2020 -2021 Presidents Message

 

Welcome to the NEHIMSS Chapter website, a valuable resource to connect and network with thought leaders, advisors, and colleagues working every day to support the transformation of health through information and technology. Whether you produce, use, store, move, or analyze information, or if you work with the technologies that support these activities, we have a wealth of resources and events throughout the year to support you.

This coming year brings a challenge none of us have faced in our lifetime: a global pandemic. Along with having to care for our loved ones and those around us, we have also found ourselves in uncharted waters. Questions many of us have asked include, but are not limited to: How will this impact my job? Will I continue to have a job? How will this impact my family? What work is the industry doing to help improve this situation?
 

We at NEHIMSS are feeling those same emotions, and we want to continue to keep our members and non-members engaged, educated, and informed of interests and topics that are going to continue being relevant at this time. Given the current climate, we must re-double our efforts towards our networking and educational programs. We want to be there for you and help shape the answers to many of your questions.

This time around we will be hosting a significant number of our events virtually. Newly designed programs will include:

  • Monthly virtual educational events
  • Monthly virtual evening networking events
  • Monthly virtual sponsorship educational events
  • All day virtual conferences

I am excited about what we have in store this year. Each one of our committees will be engaged throughout the year and will not be limited to just a one-time event. This will bring a little more of the spotlight to each team, which we have never been able to do before. The virtual platform now allows for that. I encourage all of you to keep an eye out on our website and emails for events and programs that will keep you abreast of the current hot topics surrounding COVID-19, including its impact on cybersecurity, HIE, public policy, and workforce development. We will have some amazing health leaders and influencers sharing their experiences with all of you on these and many other areas of interest.

Now more than ever we need to recognize and acknowledge our Sponsors. I cannot begin to emphasize how much we depend on their generosity and participation to bring these planned events. We are committed to supporting them as well by bringing several opportunities for them so that they too will have the chance to interact with many of you. I want to thank them for their endorsement and continued support of the chapter and our members.

Some things haven't changed, and volunteers continue to be at the core of our organization. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our Board of Directors for more information.

While we may not be able to see each other face-to-face in the immediate future, COVID-19 has opened many new opportunities for us that will have a lasting footprint for our Chapter in years to come. I am looking forward to the challenge it brings and hope that all of you will continue to support us through this endeavor. Remember we are in this TOGETHER!

 

Amy Chacko

President, New England HIMSS

ne.president@himsschapter.org