Louisiana Chapter of HIMSS Newsletter for Spring 2017

Chapter volunteers participated in several events at the HIMSS 17 Conference, held this past February in Orlando, Florida. First on the agenda was the GC3 reception which was held at the Copper Canyon Grill. This event is held in conjunction with chapters from Alabama and Mississippi. Louisiana members also welcomed volunteers and leaders from other states with Mardi Gras beads and Zapps chips at the HIMSS Communities Open House. The highlight for the conference was the HIMSS Awards Gala, a black tie event held at the Wynn Hotel and Resort. The HIMSS Awards Gala is a time for celebration and for recognizing members who have added their unique sparkle and verve to the industry. Our own Alan Thriffiley, Jr., CPHIMS, FHIMSS received the Distinguished Fellows Service Award. According to HIMSS, this award recognizes commendable and long-standing contributions to the Society made by a Fellow Member. The Distinguished Fellows Service Award can be made for a single exceptional contribution, for a sustained contribution, or for a lifetime of exceptional service. Congratulations to Alan and many thanks to the volunteers who represented Louisiana at the conference.


Left to right: Beth Halley Vice-Chair, HIMSS North America Board of Directors, Alan Thriffiley and Michael H. Zaroukian, MD, PhD, FACP, FHIMSS, Chair, HIMSS North America Board of Directors

  
Left to right: Chad Cothern, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Liz Hartley, and Alan Thriffiley
    
 
Left to right: Chad Cothern, Nadine Robin, and Alan Thriffiley

In March the chapter co-sponsored the North Louisiana Health Data Analytics Conference. The conference which was hosted by Louisiana Tech University, brought together industry and education leaders to advocate for a healthier Louisiana and to identify potential areas for research and training collaborations. Dr. Rebecca Gee, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, presented the keynote address on “The State of the State”. Other presentations were given by Dr. Tom Carton of REACHnet and Dr. Chindo Hicks, Professor of Genetics at LSU Health Sciences Center.

Four panel discussions were also held including a CIO panel with moderator Jason Thomas, CIO, Director of Information Technology, Green Clinic Health System and panelists Kenneth Brown, CIO, LSUHSC, Angela Costakis, CIO Claiborne Memorial Health Center, Hank Fanberg, Office of the CIO – Technology Advocacy, CHRISTUS Health,  Marcus Hobgood, CIO, University Health Systems, and Vicky Morgan, CIO Willis-Knighton Health System. The Industry Panel was moderated by Sumeet Dua, PhD, College of Engineering and Science, Louisiana Tech with panelists Justin Bronder, Principal Strategy SDE, Microsoft, John Knies, Director and Chief Information Security Officer, CenturyLink, Peter Lee, Vice President, Health Care Analytics, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Brian Michl, Chief Technology Officer, Health and Civil, CSRA. The Research Panel with moderator Mike Brunet, PhD, Regional Director, CHRISTUS Institute for Innovation and- Advanced Clinical Care and panelists Prerna Dua, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Informatics and Information Management, Louisiana Tech, Sumeet Dua, PhD, Associate Dean, College of Engineering and Science, Louisiana Tech, Ronald Horswell, PhD, Director of Biomedical Informatics, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Eric Sherer, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, Louisiana Tech. The Practitioner Panel moderator was Chad Cothern, Founder, CEO, Healthcare Informatics Resource Exchange with panelists Angel Glover, EHR Project Manager, Willis-Knighton Health System, Wes Madden, Vice President of Connectivity and Sales, NantHealth,  Mary Merryman, System Director I.M. Louisiana Group Operations, CHRISTUS Health and  Claire Rebouche, Patient Safety Officer, Director of Patient Education, Willis-Knighton Health System.


Left to right: Dr. Rebecca Gee, Dr. Angela Kennedy, Jan Fuller


Industry Panel


Upcoming Events

Please join us for an evening of education and socializing at the Old Rail Brewing Company in Mandeville on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

We will have guest speakers from Spectrum Enterprise and Postlethwaite & Netterville.

Social will begin at 5:30pm, with presentations on Cloud Technology, Cybersecurity, and Compliance Implications beginning at 6:00pm.

Cost is $10 in advance and $25 at the door.


White Oak Plantation in Baton Rouge is the setting for the upcoming Louisiana Chapter Awards Dinner.  The event will be held June 15, 2017 from 6:00 -9:00 p.m.  Registration information will be posted soon to the chapter website.


Save the Date:  GC3 Conference, November 16 – 17, 2017, Marriott on Canal Street, New Orleans, LA.