HIMSS Congratulates Dr. David Blumenthal on Appointment as National Coordinator for Health Information Technology

ARLINGTON, Va. (March 20, 2009) -- The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) congratulates Dr. David Blumenthal as the new National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

As the Samuel O. Thier Professor of Medicine and Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School and a primary care physician, Dr. Blumenthal offers his vast knowledge on healthcare policy and extensive experience in the intersection between healthcare delivery and information technology. Dr. Blumenthal's expert understanding of the Obama Administration's healthcare policy initiatives will be an asset to the healthcare IT community as we all tackle the requirements and milestones identified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, and work through healthcare reform efforts.

All of the Society's members represent stakeholders who will implement, and be impacted by, the ARRA's requirements. These healthcare professionals have worked with the initiatives introduced and implemented by the Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP) and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), activities that we encourage Dr. Blumenthal to continue for the realization of the Nationwide Health Information Network.

We look forward to working with Dr. Blumenthal and his team at the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC). We also recognize and express appreciation to Dr. Robert Kolodner for his leadership and guidance during his tenure as the National Coordinator for Health IT.

H. Stephen Lieber, CAE
President & CEO
HIMSS