Maryland HIMSS Summer 2014 Newsletter
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President’s Message Ravi Singh
Dear Maryland Chapter of HIMSS Members, Colleagues and Friends,
Time flies by when you are having a good time. So we come to the end of another very successful
program year for the Maryland Chapter of HIMSS (MDHIMSS). We had a lot of turmoil in our healthcare
industry during this time and it continues to weather the storm.
Whether it is Meaningful Use Stage I and II, Population Health, ICD-10 delay, Medicare wavier and
impacts on IT strategies, or Activity Audit Process related to Security, and many other IT priorities, the
list is never ending for the IT leaders to deal with. Some may say this means “job security”  but truly it
is a big challenge facing our industry and hopefully most everyone will survive.
This past year also saw many layoffs, budget cuts, and continued demand and stress on the healthcare
IT industry to deliver more with less. Organizations continue to look for different ways to reduce cost
and increase efficiencies, and this trend is here to stay for the near future.
We at MDHIMSS stayed quite busy during this past fiscal year and brought eight events to our members.
These events were our annual networking session on October 3, 2013 with Dr. David Hunt as our
keynote speaker from The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) who focused on “The Intersection
of Patient Engagement, Safety, and Meaningful Use”. This was followed by three full day Education
events, an Advocacy Day in Annapolis, and our fourth annual Golf event. To top this, we held two CIO/IT
Executive roundtables to bring the CIO/CMO/CMIO/CNO/CNIO together for a meaningful dialogue to
discuss how to address the technology challenges facing our organizations and the industry in a
collaborative fashion.
With a strong chapter membership of 1700+ and growing, we are planning the year ahead to provide
answers to many challenges we all face, from Meaningful Use to ICD-10 to Medicare Waiver to BYOD to
Advocacy and much more, including our annual Golf event.
Many thanks to the entire MDHIMSS board for their continued support and dedication in making this
Chapter a success. Much appreciation and gratitude goes out to all the committee members and
volunteers without whom we would not be able to pull all the events together. And last but not the Maryland HIMSS Summer 2014 Newsletter
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least, to all of you, our members for continuing to stay connected with MDHIMSS and supporting the
Chapter activities and events.
We need everyone’s active participation so please join us at each of the MDHIMSS event in FY15. The
next one is going to be in the September/October 2014 timeframe to kick-off our season with the
Networking event at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Columbia, Maryland.
Stay tuned and don’t forget to check us out at www.mdhimss.org (soon to be http://md.himsschapter.org), Facebook, twitter, and LinkedIn for
upcoming events. Be safe and have a great summer.
Programs Karen Marie Wilding
We would like to update our members on the numerous programs that were provided in 2013/2014,
and say "Thank You" to everyone who contributed or attended to make them such a great success!
Here are a few highlights of the Maryland HIMSS Programs we’ve held:
 November 14th
– Fall Education Event
Was held at Sheppard Pratt Conference Center, featured speakers focused on “Security, CMS
Audits, and ICD-10”. Little did we know that ICD-10 would be pushed, but the panel dialogue
was enlightening for all of our attendees.
 January 30th
– Winter Education Event
Hosted by the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) with a theme of: “Health IT:
Tracking Outcomes”. The highlighted topics included Tele-Medicine, Patient Quality/Safety and
boasted speakers from HSCRC and ONC. One of our best attended events ever; UMMS will plan
to host again next year.
 April 24th
– Spring Education Event
Was held at Sheppard Pratt Conference Center, featured speakers focused on “Transforming IT
Delivery Systems”. The presentations provided timely updates around the Meaningful Use
program and tools for the organizations around Project Management Offices (PMO) and Change
Management.
Looking ahead, the Program Planning Committee will be stepping up our offerings for next year. We will
look to provide more social/networking opportunities and seek to engage more young Health IT
Professionals. Knowing there is a game changing proposed rule for Meaningful Use on our backdoor
and ICD 10 around the corner - again - we look forward to keeping the programs relevant and timely.
If you have any suggestions for speakers, topics or venues – please reach out to our team.Maryland HIMSS Summer 2014 Newsletter
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Advocacy Kathryn Whitmore
On February 18, 2014, Kathryn Whitmore, Maryland HIMSS Board Member and Advocacy Committee
Co-Chair, and Debra Roper, Advocacy Committee member, testified in front of the Maryland General
Assembly’s Health and Government Operations Committee on House Bill 802. This measure requires the
Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide specific reimbursement for specific services delivered
by telemedicine. It also repeals the limitations on the health care services delivered by telemedicine that
are eligible for reimbursement. HB 802 was cross-filed with Senate Bill 198 which is done to help
expedite the measure’s progress through both chambers.
A brief excerpt from the testimony is below:
On February 6, 2014 the Maryland Chapter of HIMSS came to you during our Health Information
Technology Day in Annapolis asking for your continued HIT support and seeking the expansion of
reimbursement for telemedicine services to those enrolled in Medicaid. Physician businesses in
Maryland will also benefit from expanded use of this technology by being able to offer more care
and receive reimbursement for their Medicaid enrolled patients.
To read the full testimony, click here.
These bills were signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley in April 2014 after full support from both
the House and the Senate. This opportunity to provide testimony comes off the coattails of the 7th
Annual Health HIT Day of the Maryland Chapter of HIMSS. State health IT days play a critical role in
forging relationships between HIMSS Chapter members and state legislators.
Dr. Dan Morhaim, Maryland House of Delegates (center), provided opening remarks for HIT Day held at
the Governor Calvert House in Annapolis on February 6, 2014. Maryland’s position on the importance of
HIT in enabling
consumer engagement
in healthcare reform
presents an unmatched
opportunity for both
elected officials and
HIMSS members.
Over one hundred
members of the
Maryland Chapter of
HIMSS spent the day in
Annapolis visiting
Senators and Delegates Maryland HIMSS Summer 2014 Newsletter
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to discuss the importance of supporting the transformation of healthcare through the use of consumer
engaging HIT. During the morning legislative session, Senator Catherine Pugh (D-40) and Delegate Susan
Lee (D-16) recognized HIMSS members on the floors of their respective chambers. The HIT Day program
began with a welcome from Ravi Singh, President of the Maryland Chapter of HIMSS. The day was
moderated by Kathryn Whitmore and Steve Fox, Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs for the Maryland
Chapter of HIMSS.
The keynote address was delivered by Richard Bendis, President & CEO, BioHealth Innovation, Inc. He
focused on the innovative technology landscape in Maryland and the rapidly growing HIT market
segment that is now enabling consumers to become more engaged in their healthcare. The venture
capital market and commercialization models which jump start innovative HIT were profiled and
participants learned about consumer engaging HIT companies emerging in Maryland. Participants
discussed the use of HIT in Maryland through the eyes of the consumer during a panel discussion. The
following consumers and HIT experts highlighted their perspectives on using HIT today to access their
health records and interact with caregivers, including exploring future hopes, concerns, and the value to
be derived from accessing one's health information:
 Steven R. Daviss, MD DFAPA, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Maryland and
CMIO, M3 Information LLC,
 Shannah Koss, MPP, Cofounder Connected Health Resources and President Koss on Care
LLC,
 Mary J. Kraaij, RN, MSN, Consumer and Retired Clinical Nurse Manager Greater Baltimore
Medical Center, and
 Kait B. Roe, Consumer and VP/Senior Partner at FUSE Health Strategies, LLC.
To conclude the day, participants conducted individual meetings with legislators and aides discussing
key HIT priorities in Maryland. A proclamation undersigned by Governor Martin O’Malley declaring
February 6, 2014 Maryland Chapter of HIMSS HIT Day was also presented.
We look forward to working with you and our legislators in Annapolis as we continue advocacy efforts.
We thank you for your interest and continued participation in HIT advocacy in Maryland. If you are
interested in volunteering your time to join these efforts, please contact one of the Maryland HIMSS
Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs:
Kathryn Whitmore at 443.742.4643 or KathrynWhitmore@STSConsultingGroup.com or
Steve Fox at 202.661.6940 or sjfox@postschell.com.Maryland HIMSS Summer 2014 Newsletter
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Professional Development Marisa Wilson
The Maryland HIMSS Board is happy to announce that ten outstanding applications were received from
students interested in being awarded one of two $2500.00 scholarships. Each of these applicants is in
the process of studying some aspect of health information technology. Some are in undergraduate
programs and others in graduate programs. Some are in the very beginning of a career in health
information technology; others are changing careers; while others are moving an already strong career
into another level by furthering their education. Each of the applicants will be encouraged to become
involved with the Maryland Chapter of HIMSS as a student member. Two of these applicants will be
chosen to receive the scholarships and will work with the Board as student members. Winners will be
officially announced at the fall event.
The Maryland Chapter of HIMSS will also be exploring the feasibility of offering the review session and t
testing for the Certification for Healthcare Management Systems (CPHIMS). The board is also exploring
opportunities to mentor individuals interested in pursuing the status of Fellow Healthcare Information
Management System Society (FHIMSS). More information about these endeavors will be coming in the
next few months.
2014 Golf Tournament Brian Zernhelt
MDHIMSS hosted its fourth golf tournament on Monday May 19th, at Hayfields Country Club, in
beautiful Hunt Valley, Maryland.
As in the past, the course and the facilities were amazing! Plus, this year the weather was perfect! The
participants enjoyed a wonderful brunch out on the patio overlooking the golf course surrounded by the
beautiful stone buildings.
107 golfers participated in the “Captain’s Choice” golf tournament. Winner of the men’s longest drive
was Jarrod Germano, and for the ladies it was Stephanie Rudy. When it came to accuracy over power,
Bob Sicoli posted the most accurate drive while Pete Vatenos was closest to the pin.
Cocktails and dinner was enjoyed by all that evening as everyone caught up with old and new friends
and networked with each other. Door prizes were drawn throughout the hour to provide our
participants with something extra special to take home.
A special “Thank You” goes out to all of our vendors who helped to make this event a reality! Without
their support, we would not have been able to provide this fantastic event.
It was a great success! So save the date for next year’s tournament – May 18, 2015! Maryland HIMSS Summer 2014 Newsletter
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Corporate Sponsorship Brian Zernhelt
Our Education Sessions and Networking Event are made possible by the support of our corporate
sponsors. I would like to personally thank the 2013 -2014 Corporate Sponsors. Because of their
support, our members are able to attend our events at an extremely reduced rate. This year’s events
started with our networking dinner followed by three educational sessions. Be sure to go to our
chapter’s website, where you will see their logos, which link to the company’s home page. Click on
them to learn what they have to offer and stop by their booths at our sessions. It is our goal to
promote the growth of technology within healthcare, and their support allows our events to be
affordable for everyone in the industry.
If you are interested in sponsoring our chapter, this year we will provide opportunities for vendors to be
one-time sponsors at some of our sessions, and we are introducing networking happy hours. Contact
Brian Zernhelt at bzernhelt@SCIINFO.com for details.