ATLANTA – The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society announced the 2008 recipients of the HIMSS Nicholas E. Davies Public Health Award of Excellence at the Centers for Disease Control Public Health Information Network Conference this week.

The two public health recipients honored are the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, Cherokee, N.C., and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Trenton, N.J.

The HIMSS Davies Public Health Award recognizes the impact of information technology and information management on improving the health of a defined population. Applicants must show enhanced care of the overall population, such as a public health department that routinely uses data from its healthcare IT system for more effective care delivery by establishing additional clinics or issuing multi-language alert.

"This year's PHIN conference theme [Public Health Informatics: Collaboration at the Crossroads] offers an ideal setting to announce the Davies award recipients," said Steven J. Steindel, chairman of the HIMSS Davies Public Health Award Committee, and senior adviser for standards and vocabulary at the CDC.

Steindel noted that the value and contributions of public health become even more useful with the implementation of the electronic health record.

"The members of our HIMSS Davies Public Health Award Committee recognize and applaud the accomplishments these two public health recipients have achieved," he said.

The Cherokee Indian Hospital is the public health provider for over 10,000 members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. CIHA is the governing body for the hospital as an independent component of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Tribal government.