By Patty Enrado, Editor
HIMSS has a finger on the pulse of the healthcare IT industry, so when something new emerges, HIMSS is able to bring learning and networking opportunities at the Annual Conference & Exhibition to explore the high-growth, high-demand areas.
With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act front and center, HIMSS presents more ARRA pre-conference education sessions focused on ARRA topics of importance to healthcare organizations.
HIMSS and Monster.com are teaming up to present a Career Planning Workshop on Tuesday, March 2, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM in Room C211, that focuses on career planning, resume building and interview tips and techniques. Space is limited, and there is a fee of $140 for this essential workshop for those wishing to join the healthcare IT profession.
HIMSS10 is providing more career development sessions, including a roundtable on workforce training. Patricia Dombrowski, director of Life Sciences Information Center at Bellevue College, will present “Workforce Development: Impact to the Healthcare Setting” on Wednesday, March 3, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM, in Room C211.
The Meeting Place, located in Lobby B (MP 1-13) and Exhibit Hall, C Building, Aisle 3600 (MP 20-29), is a networking venue for attendees who want to meet up with friends and colleagues. The Meeting Place offers meeting rooms or offices for vendors and attendees to set up meetings, focus groups or private demonstrations. Attendees going to the new Innovative Technology Pavilion can watch product demonstrations and presentations.
The new Industry Solution Sessions provide a venue for healthcare IT experts to highlight case studies on myriad relevant topics and share their implementation and business experiences. For more information on these eight sessions, please refer to your HIMSS10 Pocket Guide or Resource Guide.
HIMSS10 explores the shift in the payer side of the healthcare industry from transaction manager to healthcare infomediary, which delivers information for improving the quality of healthcare delivery. The Payer Community, in conjunction with the Health IT Group, presents seven education sessions that address issues pertinent to the payer community.
The Life Sciences Community and Health IT is also new to HIMSS10. The life sciences community is aligned with the healthcare community to improve patient health outcomes. HIMSS is offering 10 education sessions that explore health IT issues that are significant for the life sciences community.
Also new this year is the Eighth National Medical Banking Institute, being held Feb. 28 - March 2, at the Omni Hotel. The new HIMSS Medical Banking Project features its global program, Designing the Healthcare Financial Network of the Future. A stakeholder roundtable will help create a better platform for managing the industry’s finite financial resources. Be sure to check out the Medical Banking booth in Exhibit Hall B.
Thursday, March 4, the last day of HIMSS10, is devoted exclusively to education sessions.
Finally, the Exhibit Hall has extended hours Monday through Wednesday, March 1 - 3, for attendees’ convenience. HIMSS also offers a Wednesday Exhibit Hall-Only Pass for attendees who want to visit the exhibition for one day.