Welcome to the HIMSS Dakotas Chapter
Call for Nominations: HIMSS Dakotas Chapter Board
Dear HIMSS Dakotas Chapter Members,
We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for three key positions on the HIMSS Dakotas Chapter Board: President-Elect, Treasurer, and Member at Large. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to contribute to the growth and success of our chapter by bringing your expertise and passion to the board.
The President-Elect position is a three-year commitment, starting with a year of learning the role and duties of the President. Following this, the President-Elect will automatically assume the role of President in the second year and then serve as Past President in the third year. This role offers a unique chance to lead our chapter and make a significant impact on its direction and initiatives.
The Treasurer position is a two-year commitment, where you will be responsible for preparing the budget, ensuring all funds are spent according to policy, and making timely payments with appropriate receipts. This role is crucial for maintaining the financial health and integrity of our chapter.
The Member at Large position is also a two-year commitment, where you will add your expertise and knowledge to board deliberations, helping to shape the future of our chapter. This role is ideal for those who are passionate about contributing to strategic discussions and decisions.
We encourage all interested members to consider putting their names forward for these important roles simply by e-mailing Renae Spohn, Chair of the Nominating Committee at renae.spohn@dsu.edu by April 5th, 2025. Your participation and leadership can make a significant difference in our chapter's success.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the HIMSS Dakotas Chapter.
Best regards,
Renae Spohn
President-Elect
HIMSS Dakotas Chapter
HIMSS Dakotas Chapter President's Message
Welcome to 2025! It’s hard to believe how quickly we roll into a new year. This is always a great time to reflect on the past and set new or adjusted goals for the year ahead. Two key focuses for us this year are enhancing educational and networking opportunities and providing more value to our HIMSS chapter members.
We’re prioritizing educational offerings based on current industry issues and feedback from our membership survey. Key areas include information/data governance, AI/machine learning, cybersecurity, data integrity, and process analysis and design. Additionally, we’re partnering with other chapters to offer webinars, increasing variety in topics and opportunities to collaborate with professionals from across the country.
Being a HIMSS member provides significant value, including access to a large network of health IT professionals, educational resources, and the latest developments in healthcare technology. As busy professionals in a rapidly changing field, it’s important to stay current. Others are looking to us for leadership in many areas of digital technology. Let’s take full advantage of the benefits of membership and stay ahead of the curve in healthcare tech!
Scholarship Message
Each year, the Dakotas HIMSS Chapter offers two $1,000 scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in health information or technology. Eligibility includes a minimum 3.0 GPA, completion of at least twelve credits, and a strong desire to work in healthcare. Preferred degree areas include health information technology, health information management, health informatics, nursing informatics, industrial engineering, operations research, computer science, information systems, data analytics, mathematics, or other related fields.
Membership Message
As noted, one of our main goals this year is to bring more value to our members through quality educational and networking opportunities, while keeping you updated on what’s happening within our chapter. We’re also focusing on growing membership and engaging members in leadership roles. This could include presenting at educational sessions, joining a committee or board, or leading formal networking sessions with other professionals. We need and value your time and enthusiasm!
Help spread the word about the benefits of HIMSS membership within your healthcare system. Organizations can take advantage of unlimited HIMSS memberships for employees by obtaining Organizational Affiliate or Academic Organizational Affiliate status. These levels offer several perks, including free registrations to the national conference, discounted HIMSS event rates, reduced exam fees for HIMSS certifications, and more. For additional details, visit www.himss.org or contact patti.brooks@dsu.edu.
Lastly, please make sure your HIMSS profile is up to date. When we receive membership lists, the information in your profile helps us stay current on member details such as workplace and job titles, which in turn guides us in selecting relevant educational topics. Thank you for your cooperation!
HIMSS Dakotas Chapter
The HIMSS Chapters in South Dakota and North Dakota have been approved to merge to create a new chapter. The Chapter will include current members in those states, including the Organizational Affiliates Sanford, Avera, Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota.
The primary goal of the merger will be to create a larger chapter capable of combining the strengths of our individual organizations. By increasing the pool of members, HIMSS Dakotas Chapter will be able to offer valuable engagement in our region and retain the identity of our member organizations.
Although the merger will present geographic challenges to connecting in person, strategies can be put into action to bring members together. Virtual and regional in-person meetings will become the predominant method of connecting.
The new Chapter will work to ensure they engage Organizational Affiliates and sponsors in each state and region to ensure they achieve the value of their support for our organization. We will highlight the relationship with Academic Institutions as they hold a special place in growing the next generation of HIMSS members. A special emphasis will be made to connect with and jointly participate in professional development with the largest healthcare, healthcare information technology organizations in our region.
Other communication tools will be consolidated (email, social media, virtual conferencing).
In the end we believe this merger positions the chapter well to endure and thrive.