Message From the Healthcare SIG President

I hope during the holiday season everyone was able to reflect on the last year and realize how blessed you are and consider the things we each need to work on in 2007 to make it a great year. The Healthcare SIG has come a long way in the last few years. This year we have an exceptional board of directors and committee members with a lot of talent and energy. As members, you should be proud of the work they are doing on your behalf.

In 2007, we will be offering FREE webinars and our enhanced web site is now more engaging than ever. We will soon be offering a members only area that will allow us to give special offerings directly to you. We have received good feedback from you over the last year. Feel free to send me your input and thoughts at president@pmihealthcare.org as we move through the year so we can make adjustments. After all, you are the Healthcare SIG. We do listen to every suggestion and do our best to accommodate our members. Thank you for your continued support and be sure to visit www.pmihealthcare.org regularly. Spend a few minutes looking around – I think you’ll find the site interesting and helpful. I appreciate all of you and wish everyone a very happy, prosperous new year!

Michele Mills, PMP
Healthcare SIG President

Welcome New Communications Coordinator Volunteer -
Patti Conlon

 In an effort to provide information useful to all members, we’re asking for your input. Please email your suggestions for HealthcareSpeaks topics, web site content ideas, reference and resource links or any other points of specific interest you may have to communicationscoord@pmihealthcare.org. With your help, the Healthcare SIG's web site will be a great resource for our members. Thanks in advance for your input.

Based on last year’s preconference half-day sellout, HIMSS has asked the SIG to conduct a full-day preconference workshop at HIMSS07 in New Orleans. The workshop will be held on Sunday, 25 February, 2007 from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Healthcare SIG Director of Education & Certification, Jay Ress, PMP, has compiled a team of outstanding experts to lead this terrific program on developing project management people skills.

Register Today!

PMI Healthcare SIG/HIMSS PM SIG To Lead Joint Meeting at HIMSS07

"Essentials in Healthcare Project Management"

Project managers in healthcare have many things in common with project managers in other businesses. There are, however, unique challenges we face in healthcare. In this presentation, Healthcare SIG President, Michele Mills, PMP, will discuss how to hone key project management skills that all of us need and will focus on special areas of improvement in healthcare project management.

Date:       Monday, 26 February, 2007
Time:       3-5 PM
Location: Room 252 at the Convention Center

Healthcare SIG     Members Save    15%!

Embracing Risk as an Opportunity to Create Value for the Organization

When:   16-18 May, 2007
Where:  Omni Hotel
                San Francisco, CA

Come to the Project Risk Symposium 2007 and find out how your peers are overcoming risk and creating opportunities for their organizations to innovate!
Take three days out of your schedule and…

• Earn up to 20.5 Project Management Institute PDUs
• Collaborate with over 150 of your peers to learn more about effective risk management techniques
• Discuss in-depth project risk management challenges
• Learn how to create a culture that encourages risk and results in innovation.

Healthcare SIG members save 15%!
Mention discount code XM1912HTHE

Download the brochure

Register Now!

Industry News

Companies endorse health IT goal for employees
HHS Secretary claims success in the push for connectivity, transparency and quality in corporate health plans. Learn more>

Most privacy complaints are not investigated
Study finds HHS does not respond adequately to patients' concerns about misuse of their medical information. Learn more>

FDA names economist Randall Lutter acting policy chief
The former American Enterprise Institute resident scholar will replace Scott Gottlieb. Learn more>

VA to launch large-scale genetic data collection
Links between EHRs and gene information shed light on causes of diseases and their cures, department officials say. Learn more>

Many agencies to contribute to pandemic preparedness
DHS will take lead in responding to an outbreak, but the Defense and Justice will also play a role.
Learn more>

Volunteer Opportunities

Discussion Board Monitors
Do you have experience in moderating online discussion groups? We are looking for one or two volunteers to monitor discussion groups and encourage networking between the Healthcare SIG members. Contact the director of membership services for more details.

Education Program
The Healthcare SIG Education Program is looking for volunteers to assist with the program in 2007. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for online education and can commit some of their time to producing quality educational project management healthcare focused courses.
Learn more about criteria for these positions and the benefits of volunteering.

Marketing Coordinator
Identifies requirements for, and creates, defines, and leads implementation of projects to support marketing of the SIG. Such projects can include initiatives to attract new members to the SIG, increase SIG member retention, improve SIG branding, positioning, communications, public relations, and image, as well as initiatives to market SIG products and services such as webinars, educational and marketing events, and local interest groups. Contact the director of development for more information.

Strategic Relations Lead
Identifies and leads initiatives to develop strategic relationships with other professional organizations dedicated to the healthcare industry, negotiates agreements with those organizations for SIG board approval, and creates, plans, and develops programs to execute those agreements. Contact the director of development for more information.