If you’ve spent any time outside this month, you know North Carolina has made one thing clear—the summer heat is not here to play around. Between record-setting temperatures, lingering drought conditions across much of the state, and communities gathering under fireworks to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, this has been a July to remember. While many of us have enjoyed time with family and friends, healthcare and technology professionals have done what they always do—keeping critical systems running around the clock, no matter the temperature outside.

That dedication deserves special recognition this month as we celebrate System Administrator Appreciation Day on July 31. Behind every successful software rollout, secure network, telehealth visit, electronic health record, and late-night troubleshooting call is a team of system administrators quietly ensuring healthcare never skips a beat. Their work is often invisible when everything is running smoothly, but it becomes invaluable when it matters most. To every system administrator supporting North Carolina’s healthcare organizations—thank you for all you do.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find updates on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital health, advocacy, and other developments shaping healthcare technology across our state. As always, thank you for being part of the NC HIMSS community and for the expertise, innovation, and collaboration you bring to improving healthcare for every North Carolinian.

Continue Reading for More!

  • *HIMSS North Carolina Leadership Lens
  • *Board Members Thank You
  • *Upcoming Chapter Events
  • *CAHIMS®/CPHIMS® Certification Review Course
  • *Advocacy Corner 
  • Membership Information
  • *News Across North Carolina 
  • *Sponsors & Sponsorships

HIMSS North Carolina Leadership Lens

Reflections on Graduation, Back-to-School, and Why Diversity is the Secret Code of Health IT

With summer in full swing, my household is in that classic mid-summer sweet spot—the girls are soaked in sun, enjoying their break, but as a mom, I’m already thinking ahead to the fast-approaching school year. Watching my two daughters get ready to head back to the classroom always makes me reflect on where their futures will take them.

That reflection hit even harder recently when I attended graduation at my own alma mater. I was there to celebrate an incredibly proud milestone: watching my niece walk across the stage to receive her degree in Veterinary Technology.

Because it was a joint ceremony, the Computer Science graduates were part of the same commencement. Sitting in the audience, I found myself flipping through the commencement program, looking at the names from my old department, and counting how many women were listed.

Over twenty years ago, when I graduated with my computer science degree, there were a total of just 3 women in my class. Reviewing the program that day, I counted 10 women graduating. While that is technically an increase, seeing a jump of only seven more women over the span of more than two decades felt incredibly slow—nowhere near the level of progress I would have expected for a field that has grown so massively.

It forced me to look at those pages, then think of my own two daughters, and ask: Is this the same slow arc they will face when they enter the workforce?

As the Secretary of the Board for NC HIMSS, this isn’t just a personal concern; it’s a professional imperative.

In healthcare information and technology, the solutions we design, build, and deploy are not abstract pieces of software. They are patient portals, clinical algorithms, and digital care pathways that directly impact people’s lives. Healthcare serves everyone—every background, every gender, every community across North Carolina. If our development and IT teams don’t reflect the diverse populations we serve, we risk building blind spots directly into our technology.

To build truly equitable healthcare solutions, we need diverse minds at the table. We need the problem-solving perspectives, creativity, and lived experiences that women bring to technology.

As we look toward the upcoming school year and the future of our workforce, let’s commit to accelerating that change. We need to mentor, encourage, and open doors for the next generation of girls—including my own two daughters and the brilliant young women stepping into their careers today—so that twenty years from now, the math looks entirely different.

Thank you board members!

As the HIMSS North Carolina Chapter begins a new year of leadership, we extend our sincere gratitude to Rick Reddel and Greg Foster for their dedicated service on the Board of Directors.

Your time, leadership, and commitment have helped strengthen our chapter and advance the mission of improving healthcare through information and technology. Thank you for the many contributions you’ve made to our members and the healthcare IT community across North Carolina. We wish each of you continued success and all the best in your future endeavors.

Upcoming Chapter Events

HIMSS North Carolina Artificial Intelligence Workgroup – Inaugural Meeting

First Virtual Meeting
July 22 from 10 AM – 11 AM

The countdown is on! Our first HIMSS North Carolina Chapter AI Workgroup Virtual Workshop is happening next week, and there’s still time to get involved!

 

This collaborative workgroup brings together healthcare leaders, clinicians, IT professionals, informatics teams, operational leaders, solution partners, and AI innovators to share ideas, discuss real-world use cases, and learn from one another. Topics will include AI tools, vendor evaluation, governance, risk management, clinical documentation, patient access, automation, implementation strategies, and lessons learned.

If you’d like to be part of these valuable conversations, complete the interest form and be sure to select “AI Workgroup.” We look forward to seeing you as we explore the future of AI in healthcare together!

Note: These will be held virtually once a month.

More information available here

HIMSS North Carolina Annual Conference

You’ve met our outstanding keynote speakers and had a preview of some of the exciting breakout sessions coming to the HIMSS North Carolina Chapter Annual Conference this October—and we’re thrilled to introduce two more expert presenters joining this year’s lineup!

Armando Bedoya, MD, MMCi, chief data, analytics and medical informatics officer at Duke Health, is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare data, analytics and artificial intelligence. His work focuses on leveraging AI and clinical data to improve patient outcomes, operational performance and healthcare innovation, making him a must-see presenter for anyone interested in the future of digital health.

We’re also excited to welcome Chris Sacinski, vice president of IT business systems at Advocate Health. With more than 30 years of healthcare technology leadership experience, Chris has led some of the largest ERP and cloud transformation initiatives in healthcare, including enterprise implementations spanning dozens of hospitals and supporting more than 170,000 employees. His experience leading large-scale technology transformation offers valuable insights for today’s healthcare leaders.

This is just a preview of the exceptional educational program taking shape for October. Additional presenters and breakout sessions will be announced soon, bringing together healthcare executives, clinicians, technology leaders and innovators from across North Carolina and beyond.

Registration is now open for our Annual Conference. Join healthcare and technology leaders from across the Carolinas for two days of education, networking, innovation, and collaboration focused on shaping the future of healthcare.

Take advantage of our early registration rates:

  • Members: $179
  • Non-Members: $229
  • Students: $99

Now is the perfect time to secure your spot and save.

Stay tuned—the conference agenda will be announced soon, featuring expert speakers, timely topics, and valuable insights into the latest healthcare technology trends and innovations.

Register Here

HIMSS Certifications

What Are the CAHIMS and CPHIMS Certifications?

 

The CAHIMS and CPHIMS certifications demonstrate expertise and professional achievement in healthcare information and technology management. As healthcare continues to evolve through digital transformation, certified professionals demonstrate that they possess a current, industry-recognized body of knowledge and the skills needed to lead and adapt.

The Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) credential is designed for early-career professionals and those looking to establish a strong foundation in healthcare information and technology. It validates core knowledge and helps position professionals for future growth and career advancement.

The Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) credential is intended for experienced professionals who have demonstrated expertise in healthcare information and management systems. This certification recognizes a commitment to professional excellence and lifelong learning while validating advanced knowledge and leadership in the field.

For more information, visit the HIMSS Certifications Overview page.

Next Month: What are the benefits of obtaining a CAHIMS or CPHIMS certification?

Review courses are an EXCELLENT way to prepare!

Thinking about earning your CAHIMS® or CPHIMS® certification? NCHIMSS will soon offer a low-cost Certification Review Course designed to help healthcare IT professionals strengthen their knowledge, build confidence, and prepare for exam success. The course will begin November 3, 2026, and will be held over two consecutive weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in 2.5-hour sessions. Registration opens soon—watch for details in upcoming newsletters.

 

Advocacy Corner

 

Healthcare policy continues to move quickly in North Carolina, with several developments carrying implications for healthcare leaders and the technology that supports care delivery.

This month, state leaders finalized North Carolina’s first full budget since Medicaid expansion, funding priorities that reflect an evolving healthcare landscape and continued investment in programs designed to improve access to care. Governor Josh Stein also established the North Carolina Health Care Affordability Commission to examine rising healthcare costs and identify long-term strategies to improve affordability for patients across the state.

Healthcare systems are also navigating significant operational changes. The North Carolina State Health Plan recently approved a new preferred provider structure and premium adjustments for 2027—changes expected to influence patient access, referral patterns, and healthcare delivery across the state.

For health IT professionals, these developments reinforce an important reality: technology is no longer simply supporting healthcare—it is helping shape how care is delivered, coordinated, and accessed. As payment models, affordability initiatives, and care delivery continue to evolve, interoperable systems, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital infrastructure will remain essential to improving outcomes for North Carolinians.

Sources

  • North Carolina Health News. “What’s Coming for State Employees’ Insurance in the Coming Year? Here Are the Details.” July 10, 2026.
  • North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “Governor Stein Establishes Health Care Affordability Commission Co-Chaired by NCDHHS Secretary and NC Commissioner of Insurance.” June 30, 2026.
  • WRAL News. “Premiums to Rise 5% for State Health Plan.” July 10, 2026.

Membership

HIMSS Launches Enhanced Organizational & Corporate Memberships

Beginning July 1, 2026, HIMSS is introducing enhanced North America Organizational Affiliate (OA) and Corporate Membership programs, designed to provide greater year-round value for healthcare organizations and industry partners.

These updated membership options will help organizations:

  • Accelerate digital health transformation
  • Strengthen workforce development
  • Improve organizational performance and strategic decision-making
  • Access trusted industry insights and benchmarking
  • Build meaningful peer and industry connections
  • Stay informed on emerging healthcare trends

The enhanced programs also include expanded benefits for Corporate Members, offering increased opportunities for thought leadership, market intelligence, strategic networking, and engagement across the global HIMSS community.

What this means for Chapters

These enhancements are designed to complement—not replace—the value of local HIMSS Chapters. Chapters remain the foundation for regional networking, education, mentorship, and professional development, while organizational memberships provide broader access to global HIMSS resources and expertise.

Together, organizational memberships, individual memberships, and chapter engagement create a stronger, more connected HIMSS community that advances digital health transformation at both the local and global levels.

Updated membership information and resources are now available through HIMSS.

Want to get more from your HIMSS North Carolina membership? Take advantage of the many opportunities available through the chapter by participating in upcoming events, educational programs, networking opportunities, and special interest groups.

Be sure to regularly check the chapter’s Events Calendar to stay informed about what’s happening throughout the year. https://nchimss.com/events-calendar/

Looking for a way to become more involved? Explore our volunteer opportunities and programs to connect with fellow healthcare IT professionals, develop new skills, expand your network, and help shape the future of healthcare technology in North Carolina. https://nchimss.com/programs/

Your membership is more than access—it’s an opportunity to engage, contribute, and grow within a vibrant professional community.

News

Social Media

These are the platforms where the HIMSS North Carolina Chapter actively shares updates, events, and announcements. If you’re not already following us, use the links below to stay connected.

Chapter Sponsor Highlights 

How do these sponsors support healthcare IT?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s leading cloud platform, offering more than 240 fully featured services spanning compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, security, application development, and more. Trusted by millions of organizations—from startups to global enterprises and government agencies—AWS helps customers innovate faster, improve agility, and reduce costs. Learn more at aws.amazon.com.

https://aws.amazon.com/health/

 

Armis Centrix™, the cyber exposure management platform, is powered by Armis’ AI-driven asset intelligence engine that monitors assets to identify cyber risk behaviors. It delivers actionable cyber intelligence to detect and address real-time threats across the entire attack surface. Armis Centrix™ provides organizations with the ability to build a complete cybersecurity program: Asset management, vulnerability and security findings, prioritization and remediation, and medical device security and exposure early warning.

www.armis.com

Invest in Healthcare Innovation

Secure Your Sponsorship Spot for the

2026-2027 Chapter Year!

Put your brand in front of more than 1,700 healthcare IT professionals across North Carolina through HIMSS North Carolina sponsorship opportunities.

As a sponsor, you’ll connect with healthcare executives, clinical leaders, IT innovators, consultants, vendors, and decision-makers from hospitals, health systems, universities, and organizations across the state. Showcase your solutions, build meaningful relationships, and position your company as a trusted partner helping shape the future of healthcare.

Sponsors also receive valuable opportunities to exhibit at the HIMSS North Carolina Annual Conference this October, where you’ll engage directly with attendees, demonstrate your products and services, generate qualified leads, and strengthen relationships with healthcare leaders from across the region.

Your sponsorship not only increases your visibility—it also supports HIMSS North Carolina’s mission to advance healthcare through technology, education, networking, and advocacy. With multiple sponsorship levels available, there’s an opportunity to align your organization with one of North Carolina’s leading healthcare IT communities while making a lasting impact.

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.