Off to HIMSS in Atlanta

If its spring it must be HIMSS. This annual event gathers the world health IT experts together in one place for the preeminent health information management trade show. This year the host city is Atlanta, the jewel of the south, hot-lanta. I can’t wait to experience this city and all it has to offer.

Sav and Whale Shark in Galapagos

On Saturday, Feb 27th we arrive in Atlanta and begin our trip with a visit to the Georgia Aquarium, the largest in North America. Between 3:30 and 4 pm we experience the aquarium from the inside out. Scuba tanks go on for a swim with the Gentle Giants; Whale Sharks, the largest fish of the oceans. Don’t worry they don’t bite; they are filter feeders eating mainly plankton. This is a wonderful experience, if you can - watch for us on the Georgia Aquarium webcam. Or even better if you are in Atlanta come and see us at the Aquarium.

On Sunday, I’ll be presenting at the Health IT Venture Fair. While not officially part of HIMSS it takes please as a precursor to the show. Sponsored and organized by Blank-Rome of Philadelphia and Howard Burke this event showcases innovative companies that are seeking venture capital, partners and growth opportunities. Over 30 venture capital firms participate to get a jump start on the trade show exhibitors.

Sunday evening the Canadian Trade Commissionaires are hosting a dinner for Canadian companies to meet with US companies. This match making helps Canadian companies doing business or planning to do business in the US to find partnerships.

Come visit Us at HIMSS Booth 1407

The official HIMSS start is Monday, the exhibits open at 12:30 and until 5:30 we will be at Booth 1407, meeting with interested organizations looking for health IT solutions. Another HIMSS tradition is the Canadian reception that brings together all the Canadian exhibitors and Canadian attendees. This is always a rousing event with cross-Canadian representation and Canadian beer, BC and Atlantic salmon, perhaps even Alberta beef.

The Consulate General breakfast on Tuesday is another excellent networking and educational event. With trade commissionaires from across the US doing their best to promote the Canadian companies at HIMSS.

From 10:30 am to 5:30 we can be found on the exhibition floor at Booth 1407.

After the HIMSS reception on Tuesday night, it’s off to the Woodfire Grill an Atlanta hotspot for dinner prepared by award winning Top Chef Kevin Gillespie.

co-Owner and Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie

A relaxing evening is planned with BBQ ribs and friends to raise a glass.

That leaves the last day of HIMSS with the exhibit floor going from 10:30 to 5:30. In the evening a spirited HIMSS reception bringing us full circle as we return to our starting point at the Georgia Aquarium. Unfortunately, this time they wouldn’t let us go for a swim, I asked.

Praise to the volunteers

This week the eHealth scandal in Ontario hit the press, $ 1 Billion spent to deliver electronic health records with little results. The Auditor General’s report on the eHealth initiative highlighted the cost of consultants hired, and the wasted opportunity to modernize the healthcare system. This same week our neighbor passed away, who volunteered for 48 years at the Etobicoke General Hospital. Consider the value of this selfless act against the actions of eHealth.

In my extensive experience in the health community of Ontario I’ve met many dedicated individuals seeking to improve health care. Nurses, doctors and regular people who directly impact health care. Volunteerism is very important in our health care systems both for fund-raising and in the delivery of care. These unpaid support staff in our hospital system save millions of dollars to the overall health care system.

Dorothy volunteered for 48 years, beginning with the fund raising efforts to build the local hospital; helping to get patients to their appointments and working in the gift shop. Her children were born in that hospital and in the end she passed away there. Last Friday the hospital honoured her work by flying the flag at half-mast. Even though a volunteer received no pay for their work, it is the most valuable gift that can be made.

Compare this with the millions of dollars taken out of the health care system by consultants working at eHealth Ontario. We all pay for our health care through taxes, so this is our money being spent. Even the consultants working at eHealth are tax payers, they should have been watchdogs of our money.

We can make a difference in health care. We need more dedicated professionals and individuals committed to helping improve the system.