Eric Thrailkill

NASHVILLE's Eric Thrailkill, a widely recognized driver of digital health innovation and sector collaboration, has been named executive director of US operations of ECHAlliance, a Belfast-based nonprofit network of digital health alliances in 78 nations.

Through its networks and related programs, ECHAlliance seeks to support "continued growth of both domestic and global companies seeking opportunities in the thriving US healthcare landscape," according to an ECHAlliance press release today.

Thrailkill has been thinking globally quite awhile.

VNC previously reported, for example, on his involvement with Nashville Chamber SVP Lori Odom and others in broad efforts to create a HealthTech Bridge between Nashville and the United Kingdom's West Yorkshire Combined Authority -- and, we're pretty sure that's just the tip of proverbial iceberg. Other Thrailkill coverage.

ECHAlliance Chairman Brian O'Connor, based in the realm of the UK and chairing a number of related entities in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere, said "I couldn't think of a better hub for our US operations than Nashville. The US is so exciting with vast innovation and capital resources matched only by its need to transform healthcare. This move will amplify our efforts to connect stakeholders across the globe, fostering collaboration that drives transformation in healthcare. Eric's achievements in Nashville make him the perfect choice to lead our expansion in the US."

Thrailkill agreed, saying, "Nashville's dynamic healthcare ecosystem, coupled with its reputation as a hub for innovation, makes it the ideal location for ECHAlliance's US headquarters. We are excited to tap into the wealth of talent and resources here to drive meaningful change in the way healthcare is delivered and experienced - both here in the US and abroad."

From his base in Nashville, Thrailkill will support not only development of the Nashville region's digital health sector, but also the ECHAlliance ecosystems in Chicago (MATTER), Los Angeles (BioscienceLA), St. Louis (GlobalSTL), the Central Florida Life Science Cluster and the Massachusetts Digital Health Ecosystem.

Thrailkill will also support ECHAlliance's US ambassadors -- currently Nichole Althaus of Citizen Health Strategies, and Jon Warner, a sector veteran who also serves as board member and advisor to several related digital health organizations.

Meanwhile, Thrailkill also serves as a community ambassador with HLTH, a network of industry experts and thought leaders, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He also remains a venture partner with both Nashville-based Caduceus Capital Partners and Cambridge-based SpringTide Ventures.

At mid-2024, he ended a 3-year term as chairman of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center's Project Healthcare.

Previously, he had a nearly 30-year career in CIO and related senior roles in major Nashville healthcare companies, including Envision Healthcare, AmSurge, America Service Group, Prison Health Services and PhyCor.

.last edited 1615 28 January 2025