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Kathleen Connolly grew up in Boston and has worked nationally and internationally, including in Asia, the South Pacific Rim and Geneva. But the new vice president for health plan service administration at Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States in Rockville is no stranger to Maryland.

For about three years, she was senior vice president of marketing and product management for e-health and health care cost management company BCE Emergis in Rockville. Her tenure included the 2002 sniper attacks.

"That was a huge tragedy, but I'll never forget the way the community so totally coalesced to support the families affected and stop the attacks," Connolly, 58, said.

Kaiser, a nonprofit health care organization that serves about 500,000 people in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, and 8.7 million members nationwide, is pleased to have Connolly join, Carrie Harris-Muller, chief administrative officer for Kaiser's Mid-Atlantic region, said in a statement.

"Her knowledge and understanding of integrated claims and track record of accomplishment will be critical as we continue enhancing our members' experience," Harris-Muller said.

In her new position, Connolly oversees member services and administration, claims administration, contract benefits and employer client services for the region, which comprises Maryland, Washington and Virginia.

While attending Suffolk University in Boston at night, Connolly started working for Blue Cross Blue Shield as a telephone correspondent for providers and members. She spent 15 years with the company, working her way up to positions such as director for government programs for its Northeast region. She also graduated cum laude from Suffolk with a bachelor's in marketing and financial administration and a master's of business administration in business management.

Then for the next decade, Connolly held executive positions in domestic and international offices at Digital Equipment Corp. "Digital provided me first-hand experience in cultural differences," she said. "I still have friends in these countries. It was a phenomenal opportunity."

Before joining Kaiser, Connolly worked in Connecticut as president of health care technology company IntelliClaim and as vice president for services and support at McKesson Corp., which acquired IntelliClaim. She has also held senior level positions at Allina Health System's Medica Health Plans in Minnesota, Electronic Data Systems and Computer Sciences Corp.

Kaiser Permanente is a leader of one of the biggest changes Connolly has seen in the health care industry — electronic medical records — with its KP HealthConnect system, she said. HealthConnect has helped to not just improve care delivery quality and efficiency, but allows patients to have greater access to information, including online communications, she said.

Such information can move quickly and securely between doctors' offices, hospitals and pharmacies, Connolly said. That can aid, for instance, emergency room staff who can immediately access information about patients' blood type, allergies and medications.

"With our HealthConnect technology, we have reduced medication errors, improved clinical decision making and allowed new ways to engage patients in their care," Connolly said.

She now rents in the area, as she seeks a permanent residence. With her late mother having been a state representative in Massachusetts, she likes being in an area close to the nation's capital.

"I remember Jack Kennedy would sometimes come to our house unannounced, just wanting to say hello and stay close to the people," Connolly said.

In her spare time, she enjoys boating, tennis and golf. Connolly also plans to volunteer for community organizations after getting settled in the area.