One thing we know for sure about the annual HIMSS conference: It can be overwhelming. And this year it seems like there are more hot topics to track than ever before, from the shifting political and regulatory landscape to mounting privacy and security threats to an ever-increasing mandate to cut costs and improve care to an explosion of new and emerging technologies. It might seem counterintuitive, but 2017 might be the year to pick a topic and drill down—at least for a day or two.
To that end, we’ve rounded up some of the one- and two-day programs at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society annual gathering in Orlando, Florida, next week. Note that all require separate registration and a fee.
Cybersecurity Forum
Sunday, February 19, 2017, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Regency Ballroom Q
Increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks have the IT industry on edge. The forum will share “lessons learned, current challenges and the road ahead in the cybersecurity journey,” notes the session description, which also promises practical information to help healthcare organizations gauge and improve their security postures. Daniel Nigrin, M.D., a senior VP and CIO at Boston Children’s hospital, will detail how his organization survived an attack by the “hacktivist” group Anonymous. Another session will cover the National Medical Device ISAO Initiative and explain how it will contribute to scientifically robust data to inform regulatory policy.
Cloud Computing Forum
Sunday, February 19, 2017, 8:00 a.m. to 4:35 p.m.
Plaza International DEF Ballroom
This daylong event is dedicated to managing the infrastructure required for successfully deploying cloud platforms supporting a healthcare enterprise. The lineup of speakers includes Todd Dunn, director of innovation in Information Systems for Intermountain Healthcare, who will discuss harnessing and managing innovation. Preregistration and a separate fee required. Here’s the full schedule.
HX360 Innovation Leaders Program
Monday, February 20, 2017, 10:30 a.m. through Tuesday, February 21, 5:00 p.m.
414B, Level IV, West Concourse
This two-day program hits many of the hot trends in healthcare for providers, payers, employers, entrepreneurs, investors and other companies. Tech innovation “can drive health outcomes, improve [efficiency and] reduce costs by creating opportunities for health engagement and data sharing across the home, healthcare and workplace settings,” the session description notes. Sessions will explore “how health technology supports the shift to value-based reimbursement, population health, prevention and wellness in healthcare and workforce populations.” Well-known organizations on the docket include Walmart, BCBS Massachusetts, Harvard, Partners Healthcare and Texas Medical Center.
Rockstars of Blockchain
February 22, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
414B, Level IV, West Concourse
Blockchain is emerging as a promising way to bridge traditional data silos while keeping data more secure. This daylong event brings together experts from hospitals, health insurance companies and vendors for a deep dive into the blockchain opportunities. Speakers include Jon White, deputy national coordinator for health IT, Steven Posnack, director of the Office of Standards and Technology, and John Mattison, M.D., CMIO at Kaiser Permanente.