Strong Leadership Recognized at Ohio Healthcare IT Day

Key Leaders recognized at Ohio’s 7^th Annual Health Information Technology Day

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 15, 2014 / – Over 200 Health Information Technology (HIT) advocates descended on the Ohio Statehouse to highlight the importance of Telehealth and other forms of HIT in providing a positive impact in reducing cost, improving patient access and increasing quality care to patients across Ohio.

The Atrium of the Ohio Statehouse was the epicenter of the 7^th annual Ohio Healthcare Information Technology Day 2014 on Thursday, April 3^rd, 2014. The daylong event was sponsored by the Central & Southern Ohio HIMSS Chapter (CSOHIMSS), www.csohimss.org Northern Ohio HIMSS Chapter (NOHIMSS), www.nohimss.org Ohio Health Information Management Association (OHIMA) www.ohima.org and College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHiME) www.cio-chime.org. These organizations represent more than 3,000 Ohioans who are dedicated to improving healthcare for all Ohioans through the use of Healthcare Information Technology.

State Senator Shannon Jones, who represents the 7^th Senate District in Ohio spoke on the importance of Health Information Technology (IT) in reducing Infant Mortality as well as many other potential benefits of Health IT.  For her work in the advancement of HIT across Ohio and for her leadership in the optimal use of IT for the betterment of healthcare Senator Jones was awarded the 2014 Ohio Healthcare Information Technology Senate Legislator of the Year award.

State Representative Ann Gonzales, who represents the 19^th House District in Ohio spoke about her work as the Primary Sponsor of House Bill 123 which the Ohio State Legislature unanimously approved earlier this year.  This bill provides Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth services resulting in expanded access to healthcare for patients.  For her work in the advancement of HIT across Ohio and for her leadership in the optimal use of IT for the betterment of healthcare Representative Gonzales was awarded the 2014 Ohio Healthcare Information Technology House Legislator of the Year award.

Also features was a CIO panel sponsored by representatives of Ohio CHIME comprised of leading CIOs from Ohio Hospitals discussing various challenges facing Healthcare IT today.  Ms. Rose Ann Laureto of ProMedica Health System was selected among a very competitive field of candidates to receive the coveted 2014 Ohio Healthcare Information Technology CIO of the Year award for her leadership in the optimal use of Information Technology for the betterment of healthcare.

In addition to legislative visits other highlights of the event included a live Telehealth exhibit by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield where Legislators and attendees were able to interact with physicians in real time using a webcam via the Live Health Online service (www.livehealthonline.com).   Also the event was distinguished as the first ever Advocacy Day to provide remote attendance by video conference.  This was hosted in Cleveland at the HIMSS Innovation Center (www.himssinnovationcenter.org) inside the newly opened site of the Global Center for Health Innovation (www.theglobalcenter.com).