Joyce Lofstrom
HIMSS
+1-312-915 9237
jlofstrom@himss.org

OMG and HIMSS to Collaborate on
Healthcare Standards Development, Conferences and Resources

Needham, MA, and Chicago, IL, USA – November 7, 2011 – Leaders of the computer industry standards organization OMG®, and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) a cause-based, not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare, have agreed to collaborate on several fronts, including standards development, conferences and resources such as whitepapers and webinars. OMG will become an Affiliate Member of HIMSS, and HIMSS will become a Domain Member of OMG. This collaboration will result in a new effort to deliver healthcare industry-specific guidance and specifications enabling the national vision of secure and seamless exchange of health information.

“I couldn't be more excited about the emerging relationship with HIMSS. HIMSS' impact and reach into the healthcare community is unprecedented, and OMG has a tremendous track record of producing practical, usable standards in dozens of vertical markets, including health. Working together is a natural, symbiotic relationship. We believe we can positively contribute to the HIMSS community, and look forward to closer collaboration to better meet the challenges faced within health and health IT,” said Ken Rubin, co-chair, Healthcare DTF at OMG.

“This collaboration is a perfect match, bringing together OMG’s ability to drive standards and HIMSS deep wealth of healthcare knowledge. I look forward to supporting this effort and the contributions we can make to the HIMSS community,” said Robert Lario, principal, Visumpoint, co-chair, Healthcare DTF at OMG.

“Integration and interoperability of healthcare information has been a HIMSS strategic priority over many years,” said Jim St.Clair, Senior Director, Interoperability and Standards, HIMSS. “This collaboration with OMG, in conjunction with our leadership in the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) USA, adds another pillar of support to this priority for 2012.”

Initial collaborative activities include OMG Healthcare Domain Task Force participation in upcoming HIMSS events such as a Connectathon, a presentation on enterprise architecture during the November HIMSS virtual conference, and a presence at HIMSS12, scheduled for February 20-24 in Las Vegas. HIMSS will participate in the Semantic and SOA Services Information Day at the OMG Technical Meeting in Santa Clara, Calif. on December 14, in the upcoming OMG healthcare event Interconnected Health 2012, which will include a HIMSS track, and will participate on the program review committee. The groups have also agreed to author joint whitepapers.

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About HIMSS
HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded 51 years ago, HIMSS and its related organizations are headquartered in Chicago with additional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. HIMSS represents more than 40,000 individual members, of which more than two thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. HIMSS also includes over 540 corporate members and more than 120 not-for-profit organizations that share our mission of transforming healthcare through the effective use of information technology and management systems. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare practices and public policy through its content expertise, professional development, research initiatives, and media vehicles designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to improving the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. To learn more about HIMSS and to find out how to join us and our members in advancing our cause, please visit our website at www.himss.org. 

About OMG
OMG® is an international, open membership, not-for-profit computer industry standards consortium. OMG Task Forces develop enterprise integration standards for a wide range of technologies and an even wider range of industries. OMG’s modeling standards enable powerful visual design, execution and maintenance of software and other processes. For more information, visit www.omg.org.

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Edited by Stephanie