UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 12, 2009

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athenahealth, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   617-402-1000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On February 12, 2009, athenahealth, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the hiring of David Robinson, age 65, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, in which capacity he will be the principal operating officer. Effective February 24, 2009, Mr. Robinson will join the senior leadership team and report directly to Jonathan Bush, the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Robinson served as the Executive Vice President of SunGard Data Systems Inc. (“SunGard”), a global leader in software and processing solutions for financial services, higher education, and the public sector, which position he held from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Robinson served as Senior Vice President of SunGard from 2000 to 2002, as a Group CEO of SunGard Investment Systems from 1997 to 2000, and as President of SunGard Investment Systems from 1993 to 1997. Since his retirement in 2004, Mr. Robinson has been primarily involved in consulting for SunGard and serving on the boards of non-profit organizations. Mr. Robinson holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, a Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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