Well, it is an exciting time at HIMSS.  There’s always so much energy and things to accomplish in support of the HIMSS’ mission.  Right now, the HIMSS Annual Conference is in the planning and execution stages;  the current list of activities, speakers and technology innovations to be seen at this upcoming conference will be “show stoppers” to stay the least.  HIMSS has always prided itself on having a membership of nationally recognized speakers in support of our members’ learning curve; all in an effort to keep in step and engaged in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.  This upcoming conference promises to be the best of all time.  Registration for HIMSS12 is now open. You can also sign on HIMSS12 registration, education sessions, exhibit hall events, discounts — as well as other HIMSS news and events.

And, just to provide a sneak peak from the past:  HIMSS 2011 Annual Conference had a  total registration well over 31,225, which was an 18% increase over HIMSS10; professional attendance outpaced HIMSS10 by 7%; over 43% of professional registrants came from healthcare provider settings; 7% from government settings, and 9% from other organizations aligned with the field (payers, life sciences, academic institutions, etc.); 17% of registrants were CIOs or other senior-level IT executives; an additional 17% were  non-IT members of the C-suit and over 1300 registrants (or 9%) were from international locations – an increase of 27%.  One word can explain this depth and breadth of past annual conference attendance: “wow”.

The record breaking attendance in Orlando was a strong indication that the health information technology world relies heavily on HIMSS for health IT knowledge and solutions to support the ever changing landscape in healthcare IT.  Additionally, because of our record breaking academic submissions this year, all vetted through peer reviewed processes, HIMSS12 is shaping up to be the essential conference for all looking to acquire new clients and nurture and expand  existing relationships along with learning the latest nuances in health IT.

HIMSS12, ( being held in Las Vegas, Monday February 20, 2012 through Friday February 24, 2012), will have more than 300 education sessions to choose from and all sessions can customize a person’s own agenda to meet their individual career goal needs.  There are over twenty-three educational topic categories including such topics as: mobile health, business and clinical analytics, connecting with consumers, care coordination, accountability for care and meaningful use all in an effort to lay the building blocks of career paths and future successes in support of the healthcare changes anticipated in the years ahead.

As an example of an educational event:  if you want to get a level setting view of health information today – register for the workshop:  HIT101: An Introduction to Healthcare and IT enabling Technologies.  This workshop helps to provide an understanding of the role of IT within our healthcare system given by none other than Marion Ball and Karen Ondo, both well known senior level health IT executives who have been role models for all, helping to shape health IT as we know it today.  You must register early as the seats are limited for this workshop (Monday February 20, 2012 – Workshop F).  This is also a good workshop for anyone interested in the ABC’s of health IT today, particularly our emerging professional’s community! 

And stay tuned for more information as it becomes available and remember...Be passionate about your career path and strive to make a difference and learn, learn...learn.  Technology is only the enabler; individuals will be the “transformers” of health IT in the years to come!
 

Helen Figge is Senior Director of Career Services at HIMSS.