Hello chapter members,

National Health IT Week was September 26-30^th which gave our industry the visibility it deserves in a crowded sea of healthcare issues facing our country.  Each year we gain momentum in promoting the smart use of technology to solve complex IT issues.  I’m currently reading “The Innovator’s Prescription: A Disruptive Solution for Health Care” by Clayton Christensen.  In this book he describes how other industries have transformed and makes the case that healthcare is not that different from other industries in how technology can transform an industry (despite the long held belief that it is.)   It’s a great book that I highly recommend.

What makes HIMSS impactful is not just the technologies we use but the people that drive the industry.  The Austin HIMSS chapter is very fortunate to have several members who fall into this category.  Recently, one of the founding members of our chapter, Emma Cartmell, partner of Exsede LLC was recently named to the National HIMSS Board of Directors.   This is a significant professional milestone and we are very fortunate to have her as a member of our chapter.   Congratulations Emma!

Our next event on November 8^th will feature Jen Ohlson, Founder and President of Interactive Health Technologies.  Mrs. Ohlson will discuss the technologies behind her goal to improve the overall health and fitness of school aged children.  Her impressive background as both a competitive athlete and a technologist is helping hundreds of thousands of children all over the world improve their health.  This session will be a nice compliment to previous presenters, discussing wearables, Internet of Things (IoT), and improving the health of populations at risk. Click here to RSVP.

All the best,

-Doug Burkott, FHIMSS

President, Austin HIMSS Chapter