Baltimore, MD (December 13, 2018) – The Maryland HIMSS Chapter is thrilled to announce the Charity Program recipient for 2018-2019 as Helping Up Mission (HUM), a Greater Baltimore nonprofit providing hope to people experiencing homelessness, poverty or addiction by meeting their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. 

During the recent Maryland HIMSS Educational Event, the Community Outreach Program Committee presented Martha Robison, Philanthropy Officer and Brett Hartnett, Education and Workforce Development Administrator and former HUM participant, with the news that their organization was selected to receive $2,500 for educational software preparing men to obtain their Maryland High School diploma (GED prep) and procure tablets for the purpose of men re-entering the workforce becoming proficient with the most up-to-date technology.

“As an organization supporting Maryland’s healthcare transformation and the expansion of access to quality care, the Maryland HIMSS Community Outreach Program Committee felt strongly about funding an association whose mission was to assist individuals with their overall health needs,” says Kyle Swarts, Board Member and Chair, Community Outreach Committee, Maryland HIMSS Chapter. “In a world where we are fighting battles of addiction, poverty and homelessness, we are certain that this donation will help the hundreds who participate in the Helping Up Mission experience.”

“Bridging the gap of healthcare for those in need is a challenge; we have a great responsibility to improve the overall health of our community.  With our commitment to promote and collaborate grassroots efforts that advance health with the use of technology, Maryland HIMSS is hoping to make an impact on those men and women who land in the helping hands at Helping Up Mission,” stated Karen Marie Wilding, President, Maryland HIMSS Chapter. 

“We are beyond grateful for the generous donation from Maryland HIMSS.  Our mission is transformation, and we believe that the steady stream of support we receive allows Helping Up Mission to grow strategically – ensuring ever more men and women will receive integrated healthcare, basic life needs, counseling and education, workforce training and life skills,” says Martha Robison, Philanthropy Officer, Helping Up Mission. “With this gift, we will experience increased capacity in the number of patients served, improved health care outcomes, and improved client outcomes in drug and alcohol recovery.”

The Maryland Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) mission and vision aligns to the core values and attributes of HUM. Consistent with our local and national agenda, HUM assists with:

• Supporting Healthcare Transformation
• Expanding Access to High Quality Care
• Increasing Economic Opportunity
• Making Communities Healthier

About HIMSS

HIMSS is a global voice, advisor and thought leader of health transformation through health information and technology with a unique breadth and depth of expertise and capabilities to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of health, healthcare and care outcomes. HIMSS designs and leverages key data assets, predictive models and tools to advise global leaders, stakeholders and influencers of best practices in health information and technology, so they have the right information at the point of decision.

HIMSS drives innovative, forward thinking around best uses of information and technology in support of better connected care, improved population health and low cost of care. HIMSS is a not-for-profit, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in North America, Europe, United Kingdom and Asia.

About Maryland HIMSS Chapter

The Maryland Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) provides leadership in the advancement and effective use of technology for all aspects of care.

We have over 2000 members throughout the state and growing! Our membership includes individuals in the fields of information systems, government & policy, clinicians & allied health, bio-medical engineers, telehealth & more. We support and serve academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, government and for profit companies in health care delivery, managed care, consulting and technology.

Our goal is to provide professional development through high quality educational sessions and by creating networking opportunities throughout the year for all of our members. Maryland HIMSS also offers several volunteer opportunities with committees, including program planning, membership, advocacy, professional development, CXO, and communications.

About Helping Up Mission

Helping Up Mission (HUM) is an IRS designated 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 1885 to meet the needs of Baltimore City’s and the surrounding counties’ poor and underserved residents. For 133 years, HUM has developed deep roots among the inner city’s poor and homeless, helping countless individuals overcome poverty, homelessness, and addiction. HUM is located on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street in the Historic Jonestown community of Baltimore City. HUM serves 580 men and women daily ranging from Emergency Overnight Shelter to the largest long-term recovery program in Maryland, the one-year Spiritual Recovery Program. HUM’s programming is guided by our mission statement: Helping Up Mission provides hope to people experiencing homelessness, poverty or addiction by meeting their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.

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Left to right:

Kyle Swarts, Senior Vice President & Partner, RoundTable Strategic Solutions, MD HIMSS Community Outreach Program Committee Chair

Marianne Berger, Practice Transformation Specialist, UMSS QCN, MD HIMSS Community Outreach Program Committee Member

Martha Robison, Philanthropy Officer, Helping Up Mission

Brett Hartnett, Education and Workforce Development Administrator and former Helping Up Mission participant

Brian Fay, Regional VP, Tanium, MD HIMSS Community Outreach Program Committee Member