HIMSS Maryland has elected Karen Marie Wilding as the chapter president. Karen is the Senior Director of Quality Compliance and Value Based Care at The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Quality Care Network (UM-QCN). Karen also holds an Adjunct Faculty position with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Health IT Program. HIMSS is aglobal, cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on better health through information technology (IT). HIMSS leads efforts to optimize health engagements and care outcomes using information technology.

“Karen is an extremely talented leader who has extensive experience in health IT and building processes and partnerships that improve the health outcomes of patients and enhance population health services throughout Maryland,” says Dr. Stacy Garrett-Ray, Vice-President, Medical Director of Population Health for UMMS and President of the UMQCN. “We are delighted to know that Karen will serve as the new president of HIMSS for the Maryland Chapter and know that she will be a great asset to the organization and its members.”

There is significant work going on in health IT, especially at the local level. Chapter membership brings the benefits home, with targeted education, issue updates, networking opportunities, and more. The Maryland HIMSS Chapter has big plans for their 2018 calendar of events; with topics focused on supporting healthcare transformation, expanding access to quality care and making overall communities healthier. Health IT plays a fundamental role in supporting population and public health. Wilding will lead this charge, focused on engaging healthcare executives, technology vendors and a grass roots base that support the local workforce. “I am honored to serve and hope to connect the national dialogue around achieving improved cost, quality and outcomes to our members. Leveraging technology to achieve these goals is critical and with the collective knowledge and experience across the state, providing forums to collaborate is exciting and invaluable to advancing our industry.” Said Wilding.

HIMSS represents 55 chapters across the United States including Puerto Rico, Canada, and India that serve a valuable role in bringing healthcare system professionals together in a local forum.

“HIMSS congratulates Karen on her appointment as the president of the Maryland HIMSS Chapter,” said Carla Smith, MA, FHIMSS, executive vice president, HIMSS North America. “Our members bring their expertise to these committee positions and truly help move forward the Society’s strategic health IT initiatives. In return, our members have the opportunity to meet and work with their peers, grow professionally and expand their industry knowledge.”

For more information on the Maryland chapter of HIMSS, visit http://md.himsschapter.org/

About HIMSS

HIMSS North America, a business unit within HIMSS, positively transforms health and healthcare through the best use of information technology in the United States and Canada. As a cause-based non-profit, HIMSS North America provides thought leadership, community building, professional development, public policy, and events. HIMSS North America represents 64,000 individual members, 640 corporate members, and over 450 non-profit organizations. Thousands of volunteers work with HIMSS to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness, access, and value of healthcare through IT. Major initiatives within HIMSS North America include the HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition, National Health IT Week, HIMSS Innovation Center, HIMSS Interoperability Showcases™, HIMSS Health IT Value Suite, and ConCert by HIMSS™.