IBM will be hiring physicians and other clinicians

IBM recently announced a "$100 million health care initiative" that includes the hiring of physicians, nurses, and other clinicians. Here's a snippet from their July 15 press release:

ARMONK, N.Y., - 15 Jul 2010: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced plans to enlist some of the company’s leading scientists and technologists to help medical practitioners and insurance companies provide high-quality, evidence-based care to patients. As part of this initiative, IBM is collaborating with clinicians in medical institutions and hiring medical doctors to work alongside its researchers to develop new technologies, scientific advancements, and business processes for healthcare and insurance providers.

Later, IBM goes on to say this:

As part of this initiative, IBM expects to hire several physicians, clinicians, nurses, engineers, economists and social scientists.

I'm not entirely sure what they mean by "several," but let's hope that it's more than just a handful. After all, there are many physicians out there who are eager to get involved in health IT initiatives in both the public and the private sectors.  It's no surprise that major technology companies like IBM will be hiring physicians. After all, the government is spending billions of dollars on health IT and we will see many other health IT opportunities open up for physicians and other health care professionals.

You can read the IBM press release here.