Bita Lyons

Background

About Bita Lyons

Telehealth is challenging and invigorating field, and it is very satisfying to know that my efforts provide greater access to specialized care in a manner that makes it more affordable for patients. As the Director of TeleHealth for Dignity Health, I’ve worked with my team to implement numerous system-wide programs, integrating care on many levels at multiple locations to serve a broad range of patients. We are now operating tele-clinics for endocrinology, cardiology, multiple sclerosis, pulmonology, palliative care, mental health, geriatrics, electrophysiology, neurosurgery and neurology. In 2020, my team ramped up operations to cope with the Covid-19 crisis, onboarding and training 1,200 physicians in California in one week, and providing virtual visits with patients across the state. In my previous position as head of telemedicine at the VA in Houston, my team and I created and managed two very successful programs. The first, Tele-Sleep, served more than patients and provided $4.5M in care for just $670K. The second, Tele-Electro Physiology (Tele-EP), provided in excess of $3M in care for a cost of only $609K by its third year in operation. The Tele-Sleep program is now used as a model for other VA hospitals, and the service contracts, policies and procedures for the programs are used as examples around the country. Additional revenue-generating programs at the VA included: Home Telehealth, Tele-PAP, Tele-Insomnia, CVT-Home, Tele-HPBS, Tele-Epilepsy, Tele-Genetic, Tele-HIV Clinic, Tele-Liver Clinic, Tele-Oncology, Tele-Hematology, Tele-Poly Trauma, Tele-Rehab Amputee, Tele-Wound, Tele-Pre-Op, Tele-Post Op and Tele-Mental Health. My career began at the Telemedicine Research Center in Tehran where I was the technical director. Before that, I was a part-time computer and network engineer, and have an extensive background in IT. I look forward to many years in this industry, and feel lucky and grateful to be a part of this new, cutting edge branch of medicine.