A Message for Members

It has been a fantastic year for the SIG so far. Things are moving and shaking, because of the incredible work being done by your board of directors. I truly cannot remember a time when I've felt more enthusiasm and more momentum for this remarkable organization and its exceptional members. Health care project managers are the core of an organization and your dedication shows when I am able to talk with individual members. You are people who refuse to accept mediocrity in your lives. You truly are the heart of the healthcare and the Healthcare SIG.

We live in a world that conditions us to accept mediocrity. We get good grades in school and get along socially and at work by conforming to what everyone else does. There is enormous pressure to "fit in." Luckily, for many, "good enough" really is the enemy of "greatness." Some people do just enough at work to get by each week. Living life more fully takes passion and a commitment to step away from the crowd. It takes vision-a vision of a more empowered future, of more freedom and personal abundance. It takes drive and effort.

That spirit of opportunity and hard work is alive and well in the Healthcare SIG today. Our team is working to create the products and tools you need to build your own legacy where you work. Every day we consider how to expand on what we can offer our members, so your take aways are worth the dollars you spend.

Let's keep that passion and drive burning bright, so we can continue the momentum. It will take all of us to build a greater perception of project management in the healthcare environment. So those we work with better understand we cannot be successful without it.

On a sad note, Dawn Brennan needed to step down from her position as secretary. I would like to thank her for her hard work as both treasurer and secretary. She contributed so much to the team. Her enthusiasm and ideas will be missed. The only bright spot in this change is that Beth Allen has accepted the role of secretary until the end of 2007. In January 2008, she will become the VP of Operations working under the direction of Sue Houston. Paul Turkal, who has worked tirelessly for Beth and the SIG on events over the past year has accepted the role of events director. Both Beth and Paul have done an exceptional job in their previous roles, so I look forward to seeing what they do next for the SIG.

Michele Mills, PMP
Healthcare SIG President

Call for nominations ends August 1, 2007

• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Director of Development

View more details

Nominations Now Being Accepted for 2007 Healthcare SIG
Project of the Year Award

Thank you for the Project of the Year Award submissions, keep them coming!

Project of the Year Award
Purpose
To recognize and honor the accomplishments of the Healthcare SIG Project of the Year, and the project team involved, for superior performance and execution of exemplary project management in the healthcare industry. This is not related to the PMI® Project of the Year Award.

Eligibility
Healthcare projects from everywhere in the world are encouraged to participate, regardless of size. The project must be accepted as complete by the Owner/Client within the last 3 years prior to nomination. There can be no restrictions on the use of the submitted information after the final date of submission.

Download the Project of the Year nomination application.

Nominations must be submitted by August 1, 2007.

Early Registration Now Open

Early registration is now open for the PMI Global Congress North America 2007. Register now to take advantage of the reduced price and secure housing before all reservations are full. If you are planning to attend the Congress, please mark your calendars to attend the Healthcare SIG Annual Membership Meeting on October 8. Details will be announced in upcoming issues of HealthcareSpeaks.

HIMSS®08 Registration to Open Mid-August

Plans are already under way so mark your calendar to attend HIMSS08. Hotels will fill up quickly so prebook now and get the hotel of your choice. A payment is not required at this time - just a credit card to hold the room. The credit card will not be charged anything until two weeks before the meeting.

Go beyond the hype! Attend the 2007 Clinical Automation Summit and get credible information on strategies for Electronic Health Record success. Produced by Health Data Management, this important event will be held September 17-18, 2007 in Chicago, IL.

For more information, visit the conference web site.

Industry News

The Road to Healthcare 2015: Defining Success Through Shared Stakeholder Value
Transformation to a 2015 healthcare system will require a shared definition of value in order to drive more efficient, effective healthcare delivery. Join IBM for an orientation to Healthcare 2015 followed by two examples that will help enable the determination of healthcare value: the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) and Geisinger Health System. Learn more.

Get a 'Jump' on Your Healthcare IT Career
With rising interest in information about the quality of care delivered by healthcare providers, the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality has developed a new Web tool demonstrating a variety of approaches for health quality report cards.
Learn more.

Turning AHIC into a private organization
The Department of Health and Human Services plans to transform the American Health Information Community, the federal advisory panel responsible for the advancement of healthcare IT, into a private organization by January 2009. Is converting AHIC from a federal advisory group to a private one a good idea? Click here to take the survey.

Volunteers

Web Development Support Resource

• Participate in all aspects of applications development and integration, including: requirements definition, design, development/acquisition, validation, implementation and maintenance.
• Will be part of a team providing software applications development and support for future applications portfolio.
• Work with SIG board committees to determine requirements and deploy solutions to meet those requirements across geographies.
• Support the SIG to maintain high levels of system availability and user satisfaction across assigned areas.
• Develop a solid understanding of processes and underlying application technologies to facilitate the achievement of key business objectives.
• Ensure that solutions and efforts are compliant with IT architecture, development and documentation standards, as well as to Quality System/regulatory requirements.

Contact the director of membership services for more details.

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.

Volunteering and mentoring does not create leaders, - IT REVEALS THEM.