Michigan HIMSS April 2002 Minutes
Minutes from Meeting Tuesday, April 16, 2002
Present: Helen Hill, Ron Wheelock, Rick Wilkening, Ron Latta, Barry Schoenbart, Debbie Merz, Alicia Brown
Conferenced in: Pete Hoffswell, Chuck Haggerty and Jim Brown
Welcome: Helen Hill welcomed everyone and thanked everyone for their commitment and efforts.
Introductions: Everyone provided a brief introduction.
Meeting Goals: Finalize action plan, select officers/board members for next year, set up committees
Reviewed the minutes from the February 28 meeting: They were accepted with no changes.
First Chapter Program:
Helen opened discussion on the preliminary investigation that had been done on the framework for the first program. The initial topics for consideration were:
Alicia presented preliminary information regarding the candidates panel. Worthy discussion of this item provided the conclusion that it would take a considerable effort for us to succeed with this format. This is mostly due to our infancy and the time span in which it needed to occur. Pete has contacted Dennis McCafferty and is waiting to hear back. Regarding topics, it was mentioned that a program on HIPAA and EDI technologies may be “old” by fall due to recent sessions being held on those topics..
It was agreed that regardless of the program, sponsorship by other organizations would be very helpful. MNA, Quilogy and clinician organizations were suggested immediately as sources. Jim Brown generously suggested Quilogy. We will need to take action on obtaining sponsorships.
Rick recommended that the program committee explore the concepts then report ideas back to the group.
Action Plan/Chapter Structure:
Christine, Ron and Rick put together a comprehensive Action Plan Summary. Their goal was to generate recommendations based on what other chapters are doing, lessons learned, etc. They identified some of the following.
A majority of chapters have the officer structure of President, President-Elect, Secretary & Treasurer. Their committees include Membership, Programs and Communications. Committees consist of chairpersons and informal committee members. Officers and committee chairs make up the board. Several chapters include additional board members, beyond the usual officers and committee chairs These members typically are those that are very dedicated and make a strong contribution.
Time commitments of chapter activity vary depending on the chapter, their goals and other factors. Typically, committee chairs and President take up the most time. Committee work drives the overlap and interactions. Often the President will stay involved for 3 years.
Based on all of Ron, Rick and Christine’s research they were comfortable recommending this structure to the group. They added that a key to success would be a 1-2 year involvement of key officers. It was recommended that we maintain continuity with involving past presidents, but try to keep everyone fresh, avoiding burn out.
The group discussed the recommendations. Pete moved to approve the structure provided. It was questioned that we hadn’t discussed bylaws. Ron and Rick confirmed that most accepted the national bylaws, unless they had a very specific structure (e.g. were a strictly educational chapter). It was agreed that we would accept the national bylaws now and be open to revise them in the future as needed. Ron seconded the motion to accept the recommended structure. It was agreed that we would accept the recommended structure and adopt the national bylaws as our own.
Action Plan:
Rick and Ron next presented a recommended action plan. Based on discussions and information from other chapters, we determined we would focus in the following four areas:
1. Gain active participation
2. Host 1 educational and 2 informal meetings
3. Strong communication, particularly via web site
4. Sponsor students and encourage their involvement
Knowing that we can link in to the national HIMSS web site, we determined that we would begin our own and provide that link to them. Jim Brown offered Quilogy’s services for developing and hosting the web site in their Troy offices. Helen, Debbie and Alicia all offered their support for the web site.
In discussion of the meetings we determined that we would offer a minimum of three sessions per year, but will make further determinations as we get more involved.
Ron stated that it was important to keep students involved, even in the web site design if possible. The group was wondering if there is a specific student organization for HIMSS and/or a student discount for HIMSS. Rick will make student involvement one of the goals of the membership committee.
Helen moved that we adopt the action plan. Debbie seconded the motion. The motion passed. Helen will send our action plan and all of our applications to the national committee for approval.
In further discussion, Ron and Rick provided program and work recommendations based on what other chapters are doing. These include: Healthcare CIO panel discussion, review the national survey and select 2-3 topics of interest for the group; programs with increased attendance usually included vendor/hospital case studies or vendor/CIO combinations; one board had dinner with top 3 CIOs in their area and asked what initiatives they would be interested in, then they provided educational seminars to people from those hospitals (eg technical discussions, time management, staff development).
Election of Officers and Board Members:
The following individuals were elected (or volunteered) to these positions:
President Helen Hill
President-Elect Ron Latta
Secretary Alicia Brown
Treasurer Chris Holden
Membership Chair Rick Wilkening
Programs Chair Ron Wheelock
Communications Chair Jim Brown
The individuals listed above will also serve on the board. We will consider at large board members when and if it is appropriate.
Future Meetings:
Future meetings are set for the second Tuesday of the month. We will continue to meet at Covansys in Okemos. Thanks to Helen and Covansys. Helen is confirming our schedule with them for the next several months. We would like to schedule dinner to happen after meetings to increase networking and plan to open meetings up to anyone who would like to attend. The May meeting will be an exception—it is being held on Wednesday, May 15.
Next Steps:
Committees begin to communicate and develop ideas to bring back to group.
Pete will send email out to all detailing use of Yahoo group email.
Helen will be sending the full list of Michigan HIMSS members out.
Helen will send all applications to national HIMSS
Alicia will confirm that Pete has all email addresses for HIMSS Michigan members.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, May 15 at 3 pm, Covansys in Okemos - directions to be through email
Communication:
To get on group email, contact Pete Hoffswell at pete@itsbreakwater.com.
To communicate with everyone in the HIMSS Michigan Chapter Working Group, send email to himss-mi@yahoogroups.com
Final Notes:
To demonstrate the kind of excitement that you can experience by attending a Michigan Chapter HIMSS meeting, the following incident caused a traffic backup that minimally affected several attending HIMSS members on their way to our April 16th meeting. Special thanks to Michigan HIMSS member Barry Schoenbart for contributing this story from the Lansing State Journal, April 17, 2002.
OKEMOS - Four cows fell out of a trailer Tuesday and landed on Interstate 96 near Hagadorn Road, causing traffic backups and one injury. The Ingham County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene at 2:30 p.m. to round up the loose cattle. Deborah Craddock, 53, of Lansing was taken to Sparrow Hospital with minor injuries after she rear-ended a semi-truck that was slowing for traffic. The truck driver, Jeffrey Mitchell of Lucan, Ontario, was not injured. Traffic was backed up for about two miles for three hours. The cows were being transported in a horse trailer when the rear door opened and they fell out. None of the animals was injured.