Allscripts on Wedenesday, named two independent members to its board of directors. The board had been left decimated last month after its chairman Phil Pead was fired and three board members resigned in protest after a turbulent quarterly meeting.

Allscripts moved quickly to name a new board chairman – Dennis Chookaszian, a member of Allscripts' board since September 2010, formerly chairman and CEO of CNA Financial Corporation.

Now, Allscripts has named Paul M. Black, former chief operating officer of Cerner Corp., and Robert J. Cindrich, former senior vice president and chief legal officer for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), as directors, effective immediately.  Black will serve on the board’s compensation committee and Cindrich will serve on the board’s audit committee. The Board is now set at seven directors.

"We are pleased to add two new independent directors of such a high caliber," said Chookaszian. "Paul and Robert bring an outstanding combination of operational, governance and healthcare industry experience, which make them excellent additions to our Board. We believe their contributions and insights will be invaluable as the Company executes on its plan to deliver value for our customers, drive long-term growth and build shareholder value."

"Allscripts has well-respected solutions, a broad and unique client base, and a compelling vision for an open, connected, community-based, individually coordinated level of care," said Black. "I’m optimistic about the market opportunity before us and looking forward to collaborating with the board and management to execute the company’s plan to enhance the client experience, improve healthcare outcomes and deliver value for customers, team members and shareholders."

"Allscripts has an exciting opportunity to build on its leading position in the growing market for healthcare information technology," added Cindrich. "Having spent years with one of the largest and most respected integrated delivery networks in the world, I believe I can bring a unique client perspective to management and the board. I look forward to working with my fellow directors and drawing upon my experience to help the Board and management team implement the Company’s strategic plans."

Black currently serves as operating executive of Genstar Capital, LLC, a private equity firm, and as senior advisor at New Mountain Finance Corp., an investment management company. Prior to joining Genstar, Black spent more than 13 years with Cerner and retired as its chief operating officer in 2007 after helping build it into a $1.5 billion company. He also served as chief sales officer and is credited as instrumental in the company’s double-digit organic growth. Prior to Cerner, Black was with IBM from 1982 to 1994 in a number of senior sales and professional services leadership positions.

Black was most recently elected to the board of directors of Haemonetics Corporation, a global healthcare company dedicated to providing innovative blood management solutions. He also serves on the boards of Saepio, Inc., Truman Medical Centers, and Genstar portfolio company, Netsmart Technologies. He has served as a director with several New Mountain portfolio companies.

Prior to UPMC, Cindrich served as a judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania for 10 years. Prior to that appointment, he was active as an attorney in both government and private practice. His government practice includes serving as chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission, 1992-93; United States District Attorney, Western Pennsylvania District, 1978-81; and Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County, 1970-72. While in private practice, he served as defense counsel in business and commercial litigation.

Cindrich currently serves as a director of Mylan Inc., a leading generics and specialty pharmaceutical company. 

Allscripts’ incumbent directors, including Black and Cindrich, will stand for re-election at the annual meeting of stockholders on June 15. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 24, 2012, will be entitled to vote. Information on all director nominees can be found in the company’s proxy statement, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be mailed to all stockholders of record.