Patrick Newbold, previously the Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) at NASA, has announced his transition to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Newbold shared the news in a LinkedIn post, expressing both gratitude for his time at NASA and anticipation for his next chapter supporting CMS’s mission to enhance healthcare services for Americans. His move reflects a career dedicated to public service, as he shifts from spearheading transformative IT initiatives in space exploration to advancing technology solutions in the healthcare sector.
In his post, Newbold reflected on his achievements and experiences at NASA, saying, “As I transition from NASA’s Deputy CIO role, I want to express my deep gratitude to the incredible colleagues and teams I’ve worked with this year. It has been an honor to support NASA’s mission of returning humans to the Moon and sending astronauts to Mars. Leading IT strategies to enable these historic goals has been a humbling experience, and I am proud of the strides we’ve made to ensure technology plays a critical role in the future of space exploration.” He expressed thanks to his “NASA family” and remarked on the invaluable lessons learned that he intends to bring into his new role.
At CMS, Newbold will focus on initiatives aimed at advancing health equity, improving health outcomes, expanding care access, and supporting the affordability and sustainability of healthcare systems. “This latest chapter presents an opportunity to continue driving transformative change, now focused on the vital mission of improving healthcare for millions of Americans,” he wrote. “I’m eager to lead efforts that will harness the power of technology to support these goals—whether by strengthening our digital infrastructure, enhancing data security, or enabling more equitable access to critical healthcare services.”
Newbold’s career has been defined by extensive leadership roles in federal information technology. Prior to joining NASA, he served as CIO and Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the Social Security Administration. He also held the role of Deputy CIO and Director of IT at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, contributing to national defense and infrastructure projects. Additionally, he gained legislative experience as a Senior Legislative Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Newbold holds a Master’s in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University and an MBA from Texas A&M University-Texarkana. His experience uniquely equips him to navigate the complexities of healthcare IT infrastructure at CMS.