HIMSS Announces New Latino Health IT Initiative

With the Hispanic population as the nation’s largest minority, the Chicago-based HIMSS announces the establishment of a new HIMSS Latino Initiative to focus on health IT needs for the rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino market.

During HIMSS11, the HIMSS Latino Initiative will host a program featuring a keynote speech by former U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello, MD. Other presentations include a panel with industry leaders including David R. Hunt, M.D., FACS, Chief Medical Officer in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a networking reception. Panel discussions will include the State of Latino Health/Health Disparities, and Health IT Adoption in the Hispanic Community and Overcoming Barriers. This complimentary event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 20, from 2-5 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

HIMSS’ new Latino Initiative will be led by a workgroup that is open to all HIMSS members and will meet monthly via teleconference. Luis Belen, President and CEO of VWCGlobal and Founder, President and CEO at Medic Success; and Danny Vargas, President of VARCom Solutions, have been named as co-chairs of this workgroup by HIMSS Board Chair C. Martin Harris, M.D., MBA.