Quarterly Newsletter | February 2005
Shawna Schueller, President
RHIOs: The Muddy Waters
As you know, our December 1st event was hosted at Guidant Corporation and focused on the Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) Development. What we learned is that there are a number of Minnesota organizations working on different aspects of developing a RHIO including the Minnesota e-Health Initiative and Dr. Connelly's AHRQ Initiative among discussions at the CIO Collaborative, National HIMSS, CHIME, etc. With all of the questions around a business model, leadership and governance, funding, the definition of a region, operational issues, there is still a lot to be determined! In an effort to add value to our members, the MN chapter is working to become a resource so members can access information on what the alternate organizations are doing to establish a RHIO and share their missions, goals and objectives, plans, finding and conclusions. With several Minnesota-based RHIO-like initiatives underway, the chapter wants to help ensure there's a vehicle to collaborate, share information and determine common ground among the initiatives. Watch for additional news regarding the development of this information clearinghouse.
And speaking of information sharing, we wanted to be sure you knew about some events offered by other professional societies or organizations locally. The Health Informatics program at the University of Minnesota hosts a semi-monthly seminar on hot topics in the industry. Check out http://www.cbc.umn.edu/~sspeedie/hinf/htdocs/seminar/hinfseminar.html for their schedule and list of sessions. The next sessions include:
"Making the Case for the EHR and Gaining its Predicted Benefits", Kim Pederson, Allina Hospitals & Clinics - 2/10
"Can Clinical Outcomes Be Changed with EHR Use?", Barry Bershow, MD, Fairview Health Services, 2/17
This year's HIMSS Annual Conference is set for February 14th - 17th in Dallas. Once again, the MN Chapter of HIMSS is sponsoring a reception for all MN HIMSS members attending the conference.
When: Monday, February 14th, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Where: Hyatt Regency, Reunion Ballroom B
What: Complimentary Appetizers & Cocktails & Networking
Last year over 100 members attended the reception and swapped stories about the latest technology unveiled at the conference and the best premiums on the show floor. Come join fellow Minnesotans spending Valentine's Day in Dallas and share in complimentary cocktails and appetizers sponsored by the chapter's Platinum sponsors Onvoy and StoneBridge Group. Please pre-register here to help us better plan for appetizer orders!
Thank you to the Platinum sponsors Onvoy and StoneBridge Group for their contributions to the chapter reception!
Andy Galbus, Programs Director
The chapter would like to congratulate and, more importantly, thank Shawna Schueller - a recipient of this year's Chapter Leader of the Year Award. Shawna's hardwork, enthusiasm, and commitment have been instrumental in the Chapter's growth and success. She has served as Chapter President, President-elect and Program Chair. During her tenure, the chapter has initiated a CIO outreach program (including this year's roundtable), expanded the number of locations served and introduced web based delivery of program videos/recordings.
The chapter was also pleased to receive first runner-up, in collaboration with the Wisconsin-Dairyland Chapter, in this year's Chapter Innovation Award. The chapters were recognized for our collaboration on 2003/2004 educational programs, leveraging video-conferencing technology to distribute program content to both chapters. This years award represents the fourth time in five years the MN chapter has been recognized for chapter innovation (Grand prize 2002; First runner-up 2001, 2005; Second runner-up 2003).
HIMSS December Program on the Web!
Due to the extreme interest in the topic or our December program (RHIOs: Clearing the Muddy Water), we experimented with video-taping the event, so it could be viewed as a webcast for those MN Chapter of HIMSS members who missed the event or wanted like to share it with a colleague. You can access the webcast here
Programs
Andy Galbus, Programs Chair
October 2004: Leading Geeks
What a great Fall and start of the Winter we had for programs in the MN chapter! In October we had a program from author Paul Glen regarding his book, "Leading Geeks" where we heard his views on how technology workers might best be treated as artists to be collaborated with instead of worker bees to be micro-managed. Paul's ideas were well received by the 40 people that attended from Rochester and St. Paul. In case you missed this event or would like a copy of the slides, please click here
December 2004: Discussion on Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) Development
On December 1st we had a great time hearing from several leaders regarding Regional Health Information Organizations or RHIO's. We had a cast of several people from our own Minnesota community: Dr Ray Gensinger from Hennepin County Medical Center, Dr. Don Connelley from the University of Minnesota, Pete Palmer from Guidant, as well as guests from the Southern California HIMSS chapter, Maggie Lohnes, and Dr. Martin Harris from the Cleveland Clinic. We had some great dialogue also after the presentation about how MN HIMSS might play a role in helping healthcare organizations prepare for the future of sharing electronic patient information. This program was another trial with a different time (morning program) and format (panel discussion/multiple presenters) and multiple locations participating via video teleconference. We broke our record for attendance at this session with 110 people attending at all the sites (previous record was 85 back in 2003). This particular session was also digitally video recorded by MedCentrus and is now available on line to MN HIMSS members. To access the program from the members section of the Minnesota HIMSS web site, click here. You will be prompted to enter your HIMSS member number. We hope you find this a great new addition so let us know if you get the chance to try this. We might try this again in the future if people find this helpful.
March 2005: PACS - A Measurable Success?
In March we are delighted to bring you a presentation about a recent PACS implementation from Fairview Health Services with a panel discussion on lessons learned from several organizations in the area with PACS experiences. Mark the date - Friday, March 11th from 11-2. We are again changing the date and time to allow members to break away from work and try and learn about PACS. There will also be several sites to participate via video teleconference including sites in Wisconsin working with the Diaryland chapter of HIMSS. Check the web site for more details by visiting http://www.himss-mn.org/programs/2005mar/2005mar_info.htm.
May 2005: Health Information Technology Institute
Now may also be a good time for you to save the date for our annual all-day program - May 17th. We are planning on bringing you several topics from RHIO, continued topics to include clinical implementations, panel discussions, and more. If you have a hot topic and a possible presenter please email me at programs@himss-mn.org. It will be again at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business this year.
As always, members can view the slides online from most all of the several years of programs so if you missed any of the sessions log on with your member id and password and go to members only and choose the program you wish to view.
Professional Development
Ray Gensinger, Education Coordinator
HIMSS has launched a professional certification program for healthcare information and management systems professionals. An individual who meets eligibility criteria and successfully completes a qualifying examination is designated a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS).
HIMSS contracted with the AHA Certification Center (AHA-CC) and Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) to assist in the development, administration, scoring, score reporting and analysis of it's CPHIMS examination.
CPHIMS status provides both internal and external rewards. To find out more about the CPHIMS certification, please visit the HIMSS National web site.
Within Minnesota, the following individuals have achieved CPHIMS status:
Michael C. Arfsten, Neighborhood Healthcare Network
Barbara L. Brian, Hennepin County Medical Center
Barbara J. Carroll, Children's Hospital and Clinics
Shirley A. Eichenwald, College of St. Scholastica
Raymond A. Gensinger, Hennepin County Medical Center
Paula J. Gibson, StoneBridge Group
Susan M. Green, StoneBridge Group
Van W. Grotenhuis
Kirk A. Mahlen, Catholic Health Initiatives
Stephanie A. Marshall, St. Luke's
David W. Turner
Barry M. Vornbrock, HealthPartners, Inc.
Stan Wiebe
As you may know, the MN chapter offers approximately 15 hours of CPHIMS credits annually through a variety of local programs scatterered throughout the year. Members should review the web site and watch for special mailing detailing our next programs.
In addition to the local sponsorship of CPHIMS credits, National provides a wealth if information on the process and value asssociated with certification. Information can be found on the HIMSS web site at:
http://www.himss.org/asp/certification_cphims.asp
Fellows and Seniors Advancement
In addition to professional certification, HIMSS strongly emphasizes and encourages professional development and contributions to the healthcare industry for its members. As such, national members have the opportunity to be recognized for their dedication to the society and the industry by applying for Senior Member or Fellow Status. HIMSS national members are chosen for advancement after meeting several criteria based on professional capability, experience, leadership and service to their profession.
Individuals who have advanced to Senior Member or Fellow status are leaders within the society implying not only recognition for past contributions but also the expectation of continuing participation and contributions to HIMSS and the healthcare community.
Within Minnesota, the following individuals have achieved Fellow or Senior HIMSS status:
Fellows:
Patricia S. Gibbons
Carl J. McCann, Computer Sciences Corporation
Walter R. Menning, Mayo Foundation
James A. Dilling, Mayo Clinic
Raymond A. Gensinger, Hennepin County Medical Center
Seniors:
Barbara J. Carroll, Children's Hospitals and Clinics
Andrew Galbus, Mayo Clinic
Glenn Galloway, Children's Hospitals and Clinics
Susan Heichert, Allina Hospital's and Clinics
Rick Holtmeier, Berdy Medical Systems, Inc.
Dana Kimmel, StoneBridge Group
Shawna Schueller, StoneBridge Group
Michael Tressler, StoneBridge Group
Barry M. Vornbrock, HealthPartners, Inc.
Stan Wiebe
For complete advancement information, please visit http://www.himss.org/ASP/advancement.asp
Tom Loch, Outreach Chair
Another first from the Minnesota Chapter of HIMSS! As mentioned earlier in this newsletter, we had MedCentrus video tape our December program and have formatted the program for our web site. Those of you who were unable to attend the December program will be able to view it in your office or at home. To view the program, click here: http://www.himss-mn.org/members/members.html
We are also looking for additional sites for hosting our programs. We would need to be able to accommodate up to 75 people. If you have a site or know of one, please let us know.
Susan Heichert, Member at Large
Are you currently taking courses toward a degree in a healthcare field or an information services field? Apply for our scholarship, whether you're a part-time or full-time student.
We’re looking for a few good students!!! The MN Chapter of HIMSS annually awards a $1000 scholarship to undergraduates, graduates and PhD student members of the chapter studying in the healthcare information or management systems field. Scholarships are awarded for academic excellence and the potential for future leadership in the healthcare information and management systems industry. Review criteria include as a core foundation: scholastic achievement and demonstration of leadership potential, including communication skills and participation in HIMSS activities.
Completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2005. Winners will be notified by April 1, 2005. You can access a copy of the application by visiting http://www.himss-mn.org/scholarship/scholarship.html.
For more information, e-mail Susan Heichert at heichert@comcast.net
Susan Heichert, Member at Large
Thanks to all of our new and renewing sponsors who help make it possible for us to continue providing programs to our membership.
PLATINUM
Onvoy
StoneBridge Group
GOLD
Caveo
HealthPartners
SILVER
McKesson Provider Technologies
MN-HIMSS now offers a variety of sponsorship levels with exciting benefits - Silver, Gold and Platinum. Depending on the level selected, some of the benefits include a logo and link on the MN-HIMSS web site, as well as the potential for complimentary MN-HIMSS memberships. We are currently in the renewal period for 2004-2005 and look forward to welcoming any new sponsors who would like to take advantage of this new structure! For more information, please contact Susan Heichert at heichert@comcast.net or go to our link at http://www.himss-mn.org/links/links.html
Scott Azbill, Member Relations Chair
As of December 2004, the MN Chapter of HIMSS has a total of 343 members! Below are the numbers by membership type. As is visible from the chart below, membership is on track to surpass our record high last year of 405 members.
National Members: 272
Local-only Members: 41
Student Members: 30
Dana Kimmel, Past President
The MN Chapter of HIMSS board wants to extend an invitation to YOU to get more involved in your local chapter. There are many ways you can assist us in continuing to bring quality programs to the MN membership. We have opportunites for people to help with upcoming programs, providing program or speaker suggestions, or serving as an "At Large" board member to get your feet wet! Any of these efforts only requires a small amount of time - just a few hours a month at most.
Give it a try and get to know your local chapter board officers - it's a great way to network!