Allscripts CEO Paul Black steps down after 10 years

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions CEO Paul Black is stepping down as head of an electronic health record provider, he said Thursday in the company’s first-quarter 2022 earnings report.

Black, who has been the Chicago-based company’s CEO since December 2012, said the move is effective immediately. Allscripts President Rick Poulton, who also joined the company in 2012, will take over as CEO. Black said he would work with Poulton in the second quarter to ensure a smooth transition.

Allscripts recently completed the sale of its hospital and large practice practices, including various electronic health record products, to Canadian software company Constellation Software through its subsidiary N. Harris Computer for $670 million. The company plans to use proceeds from the sale to focus on its payer and life sciences business, Veradigm, which it launched in 2018.

“As the company transforms and moves into the next phase of growth with a focus on Veradigm, it’s time for a new generation of leaders to take a step forward,” Black said during an earnings call. “While it was a difficult decision, I am leaving knowing that the company is stronger than ever and in the hands of an experienced leadership team.”

Black took over Allscripts almost 10 years ago after becoming an independent director on its board of directors, succeeding founder and longtime CEO Glen Tallman. Prior to Allscripts, Black was the COO of Cerner.

Poulton joined Allscripts as CFO and was named President in 2015. Prior to this position, he was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of AAR Corp, an aviation services company.

Veradigm’s first-quarter revenue was $136 million, up from $126 million in the first quarter of 2021.