James McCaughey, the chief strategy officer for the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, has been elected to the Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network Board of Directors.

The appointment reflects an expanded interest in health care policy issues in light of the national debate on universal coverage and access to care.

The Joint Venture board also voted last month to revive the "Smart Health" program -- in collaboration with El Camino Hospital. The action follows new calls by the Obama Administration for adoption of electronic medical records, such as those developed in recent years by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente.

McCaughey previously held positions with Kaiser Permanente and the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. He also holds a master's degree in public health from the University of Texas and a BA in anthropology from University of California, Berkeley.

The Joint Venture board is comprised of three dozen community members. Current priorities include programs to support climate protection, recruit and retain teachers and beautify El Camino Real.

-- Mike Lata