WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Oct. 2, 2008 — The keynote speakers at the 4th Annual Virginia Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) will be Rep. Michael Burgess, MD of the 26th District of Texas, who will speak on behalf of the John McCain Presidential Campaign, and Blackford Middleton, MD of Partners Healthcare System, who will speak on behalf of the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign. "These keynote speakers will provide unique insights into how each presidential administration will address healthcare information technology issues, if they were to be elected," says Colin Konschak, Past President of Virginia HIMSS and Managing Partner with DIVURGENT.
This key event attracts over 250 senior-level healthcare stakeholders from across Virginia including clinicians, Information Technology executives, directors and managers who work in leading healthcare provider institutions, payer organizations, the military and other branches of government, and supplier and consulting companies. Other presentations of interest include a panel session with the Chief Information Officers of Virginia's major healthcare providers and a presentation from Virginia's Secretary of Technology, Aneesh Chopra, where he will discuss Virginia's healthcare technology strategies. Registration is now open at http://www.vahimss.org.
"The keynote speakers are expected to discuss how legislative initiatives can influence the growth, development and adoption of information technology in healthcare," says Konschak. "Additionally, attendees will want to learn more about Virginia's potential to become a health IT leader in the nation and how the industry can work with government to advance health IT issues," says current Virginia HIMSS President Mike Sanders.
After spending nearly three decades practicing medicine, Rep. Michael C. Burgess, MD was elected to Congress in 2002. During his time on Capitol Hill he has earned a reputation as a problem solver who seeks sensible solutions to the challenges Americans face. Today he represents the 26th District of Texas on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is responsible for healthcare, the safety of food and drugs, energy and power legislation. He is the Vice Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, which designs and develops legislative proposals for consideration by the entire Congress. He also serves as a Senior Health Care Advisor to the John McCain for President Campaign.
Blackford Middleton is Director of Clinical Informatics Research & Development, and Chairman of the Center for Information Technology Leadership at Partners Healthcare System, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Middleton was elected to serve on the National Committee of Vital and Health Statistics (NCHVS) in 2008. Dr. Middleton was recognized by Modern Physician as one of the Top 50 (#36) most influential US physician executives in 2005, and by Modern Healthcare as one of the top 300 most influential people in healthcare in 2008.
The keynote presentation will take place at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Williamsburg, Virginia on October 16th, 2008 at 3:45pm Eastern Time. Registration is open and can be found at http://www.vahimss.org. Space is limited and this conference is expected to sell out.
Contact:
Colin Konschak
(757) 641-0481
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