medical informatics
• Electronic health record
• Kaiser Permanente