HIMSS celebrates 50 years

Published: 07/24/2010

CHICAGO, IL, USA - (HealthTech Wire / News) - With a continued focus on improving healthcare with through the use of information technology and management systems, HIMSS began on July 1 its year-long 50th anniversary celebration.

Founded in October 1961 as the Hospital Management Systems Society, or HMSS, the Society held its first conference in 1962 in conjunction with the American Hospital Association Advanced Institute on Methods Improvement.  The conference was held in Baltimore, Md. with a total of 54 members on the HMSS roster. In 1986, HMSS changed its name to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, or HIMSS, to reflect its inclusion of information systems and telecommunications professionals among its members.

After a five-decade evolution, HIMSS now stands as the largest not-for-profit membership association in the U.S. dedicated to the cause of transforming healthcare through the use of IT and management systems.  Through the combined efforts of its more than 30,000 individual, 470 corporate and 85 not-for-profit affiliate members, the Society has become a global leader in health IT and management systems with offices in Chicago; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Arlington, Va.; Brussels, Leipzig and Singapore.

"The volunteer efforts and ongoing dedication of our members during these 50 years have enabled HIMSS to work toward the shared vision of a high-quality and efficient healthcare delivery system," said H. Stephen Lieber, CAE, HIMSS President & CEO.

"This half-century milestone is a symbol of both pride and accomplishment that we will share throughout the year with our members, partners, and the greater healthcare community."

HIMSS is planning a variety of activities to celebrate its gold anniversary culminating at the 2011 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition on Feb.20-24, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Visit the HIMSS website for periodic updates on the anniversary activities.  The HIMSS11 website launches in late August and will have information on the HIMSS 50th Birthday Celebration. To find out more about the Society's history, read the History of HIMSS compiled by the HIMSS Legacy Workgroup.

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Source: HIMSS