The Chicago-based Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) has been recognized the Mayor of Houston, Annise D. Parker for their efforts in the HIMSS Latino community to promote the adoption of health information technology in underserved areas in and around the city.
“Whereas, HIMSS Latino community, an organization focused on the health IT needs for the rapidly growing Latino community, supports the initiative [of the HHS Office of Minority Health to reach out to providers serving…underserved communities] as part of its education and outreach programs, which nationally promote the engagement of minority providers and the meaningful use of health IT and EHRs,” Parker said in a statement.
With this Houston initiative, HIMSS is aiming to reduce health disparities in the city’s Latino community. Led by a grant from Care360 the healthcare IT subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics, and the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Minority Health, it includes the participation of HIMSS Latino community, Medic Success, and the National Health Information Technology Collaborative for the Underserved.
HIMSS put together a workshop for Latino providers in Las Vegas at the HIMSS12 conference. It included a keynote speech from California Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA), a member of the House leadership. Becerra said, “What you’re doing is crucial… Health IT is here to stay. It should be ubiquitous. No one should be invisible.”
