HIMSS Chapter Leader eNews | January 2015

Chapter Leader eNews

Chapter Leader eNews
In This Issue - January 2015

This issue of Chapter Leader eNews focuses on Resources and Training for Incoming leaders.

Have a question, comment or idea?
Contact Chapter Staff.

Section Index

Important Notes
Tools and Resources


Important Notes

HIMSS15 Chapter Leader Planning
As a HIMSS chapter leader, it is important to prepare for 2015 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition.  Below are activities that chapter leaders who plan to attend HIMSS15 in April should be aware of.

  • Chapter Leadership Workshop – The workshop on Sunday, April 12 from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the convention center, is open to all chapter leaders.  Register in advance.
  • Promote HIMSS15 and chapter membership – HIMSS is created a chapter Marketing Toolkit to help promote  HIMSS15 to all healthcare professionals. Encourage chapter members to attend.
  • Chapter Receptions – Those hosting a chapter event at conference have been receiving emails to confirm the details.  Please look for emails requiring responses.
  • HIMSS Block Party - Chapters have the opportunity to host a table at the HIMSS Block Party pending space availability – Wednesday, April 15 from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in the convention center.  (This is the event formerly known as Community Open House) Submit through this HIMSS Block Party survey request.
  • Discount Code - As a token of appreciation, all chapter leaders a $100 discount off one regular individual HIMSS15 full registration fee. This discount is non-transferable and only one promo code (discount) is allowed per person. To apply the discount you must register online and enter the promotional code 15ACDFCHP. For those who registered without the code,  please send an email to Chapter Staff  to ensure that the discount is applied.
  • Chapter Awards - The 2014 Awards and Recognition Program call for nominations is closed.  The winners will be announced shortly and acknowledged at the awards ceremony at HIMSS15. 

Find the most updated information on the CLRA at clra.himsschapter.org>get involved.  Please send any questions to chapters@himss.org

2014 Chapter Award Recipients
Recognizing outstanding contributions to HIMSS and the healthcare industry, HIMSS named its 2014 award and scholarship recipients. In addition, the HIMSS Foundation and three HIMSS chapters provided seven scholarships to students enrolled in health IT and management systems degree programs.

Award winners are nominated in four award categories:  industry service, HIMSS service, publications and chapters.   All award and scholarship recipients will be honored at the HIMSS Awards Gala on Tuesday, April 14 during the 2015 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, Ill.  HIMSS would like to thank the hard work of all of the chapter leadership, but in particular the 2014 Chapter Award winners below:

Chapter of the Year Award

  • Nebraska Chapter -Small
  • Arizona Chapter- Medium
  • Southern California Chapter- Large

Chapter Leader of the Year Award

  • Kevin Conway

January 2015 Chapter Leader Webinar
The most recent HIMSS Chapter Leader Webinar was held Jan. 15.  During this session HIMSS staff members shared information pertaining to the 2015 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition. This time was used to better educate chapter leaders for chapter offerings and activities at HIMSS15, which included a conference overview, following by discussing the 2015 Chapter Workshop, HIMSS Chapter Receptions, the HIMSS Block Party and the HIMSS15 Chapters Toolkit. 

Listen to the webinar recording, and stay tuned for upcoming Chapter Leader Webinars!

Chapter Marketing Toolkit
Promote chapters’ HIMSS15 participation with customizable marketing materials.  The HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition is the destination for thousands of health IT professionals from around the world. This site contains complimentary tools to help chapter leaders create customized materials to market chapters’ HIMSS15 participation and promote attendance to members.

The items in the Chapter Marketing Toolkit will allow chapter leadership to insert chapter name, logo and other copy in a template format.   Please note that because the full-page and half-page ads are considered HIMSS property, customized ads must be approved by HIMSS prior to publication. Please send a PDF to Brook Butterfield, senior manager, creative services, marketing, HIMSS, for approval, and allow two days for turnaround.  Each item contains supporting files for quick, easy customization.

New Chapter Formation: Lubbock, TX
HIMSS is pleased to welcome a new chapter to the HIMSS family.  The Lubbock Texas Chapter of HIMSS was approved during the December 2014 HIMSS Board meeting, making it the 55th HIMSS chapter. They proudly serve the northwestern region of Texas.  While it is just the beginning of the onboarding process, local chapters are encouraged to reach out to Lubbock to offer support.  Feel free to send any outreach to Lubbock.info@himsschapter.org

President – Travis Hanson
President Elect – Bruce Edmunds
Treasurer – Cappi Phillips
Communications/Marketing Chair – Carson Scott

Volunteer for HIMSS Committees
HIMSS is pleased to announce the open application period for HIMSS Committees. In this key role, available for a term of two fiscal years, committee volunteers play an instrumental part in leading and executing the strategic initiatives of HIMSS while building a strong network and expanding professional development opportunities. Committee participation is open to all HIMSS members who are not currently serving in other leadership positions within the Society, and have maintained active membership for at least the past 12 consecutive months. Apply now and be part of a movement dedicated to transformation and advancement of health IT.

Tools and Resources

Chapter Website Update
Thank you to all leaders for continued updates to the chapter websites. The hard part of the transition is over.  From this point on improvements will enhance the sites’ functionality and continue to make the sites easier to use.
On Friday, Jan. 23, HIMSS Operations hosted a webinar to review the website development, future plans, and list of resources available.  A brief recap follows:

  • Feb 4:  the chapter sites along with HIMSS and HIMSSAC will undergo site maintenance and will not be accessible during the hours of 6-9pm EST.
  • Training documents can be found here on the Chapter Leader Resource Area. Staff is uploading new documents every few days once they pass testing.
  • The CLRA is not fully accessible by all leaders due to the maintenance that must be conducted on Feb 4.  If you need a specific training document, please contact chapter staff.
  •  Email: if you forgot a password, need to change email address in the group, need to create a group or otherwise, send an email to Tammy Kwiatkoski, senior manager, operations, HIMSS.
  • Audits are complete and best practices will be sent out within the next two weeks
  • Phase 2:
    • 1/26 Requirements are written and in review to the HIMSS internal team
    • 1/30 Requirements sent to Results Direct for review and creation of a Statement of Work (SOW)
    • 2/9 Results Direct SOW reviewed by HIMSS internal team
    • 2/16 Anticipated approval (exact timeline of implementation to be provided from Results Direct from this point)

HIMSS Chapter Advocacy
HIMSS mobilizes its members to successfully accomplish multiple levels of advocacy activities that are fueled by its members’ passion and experience. Chapters are encouraged to designate one or more members to act as a “lead” for advocacy events, campaigns and outreach initiatives. Generally given the title “Chapter Advocate,” these leaders are also often identified as advocacy chairs, advocacy co-chairs or advocacy liaison.

Chapter advocates across the United States connect with one another through the Chapter Advocacy Roundtable (CAR).  The CAR is open to any HIMSS member interested in advocacy and willing to volunteer their time to support HIMSS advocacy initiatives at the grassroots level. Through monthly conference calls, meetings and annual events, the CAR provides a networking and educational opportunity for chapter advocates.

Available Chapter Advocacy Tools:

The following chapters are still search for chapter advocates: Indiana, Midwest Gateway, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Northern Ohio, Oklahoma, San Antonio, South Dakota,Western Pennsylvania.  Contact Julie Brown, associate manager, HIMSS state government affairs at for further information concerning becoming a part of the CAR.

Upcoming Chapter Events

Leadership and Networking Event: Second City | Greater Chicago HIMSS Chapter
Chicago, IL | Jan 28

2015 MDHIMSS Winter Education Session | Maryland HIMSS Chapter
Baltimore, MD | Jan 29

Winter Symposium: Translating Meaningful Use into Meaningful Care | Delaware Valley HIMSS Chapters
Malvern, PA | Jan 29

5th Annual Privacy & Security Forum | Southern California HIMSS Chapter
Newport Beach, CA | Jan 30

Evolution of Healthcare IT | Heart of America HIMSS Chapter
Kansas City, MO | Feb 4

Healthcare Informatics Winter Event | Colorado HIMSS Chapter
Aurora, CO | Feb 5

February 2015 Lunch & Learn | Austin HIMSS Chapter
Austin, TX | Feb 10

2015 Annual Workshop, Networking Reception, and Winter Dinner | North Carolina HIMSS Chapter
Concord, NC | Feb 12

Upper Great Plains Chapters of HIMSS | Clinical Informatics Boot Camp
The Lodge at Deadwood Gaming Resort - Deadwood, South Dakota | Feb 12

2015 Annual Workshop, Networking Reception & Winter Dinner | North Carolina HIMSS Chapter
Concord, NC | Feb 15

2015 Texas HIMSS Chapters Regional Conference
Austin, TX | Feb 18

More Events

Connect With HIMSS
Expand your network by connecting to HIMSS on these social media sites:
Connect with HIMSS on LinkedIn Follow HIMSS on Twitter Connect with HIMSS on Google Plus