As the new HIMSS North America Board began its year on July 1, the vision of improving health with the best use of digital health continues under the leadership and vision of Denise Hines. The chair, vice chair and chair-elect serve a one-year term as officers for the HIMSS North America Board.
HIMSS North America Board Chair – Denise Hines, DHA, PMP, FHIMSS
“I knew at a very young age that I wanted a career in healthcare and then discovered that the best way for me to improve healthcare is through technology,” said Denise Hines, CEO of eHealth Services and the new chair of HIMSS North America. “I believe that the benefits of health information technology, such as personalized medicine and population health, are just beginning to be realized, and that we have an obligation to ensure all patients, including those in underserved and rural communities, have access to these innovations.”
Dr. Hines heads eHealth Services Group, and serves as the Executive Director of the Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN). A nationally recognized expert in state government in health information exchanges, she used her leadership skills and health IT expertise to advance the benefits and implementation of health IT through HIE throughout the state of Georgia.
A passionate HIMSS volunteer and past Chapter Leader of the Year for the Georgia Chapter of HIMSS, Dr. Hines has more than 20 years of experience, using her expertise in settings that include health systems, physician practices, home health, corporate, consulting, state government and revenue management.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to lead the many accomplished professionals I have met through my volunteer activities with HIMSS. My hope is that I can serve as an inspiration to encourage more women and minorities to seek a career in health information technology. One of my goals this year is to support HIMSS’s initiatives around women in health IT and encourage employers to recognize the benefits of a diverse workforce,” said Dr. Hines.
HIMSS North America Vice Chair – John Kansky, MSE, MBA, CPHIMS, FHIMSS
John Kansky is president and CEO, Indiana Health Information Exchange. He has worked in the healthcare technology field for 28 years gaining experience at the Indiana University and University of Washington Medical Centers as well as roles in public health and consulting.
“I’m passionate about the need to continue advancing interoperability to benefit healthcare and health,” said Kansky. “It’s encouraging to see the increased movement toward this goal in both the market and policy circles, and I believe HIMSS has a key role to play in enabling and accelerating continued progress.” Kansky noted.
HIMSS North America Board Chair-Elect – Christopher Ross
As the HIMSS North America Board Chair-elect, Chris Ross works closely with Dr. Hines to support and fulfill the board’s goals for the year. He is chief information officer of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., a position he has held since 2012. With more than 29 years of experience in health IT, healthcare and government settings, he also is an active member of various healthcare innovation committees.
“I am honored and humbled to be chair-elect of HIMSS North America. I have learned an enormous amount from HIMSS, and recognize the advancement of the organization’s vision in my job every day. I hope to give something back through my board service and ongoing volunteer roles with HIMSS,” said Ross. “As chair-elect I hope to help maintain momentum for HIMSS, as its vital mission evolves and grows.”
HIMSS North America Vice Chair-Elect – Michael Nusbaum, BASc, MHSA, FHIMSS
Michael Nusbaum is the first Canadian member of HIMSS to serve in a leadership role on the HIMSS North America Board. As president of M.H. Nusbaum & Associates Ltd, he has devoted his entire career to consulting in digital health in Canada, the US, and worldwide.
“This is an exciting time for us on the HIMSS North America Board. I am proud to help shape the organization to prepare for the many new challenges of digital health,” said Nusbaum, who will also serve as chair of the 2018 HIMSS North America Nominating Committee.
Other new HIMSS North America Board members:
Four new members joined the board and began their terms on July 1. They are:
- Rene Cabral-Daniels, JD, MPH
CEO, Community Care Network of Virginia - Emma Cartmell, FHIMSS
CEO, Cartmell Venture Capital - Sumit Nagpal, FHIMSS
Chief Architect, LumiraDX - Mark D. Sugrue, MSN, RN-BC, FHIMSS, CPHIMS
Chief Nursing Informatics Officer and ACNO, Professional Practice, UMass Memorial Medical Center
“I am honored to recognize these healthcare leaders, who share their time and expertise with the HIMSS North America Board,” said Carla Smith, MA, FHIMSS, CNM, executive vice president, HIMSS. “Their insight and guidance on relevant issues, trends and overall direction of digital health provide us the governance expertise to help all of us at HIMSS fulfill our vision of improving health and healthcare with the best use of IT.”