As we step into 2026, January invites us to turn vision into action and set the tone for a year of innovation and collaboration across North Carolina’s healthcare IT community. The new year brings timely observances such as National Blood Donor Month and Cervical Health Awareness Month—powerful reminders of how technology, data, and interoperability continue to expand access, enhance prevention, and improve patient outcomes. January is also a time to reset priorities, align strategies, and explore what’s next as healthcare organizations prepare for an evolving digital landscape.

In this issue, we’ll focus on opportunities to connect, learn, and lead sharing insights, upcoming events, and resources designed to support your goals in 2026. Whether you’re refining technology roadmaps, strengthening partnerships, or planning for the challenges ahead, January is about starting strong and building momentum for a year of meaningful impact.

Upcoming Events

2025 – 2026 Board Members

This group of healthcare and health IT leaders brings a wide range of experience and perspectives from across the state. They’re focused on creating meaningful programs, building strong connections within our community, and supporting HIMSS’s mission to advance healthcare through information and technology. We’re excited about the year ahead and the work this board will do for our members.

We are proud to exhibit at the 47th Annual Minority Health Conference

We are proud to exhibit at the 47th Annual Minority Health Conference, themed “Uniting Words and Worlds: Innovation in Health Communication.” By participating in this long-standing event, NC HIMSS supports the conference’s mission to advance health equity and strengthen how communities connect, communicate, and access care through innovative health information and technology.

More Information

Going to HIMSS 2026?

Don’t Miss the Mid-Atlantic
Chapters Networking Event

Join the Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia HIMSS Chapters for an evening of networking, collaboration, and connection while at HIMSS26! This special joint reception brings together health IT professionals, innovators, and leaders from across the Mid-Atlantic region to celebrate our shared commitment to advancing healthcare through technology.

Whether you’re a long-time HIMSS member or new to the community, this event is the perfect place to connect with colleagues, meet chapter leaders, and discover new opportunities for involvement.

Register Here

Introducing NC HIMSS Connect:
Pop-Up Networking Events Across North Carolina

NC HIMSS is excited to launch a new initiative for chapter members in 2026: NC HIMSS Connect —a series of small, informal pop-up networking events designed to bring our community together to connect over drinks, shared ideas, and great conversation at a local venue. We’ve heard it loud and clear: there is a strong desire to reconnect face-to-face throughout the year, share ideas, and build relationships with peers across the health IT ecosystem.

Our first pop-up, NC HIMSS Connect Wilmington, will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 PM at Front Street Brewery. This gathering will feature very laid back, open networking in a relaxed setting. This is a pay-your-own-way gathering, with food and drinks available for purchase at the venue.

This is just the beginning — the goal of NC HIMSS Connect is to host pop-up events in each region of the state throughout the year, creating more opportunities for meaningful, local connections.

We look forward to seeing you out in the community.

NC HIMSS Mentorship Program

The NC HIMSS Mentorship Program connects healthcare IT professionals at all career stages with experienced industry leaders to support professional growth, skill development, and career planning. Designed to be flexible and goal‑oriented, the program offers meaningful guidance while fitting easily into a busy schedule.

Call for Mentors

NC HIMSS is actively seeking additional mentors who are passionate about developing future healthcare IT leaders. Mentorship requires approximately one hour or less per month, making it a high‑impact, low‑time‑commitment way to give back, share expertise, and strengthen our professional community.Whether you’re new to mentoring or a seasoned leader, your perspective can make a lasting difference. Apply today!

News

Sponsors and Sponsorship

How do these sponsors support healthcare IT?

Concord Technologies is a leading provider of secure document exchange, intelligent document processing, and interoperability solutions for healthcare and other highly regulated industries. For over 20 years, Concord has securely processed billions of sensitive records across its digital health network and now handles more than 4 billion pages of protected data annually. The company is also known for its AI-driven Concord Connect suite, which helps organizations reduce administrative burden, improve efficiency, and lower costs. https://concord.net/

 

Katalyst is a premier managed service provider helping healthcare organizations stay secure, connected, and compliant through proactive IT management, cybersecurity, and scalable cloud solutions. Acting as an extension of your IT team, Katalyst protects patient data, maintains system uptime, and supports care delivery with a client-first approach. https://www.katalystng.com/

 

TierPoint is a leading provider of secure hybrid IT solutions, powering the digital transformation of thousands of clients. They operate dozens of cloud-ready data centers in 20 markets and offer a comprehensive portfolio of cloud solutions, colocation, disaster recovery, security, and other managed IT services. http://www.tierpoint.com/

 

Secure a sponsorship spot for NC HIMSS events for the 2026-2027 year! Click here to Become a Sponsor – North Carolina HIMSS (nchimss.org). For questions, please contact McRay Simmons.