Spring has arrived, bringing with it a fresh bloom of possibilities in the healthcare industry. As April unfolds, we find ourselves in a season of renewal, innovation, and continued transformation across the industry. In this edition of our newsletter, we embrace the spirit of spring and its new opportunities toward a brighter, healthier future.
Recent Chapter Activities & Updates
HIMSS North Carolina president-elect Jon Brown is retiring from his position of division CIO at HCA Healthcare in Asheville. Congratulations Jon on your retirement. With his announcement, Jon subsequently submitted his resignation from the HIMSS North Carolina board to chapter president Leslie Cothren. The board has appointed Tim Gray, lead health innovation officer and industry advisor at Microsoft and current HIMSS North Carolina chapter secretary, to fulfill the remainder of FY24 as president-elect. Tim is well-equipped to lead the chapter forward as president beginning July 1, 2024. Congratulations Tim on your appointment as president-elect. We appreciate both Jon and Tim’s leadership!
North Carolina HIMSS Electing New Board Members
Chapter nominations for open board positions for the 2024-2025 year are coming to a close. Watch for updates on the election in an upcoming newsletter.
NC Epic User’s Group Meeting
The NC UGM was on March 25th – 26th, 2024 and hosted at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC. Watch for information on next year’s event!
Upcoming Events
DEI Industry Trends Webinar
April 25th at 11am
This webinar will drive engaging conversation about industry trends that promote accessibility (April 25th, 11 am), followed by discussion on how technology, particularly AI solutions, can effectively support these trends.
- Clinician burnout
- Increasing shortfall of clinicians
- Retail buying into healthcare space
Spring Social – Data Sharing and Patient Privacy
May 1st from 4p – 8p
Join us at the Drive Shack in Raleigh for an evening of insightful information, great networking opportunities and GOLF!
Register Here
CPHIMS Certification Prep Course
Starting May 14th
The prep course helps members prepare to take the CPHIMS certification exam. This course covers key content areas and provides valuable test-taking to help succeed.
Register Here
DEI Inclusive Work Environment Webinar
May 16th at 11am
Learn how a work environment designed with accessibility in mind can impact the experience of providers, staff, and patients alike.
- Building an inclusive work environment
- Creating an inclusive experience for patients and customers
NC HIMSS Fall Conference – “Building the Future of Health Together”
October 10th – 11th, Wrightsville Beach
The call for abstracts will be opening soon.
Workgroups
Cybersecurity (Mark Mormann)
Lead efforts to educate and guide the chapter in cybersecurity awareness and activities.
- Excited to announce we added a new workgroup member…the Executive Director of the Carolina Cyber Center
- Planning the “Patient Privacy and Data Sharing” Spring Social, scheduled for May 1st.
Informatics (Malcolm Sanderson)
Guide chapter efforts to improve patient care and outcomes using information and technology.
Join this workgroup and participate in the dialogue! Some of the topics being tackled:
- LOINC/RxNorm Mapping – Closing care gaps, problem-oriented charting
- Multi-EHR system data aggregation – Supporting people investing in data warehousing
- Standardizing benchmarks/care pathways
DEI in Healthcare IT (Jennifer Jury)
Provide opportunities to help promote the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the healthcare technology professions.
- April 25th – Industry Trends Webinar
- May 16th – DEI Inclusive Work Environment Webinar. Here is a glimpse into the life of one of our speakers, Laurie Allen,
- We will meet with the Novant Pharmacy Team that worked with Zipline on a drone project to address health equity.
- Join this team and become part of knowledge sharing and learning!
Emerging Leaders (Blake Jones)
Provide opportunities for dialogue, learning, and support to emerging leaders in healthcare information and technology.
- If you’d like to join us, or learn more about our meeting rhythms or content, please feel free to reach out to Blake for more information.
Become a workgroup member today! If you are interested in joining the planning committee for any of these Workgroups, please email Steffany Whiting.
News
Across North Carolina
- Investment in Strengthening North Carolina’s Behavioral Health Crisis Response System
- Providers Betting Big on Future of Hospital at Home
- Governor Cooper Announces Over 400,000 North Carolinians Have Enrolled to Receive Lifesaving Health Care Under Medicaid Expansion
- Governor Proclaims North Carolina Healthcare Decisions Month 2024
Facilities
- Cone Health’s Dr. Olu Jegede Named to Prominent List of Health Care Innovators
- Dr. Roxie Wells named chief physician executive officer for patient experience at Novant Health
- Dr. Eric J. DeMaria named ECU Health’s chief of surgery, chair of the Department of Surgery for the Brody School of Medicine at ECU
- ECU Health partners with NCDHHS to host youth mental health conference
- Blue Cross NC Acquires FastMed’s NC Locations, Names CEO
- HC3 warns of social engineering attacks targeting IT help desk
Sponsors and Sponsorship
This month we highlight and thank two NC HIMSS sponsors: Crown Castle and NC Telehealth Network Association.
Crown Castle works closely with community members, government officials, and customers to design and build solutions that meet their unique connectivity needs from wireless coverage to smart city solutions to custom fiber optic networks.
Learn More
The NC Telehealth Network Association (NCTNA) is a nonprofit that works to connect and empower North Carolina’s public and non-profit healthcare providers. As a telehealth consortium led by industry experts, NCTNA specializes in two areas: broadband connectivity and federally funded discounts on broadband for eligible providers. Becoming a subscribing member of the NCTNA network means that as a health care provider, you have access to the most reliable and secure statewide fiber optic broadband network and to discounts funded by the FCC’s Health Care Connect Fund (HCF).
Learn More
Become an NC HIMSS Sponsor
Thank you to all of our sponsors for supporting healthcare IT, healthcare delivery, and the health of all of us across North Carolina! Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Regards from the NC HIMSS Board of Directors
