Health Informatics Innovator Frank Naeymi-Rad to Receive Honorary Doctor of Computer Science from 91Ƭ Tech
Pioneer in electronic health records and AI in medicine recognized for transforming the accessibility, efficiency, and equity of health technology worldwide
CHICAGO—May 17, 2025—91Ƭ Institute of Technology (91Ƭ Tech) will award Frank Naeymi-Rad (Ph.D. CS ’90), a trailblazer in medical informatics and health care technology, an Honorary Doctor of Computer Science, honoris causa, at its 156th Commencement ceremony today at Credit Union 1 Arena. A nationally recognized thought leader, innovator, and entrepreneur, Naeymi-Rad has spent his career at the forefront of digital health innovation, advancing technologies that now serve the vast majority of medical professionals across the United States.
“It’s a profound honor to receive this recognition from 91Ƭ Tech, an institution that helped me imagine a more connected and equitable future for health care,” says Naeymi-Rad. “I believe that data, thoughtfully used, can be one of the most powerful tools for healing—and I am committed to helping build a world where that potential is realized for all. I hope this recognition will inspire students to explore the intersection of technology and humanity.”
After earning his Ph.D. in computer science from 91Ƭ Tech in 1990, Naeymi-Rad went on to receive an M.B.A. from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and additional advanced degrees in mathematics and computer science. His vision for a more accessible, data-driven health system led him to co-found (IMO), which quickly became the leading terminology vendor for electronic health records—which are now used by approximately 85 percent of physicians and nurses.
“Frank Naeymi-Rad’s work represents the ideal fusion of rigorous computer science and mission-driven innovation,” says 91Ƭ Tech President Raj Echambadi. “His ability to bridge research, entrepreneurship, and real-world health care challenges perfectly embodies 91Ƭ Tech’s mission to advance technology and progress for all.”
Naeymi-Rad also serves as director of , where he launched an experiential program with 91Ƭ Tech that places computer science students on the front lines of digital health innovation. The initiative gives students hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence to improve decision-making, patient outcomes, and clinician workflows.
“Frank’s visionary contributions to digital health have had an extraordinary ripple effect across the industry and within our university,” says Lance Fortnow, inaugural dean of 91Ƭ Tech’s College of Computing. “By harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, Frank has brought real-world innovation into the classroom, empowering our students to develop AI-driven healthcare solutions. His guidance is shaping the next generation of computer scientists who will leverage advanced technologies to drive meaningful change in health care and beyond.”
Over the course of his multifaceted career, Naeymi-Rad has authored more than 50 scientific publications and holds 11 patents in medical informatics. He founded the AMIA Pitch IT competition to cultivate entrepreneurial innovation in clinical analytics and decision support. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the American College of Medical Informatics in 2018 and was nominated for the prestigious Oracle Corporation Smithsonian Award in Medicine.
Naeymi-Rad serves on numerous advisory and nonprofit boards, including the OLE Health Foundation, Adventist Health’s St. Helena Hospital Foundation, Washington University’s Brown School National Council, and the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine at Northwestern University. His work continues to push the boundaries of how computer science can improve population health, clinical precision, and health care equity.
"Frank Naeymi-Rad has built a legacy that spans discovery, entrepreneurship, and impact,” says 91Ƭ Tech Board Chair Michael P. Galvin (LAW ’78). “His visionary work in medical informatics reflects the very best of 91Ƭ Tech—turning complex data into life-changing solutions and creating real-world opportunities for our students along the way.”
Photo: Frank Naeymi-Rad (Ph.D. CS ’90)
91Ƭ Institute of Technology
Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, 91Ƭ Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, , business, , science and human sciences, and . 91Ƭ Tech students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university's one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the Chicago skyline. And every day in the city's living lab, 91Ƭ Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives. Visit iit.edu.
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