NORFOLK, Neb., June 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STERLING COMPUTERS CORPORATION (Sterling), a leading provider of IT sales and services, announced today it has acquired Wide River Technology Extension Center (TEC), the health information technology consulting division of CIMRO of Nebraska.
"Serving the healthcare industry is a top priority at Sterling which makes us excited about this announcement. Our two organizations share many core beliefs and a passion for meeting the needs of our customers," said Brad Moore, President of Sterling. "With this transaction, Sterling will be able to build on Wide River TEC's expertise and experience in using health information technology to improve care and will allow us to provide an expanded array of services to deliver to health care clients."
CIMRO of Nebraska will continue to serve as the Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) for Nebraska through a grant from the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health IT. Through this ONC grant, CIMRO of Nebraska has worked to assist over 1,500 Nebraska practitioners and Critical Access Hospitals to evaluate electronic health record (EHR) systems, implement the software, and effectively use their EHR to improve patient care. The REC grant is scheduled to end in February 2014.
"As our REC clients have achieved meaningful use, many have asked for continued services as the opportunities and challenges for using health related technologies continues to grow. With a rapidly developing market, we decided that in order for Wide River TEC to continue to grow and provide a broader array of services, a strategic partner was needed to fully develop the business," said Greg Schieke, Senior Vice President for CIMRO of Nebraska. "We found that partner in Sterling, a Nebraska-based company that shares our values, is vendor-neutral, and is committed to serving clients in rural areas. In the hands of Sterling, Wide River TEC will continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs of healthcare providers in Nebraska and beyond."
As part of the transaction, Sterling has acquired the registered trade names of Wide River TEC, its webpage and other online assets. Sterling will also assume the current fee-for-service agreements of Wide River TEC. Several key staff members of Wide River TEC will transition from CIMRO of Nebraska to Sterling, assuring continuity of services and knowledge of the health care environment, both within Nebraska and across the Midwest.
About Sterling
Sterling is a Midwest-based technology solutions provider with over 17 years of experience helping Government, Healthcare, and Commercial customers solve the most complex requirements of their IT environments. Sterling enables customers to realize maximum return on investment on all technology expenditures by providing customized solutions through a mix of solutions architecture, proof of concept, product fulfillment, and technology adoption services. Sterling is a Certified Small Business. For more information visit: www.sterlingcomputers.com.
About CIMRO of Nebraska
CIMRO of Nebraska has served as the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Nebraska since 2003. Awarded as the highest performing QIO in 2008, CIMRO of Nebraska is a not-for-profit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska and is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors. In 2010, CIMRO of Nebraska was awarded a federal $6.7 million dollar grant to serve as the HIT Regional Extension Center for Nebraska. This work was performed under the registered trade name of Wide River Technology Extension Center (TEC). For more information visit: www.cimronebraska.org or www.widerivertec.org.