In This Issue:
 President's Corner
Programs Update
2008-2009 Physician Forums
HIMSS-MN Annual Scholarship
Volunteering: A New Member's Perspective
Membership
Sponsorship Update
President's Corner
Dan Davenport, President
As we begin the 2008-2009 year for the Minnesota Chapter of HIMSS, I would like to welcome all of our new members and welcome back all of our current members. The chapter has accomplished a lot over the spring and summer months, including the completion of our 7th Annual Health Information Technology Institute, two regional summer socials, and the transition to our new board.
I would like to especially thank Margaret Senn, Ken Stensvold, Lonna Stork, and Andy Galbus for planning and coordinating the chapter’s first ever Rochester summer social. The event was a great success and provided a new networking opportunity for our members in the southern part of the state.
I hope to see as many of you as possible in the upcoming months at our chapter’s educational programs, including the first of our sessions, "Patient Information Privacy Uncovered," which is just weeks away. This year our chapter is also participating in the 2008 Midwest Technology Conference in Chicago, which will provide attendees the opportunity to meet members from other midwest chapters and hear from experts in the health and information technology field. As a HIMSS member, you are eligible for discounted registration.
Finally, I would like to thank all of our new volunteer board members. All of the board’s contributions are essential for the Minnesota chapter to succeed in its mission of providing educational and networking opportunities for professionals and students in the healthcare information technology industry.
Thanks again for your continued support of the chapter, and I look forward to meeting you throughout the year at our chapter events!
Programs Update
Pete Palmer, Programs Director
This is shaping up to be another exciting year for the Chapter programs. On September 24th we are hosting a program at the Mayo Clinic entitled “Patient Information Privacy Uncovered”. Our speakers will be Deborah C. Peel, MD a much-publicized, often-quoted expert on patient privacy, and Mr. Eric Klavetter, Director of Privacy of the Mayo Clinic. This forum will provide the opportunity for the two to compare and contrast viewpoints. The program will be teleconferenced to the Health Partner’s Superior Room in Bloomington. You can find registration information at the HIMSS-MN web site.
This program comes on the heels of the very successful 7th Annual Health Information Technology Institute. Hosted by our Chapter and the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, the 7th Annual HIT Institute brought together IT professionals, hospital and health plan executives, nurses, physicians and academia for a one-day conference in Minneapolis. Once again, it was very well attended. Keynote speakers Jeff David and Marty LaVenture got the event going in an entertaining style, and many of the breakout sessions turned out to be quite memorable.
The next Programs Committee call will be held on Tuesday, September 16th at 5 p.m. If you are interested in participating or have suggestions for future programs, please contact Pete Palmer at pete.palmer@wellsfargo.com.
2008-2009 Physician Forums
Susan Heichert, Advocacy Liaison
We’ve completed a full year of physician forums and are excited to get started on 2008-2009. Thanks to everyone for the great participation and engaging discussions. Our past topics have included: Unintended Consequences of CPOE, Data Warehouse, Quality and EHRs, and Documentation Quality and Quantity in the EHR.
If you are a physician and are interested in participating, please email Susan Heichert at susan.heichert@allina.com. Hope to see you at our next forum!
HIMSS-MN Annual Scholarship
Amy Watters and Tamara Winden, Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs
2007-2008 Winner Announced
At the 7th Annual Health Information Technology Institute in May, The Minnesota Chapter of HIMSS was pleased to announce Maggie Blechinger as the winner of our 2007-2008 scholarship. Maggie is a senior at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and will be graduating in May 2009 with a double major in Health Information Management and Computer Information Systems. Maggie recently completed a programming analyst internship at Securian in St. Paul and currently works as a Team Leader at the St. Scholastica Computer Help Desk and as an intern in the Medical Records Department at Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake. Congratulations, Maggie!
2008-2009 Application Is Now Online
The Minnesota Chapter of HIMSS will again offer support to healthcare informatics professionals through its annual scholarship award. The $1000 scholarship is awarded to students studying in the healthcare information or management systems field who display 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.
Applications are accepted through April 1, 2009. Note that students do not need to be a current member of HIMSS. Each student applicant will receive a complimentary one-year local student membership upon submission of the application.
If you have any questions regarding the scholarship, the application process, or the Minnesota Chapter of HIMSS, please visit the HIMSS-MN website (http://www.himss-mn.org/information/information.html) for application information or contact us by email at scholarship@himss-mn.org.
Volunteering: A New Member's Perspective
Kristin Hansen, At Large Director
After being a HIMSS member for a few years, and attending both local chapter programs and the national conferences, I wanted to become more involved. I wanted to help make a difference, but how? I sent a note describing my interest via the chapter's "Contact Us" link. Pam Graves, then President, called me back and we chatted about options. That was eight months ago, and with her guidance I volunteered for the Programs Committee. Currently an at-Large Director, "getting more involved" has been a rewarding and enriching experience. Everyone provides input in a group effort to pull together the program sessions. Everyone has been kind and patient with me as I learn the ropes. I have gotten more out of that initial email than I imagined possible. I encourage you to volunteer and help make a difference too.
Membership
Katie O'Brien, Membership Director
The Annual Minnesota HIMSS Twin Cities Summer Social was held on July 16th with almost 40 members in attendance. Always a highlight for the Minnesota Chapter, the Summer Social brought members together to network and toast the success of the chapter. Thanks to everyone who was able attend.
As our chapter begins another exciting year, we look forward to attending a variety of educational programs and utilizing the resources our membership provides. When you think of your co-workers and colleagues within the industry, are they connected? As we kick off the 2008 / 2009 chapter year, now is a great time to invite other healthcare IT professionals to join our organization. With local membership at $30, our HIMSS chapter provides a great way to connect with other industry professionals across Minnesota.
To learn more about joining the Minnesota Chapter, please visit http://www.himss-mn.org/membership/membership.html or email membership@himss-mn.org.
Sponsorship Update
Dan Fitzgibbons, Sponsorship Chair
Thank you to all of our 2008-2009 chapter sponsors! Our sponsors not only allow us the capability of providing educational sessions with nationally acclaimed presenters but also to provide scholarships each year for candidates in the industry. Without corporate support, an organization such as ours could not exist. Thank you for your support!
Sponsors have the opportunity to provide additional support for upcoming events and programs. Please feel free to reach out to Dan Fitzgibbons at sponsorship@himss-mn.org.
For more information, please visit our sponsorship information page at
http://www.himss-mn.org/sponsorship_program.pdf
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Be sure to check out our upcoming events at www.himss-mn.org and register online today!
September 24, 2008
Patient Information Privacy Uncovered
October 23-24, 2008
Midwest Fall Technology Conference
Thank you to all of our sponsors!
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