July 2023 Message from our President, Board of Directors, Bobby Gheorghiu

It is a tremendous honour, privilege, and responsibility to step into this role at such an exciting and pivotal time for our Chapter. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to work beside our Past President, Howard Rosen, and witness firsthand how much was achieved in the span of just 12 months. Thanks to Howard's leadership and the tremendous effort and dedication of our Board Members and volunteers, we were able to host a number of successful events, including our fall conference that truly showcased our ability to bring together digital health leaders, companies, and emerging professionals to share and collaborate on the latest digital health innovations, ideas, and initiatives at a crucial time for our industry.

But that was just the start—the momentum generated by our fall conference resulted in the Chapter achieving its highest number of members since inception. Building on this momentum, I am excited to announce that our Chapter will be expanding eastward to officially include five additional provinces: Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador. Historically, we have had members from those provinces, so it is wonderful to be able to formally represent these members and grow our reach and influence.

As our health system strives to become smarter, more connected, and interoperable, we will continue to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, initiatives, and mandates that are needed for an effective and cohesive health system transformation enabled through data and technology. With this expansion, we aim to foster collaboration among healthcare organizations, government entities, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders across our jurisdiction and beyond. The strength of HIMSS is in its more than 120,000 members and 58 local chapters. By tapping into this vast network, we will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions to drive the adoption and implementation of digital health.

For the upcoming year, we will continue to share insights and industry best practices through webinars, conferences, and networking events that cater to the evolving needs and challenges of health care professionals across Central and Eastern Canada. Through our continued partnership with the Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF), we will provide career growth opportunities for individuals in their first five years of their health informatics or digital health careers to enhance their knowledge, expand their networks, and stay at the forefront of healthcare technology. 

Our annual Digital Health Innovation Conference has been set this year for Wednesday November 8, 2023 at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle!  I hope to see each and every one of you there for what promises to be a day steeped in learning and networking. For now, please save the date and more information will be shared soon.

As I begin my term as President, I extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a dedicated, capable, and highly experienced Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and volunteers who time and again step up to the challenge of delivering value to our members.  I am excited to welcome four new members to our Board for the 2023-24 term: Mireille Luc (President Elect and Quebec Representative), Andrew Nemirovsky (ex-officio Member-at-Large and Atlantic Provinces Representative), Joe Mayer (Member-at-Large), and Jennifer Backler (Member-at-Large).  For complete listing of our 2023-24 Board of Directors, please click here.

I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to two individuals who have departed the Board, but have played significant roles in the success of our Chapter. First, I would like to thank Dr. Darren Larsen for his exceptional leadership as President and Past President. Darren's guidance and dedication have been invaluable, particularly during the challenging years of the pandemic. His insights and strategic vision have helped steer our Chapter through uncertain times, ensuring that we continue to serve our members and advance the progress of digital health.

Secondly, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Merv D'souza, our previous Events Committee Chair. Through his efforts, we have witnessed the tremendous growth and impact of our fall conference, which has become a flagship event for our members and the broader healthcare community. Merv's dedication and attention to detail have set the bar high, and we are grateful for his tireless work in elevating our Chapter to new heights.

In closing, I invite each and every one of you to actively engage with our Chapter, participate in our initiatives, and contribute your expertise and perspectives. Together, we will help shape the future of healthcare technology in Canada and make a lasting impact on the well-being of the communities we represent.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to a remarkable journey ahead.

Sincerely,

Bobby Gheorghiu

President, HIMSS Ontario Chapter