HIMSS Academic Health IT Directory

The following is a press release about the HIMSS Academic Health IT Directory which lists 395 separate institutions that provide 499 programs in health IT. If you're interested in strengthening your health IT skills and entering the industry, then you may want to take a look at this directory.

Enhance and Advance Health Information Technology Education with HIMSS Academic HIT Directory

CHICAGO (May 31, 2012) – Recent government initiatives, policies and requirements are fueling a demand for healthcare information professionals who can support this reform, and work, in the American healthcare system. HIMSS State HIT Dashboard now offers the Academic Health IT Directory, a central resource for campus-based, online and blended health IT academic programs across the country for those seeking a career in the field.

The Academic Health IT Directory lists 395 separate institutions that provide 499 programs. Users will find the URL for the school, accreditation (CAHIIM or AMIA 10x10), program name and type (associate, undergraduate, graduate, fellowship, certificate); delivery method (online-only; blended; brick and mortar); program contact name, department, address, email; and URL for the program.

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Survey regarding physician executive employment

The following is a press release that came out yesterday regarding a survey conducted among physician executives attending the 2012 ACPE conference:

Survey Results Reveal Specific Healthcare Talent Issues

Select International released the results of a survey conducted at the annual meeting of the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) in San Francisco. The survey polled C-suite executives, medical directors, chief quality officers and practice presidents around topics that included talent acquisition and physician employment.

(PRWEB) May 30, 2012

Select International, a provider of employee assessments and hiring systems, released the results of a survey conducted at the annual meeting of the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) in San Francisco. The survey polled C-suite executives, medical directors, chief quality officers and practice presidents around topics that included talent acquisition and physician employment.

Among the findings was an overall consensus that healthcare organizations, not unlike other industries, are struggling with identifying and placing the right individuals into their workforce. The impact of this challenge is heightened in healthcare, however, as organizations strive to face the challenges of reform. In each of the areas addressed, more than half of the respondents rated their organizations as less than effective. Some of the specific results are highlighted below:

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ACPE members sharing their stories at the 2012 annual conference

For the third year, ACPE (American College of Physician Executives) hosted a poster presentation during its 2012 Annual Meeting, an event that draws physicians from all over the country to share success stories and describe challenges they've faced. This year, 25 people were selected to participate in the session, which was held Saturday, April 28, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, Calif.

Charisse Jimenez, ACPE's membership director and the organizer of the event, said she was overwhelmed by the quality of the presentations. "Our members have so many interesting and valuable lessons to share," Jimenez said. "The poster session provides an excellent opportunity for our physician leaders to discuss common problems, get advice from their colleagues and learn a little more about what's going on in the world of health care leadership."

After the two-hour event, the presentations are captured in a digital library, which is located on the ACPE web site.

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Contemplating B-School?

If you're thinking about business school, you may want to sign up for the next Which MBA? Online Fair on September 5th and 6th 2012. Meet admissions officers from even more business schools and watch new webinars. Sign up and learn more here.

Hope to see you in Chicago at ASCO 2012

Later this week, I'll be in Chicago attending the 2012 ASCO conference. ASCO is the American Society of Clinical Oncology and it's the biggest conference in the area of oncology. I'll be in Chicago from 6/1 to 6/5 attending the ASCO conference. Here are a few places where you'll be able to find me:

• CME Corner (exhibit booth # 2109) - we're providing information about free CME/CE activities for the oncology community
• Mobile Health Association (exhibit booth # 4043) - I'll be speaking about the use of online mobile and social tools for oncologists

If you use Twitter, don't miss the #ASCO12 tweetup on Saturday, June 2 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm (CDT).

Brave New World For Life Sciences

The following is a guest post.

Author: Jim Kelly

In the area of life sciences, there have been many breakthroughs over the years. At the rate of discoveries taking place, there will probably be many new industries in the not-so-distant future that haven't even been thought of yet. Here are a few areas that could spur job growth, and provide new opportunities for people who are looking for careers.

Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research has grown rapidly in recent years, and many think that it holds the key to some pretty unbelievable advances in medicine. By working with companies like Huntingdon Life Sciences, you could choose to get involved in the forefront of this industry. There are many different cures for diseases that have come from this discipline, and many feel like there is a lot more potential left.

HIV Research

Not that long ago, HIV and AIDS were considered to be some of the most dangerous things in the world. Thanks to research in this area, many people are now living with the HIV virus without any problems. They take a number of advanced drugs that suppress the symptoms of HIV, and help people to live normal lives. Scientists are still working on a cure for HIV and AIDS. This will inevitably be a big area of life sciences in the coming years. If you are thinking about getting into a field of science, this could be a good one to get involved with. If you helped contribute to a cure to HIV or some kind of drug that helps those who suffer from it, you could make a big difference in society overall.

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I always enjoy visiting San Francisco

I just came back from a very short trip to San Francisco and I was reminded of all the different reasons why I enjoy visiting this "mecca" of innovation. In Silicon Valley, so much is happening in the world of health information technology, mobile health, and social media. You're constantly surrounded by innovation and interesting ideas. There's also never a dull moment in that interesting city. I wish I could have spent some more time in SF, but it was a quick trip. I was primarily in SF because our education company was developing some education with several pulmonologists who were all attending the 2012 American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference. You'll see a new CME activity related to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) coming out on our website CMEcorner.com.

I also enjoyed a nice chat with a few different people as we talked about the evolution of the pharmaceutical industry, medical writing, and in mobile devices and computers.

My next major business trip will be in Chicago. I also enjoy visiting Chicago and it seems like I find myself there several times each year for various meetings, conferences, and events.

MIT and Harvard recently announced edX

Online education has reached a new level recently. Plus, the business model behind education may be facing some disruptive innovation because of edX.

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently announced edX, a transformational new partnership in online education. Through edX, the two institutions will collaborate to enhance campus-based teaching and learning and build a global community of online learners.

EdX is a joint partnership between The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University to offer online learning to millions of people around the world. EdX will offer Harvard and MIT classes online for free. Through this partnership, the institutions aim to extend their collective reach to build a global community of online learners and to improve education for everyone.

EdX is a Cambridge-based not-for-profit, equally owned and funded by Harvard and MIT. The first set of courses will be announced in the summer and will begin in the Fall 2012.

Learn more about edX here.

Hospitals employ almost 20 percent of all physicians

As more physicians choose an employment model, what will happen to independent physicians? What will happen to those physicians who are still in private practice?

These days, hospitals and health systems are seeing more requests from independent physicians about employment options. Hospitals are acquiring independent physician practices and offering compensation packages that include financial incentives (bonus payments) that are linked to patient satisfaction ratings and clinical performance and health care quality. These types of financial incentives may currently only be 3-5% of total physician compensation, but it is expected to increase to about 7-10% of physician total compensation.

If you are still in private practice, do you see yourself staying in that model until you retire? Or, will you be one of those independent physicians switching to an employment model?

If you are interested in learning more, read the Sullivan Cotter's 2011 Physician Compensation and Productivity Survey Report by Sullivan, Cotter and Associates, Inc.

Evisors: find a career coach

What happens when you get two Harvard MBA graduates starting a company designed to provide expert advice? You get Evisors. 

Consult with leading experts to help you and your business succeed.

If you're already an expert, you can become an advisor on Evisor as well to generate some supplemental income.

Evisors is looking for professionals at all levels, from analysts to senior executives, with domain expertise in:

• Careers - Job Search, Resumes, and Interviews
• Admissions - Prep School, College, and Grad School
• Business - All Industries and Functions

Learn more here: http://www.evisors.com

5 simple reasons why physicians should join Doximity

Connect with other physicians in a secure, private online network. Here are 5 reasons why physicians should join Doximity (I copied the following directly from the Doximity page):

1. Reconnect. Stay in touch with colleagues, former classmates and co-residents. Over 80% of US physicians already have a message waiting for them.
2. Save time. Get phone, fax and back office numbers in seconds. Over 700,000 MD profiles with education, training, certifications, publications, and more.
3. Get noticed. Make your practice more visible to our 50,000+ active physician users by filling out your profile or uploading your CV.
4. Fax anywhere. Get your own free digital fax line. Send and receive faxes from your mobile phone or the web. No charge.
5. Earn honoraria. Clients paid over $100 million to MDs last year for research, 2nd opinions, and medicolegal consulting. Average rate is $500/hr.

You can join here: https://www.doximity.com

Job Posting: Medical Officer

Job Posting:

Medical Officer
The Henry M. Jackson Foundation
Bethesda, MD 20817

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF) is seeking a Medical Officer to support the Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (DAIDS) of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) as part of the HJF-DAIDS Program., located on Rockledge Drive in Bethesda, Maryland. HJF provides administrative and management support to DAIDS.

DAIDS was formed in 1986 to develop and implement the national research agenda to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the mission of DAIDS is to help ensure an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by increasing basic knowledge of the pathogenesis and transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), supporting the development of therapies for HIV infection and its complications and co-infections, and supporting the development of vaccines and other prevention strategies.

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The HIMSS Virtual Career Fair is Today

Today, HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) is having a virtual career fair from 11am-7:30pm CT. You can "attend" this career fair virtually by sitting in front of your computer.

The Virtual Career Fair is a state-of-the-art, web- based event for connecting qualified clinical and non-clinical health IT job seekers with recruiters nationwide.

Learn more and register here.

Pharmaceutical Executive May 2012

If you have an interest in learning more about the pharmaceutical industry, make sure to read the Pharmaceutical Executive magazine on a regular basis. Get familiar with the terminology and the key issues that impact the pharma industry today. You can read the May 2012 issue here (digital issue).

Generating supplemental income through telemedicine

These days, a growing number of physicians are eager to leave clinical practice to enter the non-clinical business world of health care. However, there is also an opportunity to generate income by virtually "visiting" patients using your webcam and a secure telemedicine portal that offers patients direct access to physicians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You could sign up to provide care through one of these portals, but you'll need to be familiar with interstate telemedicine regulations governing medical licensure. Otherwise, you could end up on a news story because you were practicing medicine in a state (treating a patient who lived in another state) where you did not have a medical license.

The issue concerning medical licensure and telemedicine is a hot topic right now. Many regulatory bodies recognize that telemedicine is a cost-effective way to deliver care, but many physicians face barriers regarding the issue of interstate medical licensure. It's rather cumbersome to get a license in every state. Plus, some states have requirements that literally make it impossible for you to get a license unless you live there.

I've been writing about telemedicine on one of my other websites (see those stories here) and I will be continuing to follow the telemedicine industry closely. There are many overlapping themes with mobile health (mHealth) and telemedicine given that the technologies are converging and mobile devices are becoming powerful telemedicine tools as well. Get familiar with telemedicine because you won't want to miss the opportunity to monetize those virtual visits with your patients. The next major trend will be some sort of concierge televisit through the use of smartphones and tablets.

Operations Integration Administrative Residency

If you are a medical student, resident, or fellow, have you considered an Operations Integration Administrative Residency, Internship, or Fellowship? Johns Hopkins University has a unique program that may be of interest to you. Here are some of the details:

The residency experience at the Johns Hopkins Health System’s Department of Operations Integration is a matchless opportunity. The focus of the residency program includes projects to conceive and implement the healthcare delivery model of the future; designing and applying patient-centered best practices; and the integration of safety, quality improvement, and innovative technologies in hospital and health system design and administration.

The combination of four acute care hospitals, multiple ambulatory care programs, a homecare practice, a managed care contracting entity, and several physician/academic group practices offers qualified applicants an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a variety of healthcare delivery and support settings. Residents work closely with executive leadership, senior clinical, non-clinical, and financial administrators, physicians and nurses to conceive and implement plans and procedures for patient care, business improvement, and program development.

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Biotech Bay Area Career Fair

Biotech Bay Career Fair
San Francisco Airport Marriott
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
1pm to 6pm

Exhibiting companies include:

• Amgen
• Baxter International, Inc.
• Bayside Solutions, Inc.
• Dynavax Technologies
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Learn more here.

Synergy Pharmaceuticals Appoints Gail M. Comer, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer

NEW YORK, May 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGYP) (Nasdaq:SGYPU) (Nasdaq:SGYPW), a developer of new drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, announced today the appointment of Gail M. Comer, M. D. as Chief Medical Officer, effective May 14, 2012. In this newly created position, Dr. Comer will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer, Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D., and will be responsible for guiding Synergy's clinical programs, including the ongoing Phase II/III study of plecanatide, the Company's leading drug candidate.

Dr. Gail Comer, a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, has more than 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having spent 7 years at Abbott Laboratories as a Medical Director, six years in clinical development at Wyeth Research as Senior Medical Director, and most recently as Senior Director of the BioTherapeutics Research Unit at Pfizer. While at Wyeth, Dr. Comer was Medical Research Leader in Gastroenterology, and more recently, while at Pfizer, was Clinical Lead for multiple biologic compounds in early development in inflammatory bowel disease.

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ACPE Physician Leadership Development Program

Bring education in-house with the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) Physician Leadership Development Program. Research published in Social Science and Medicine demonstrated a strong correlation between physician leadership and top-performing health systems. In fact, U.S. News & World Report reported that nine of the top ten U.S. hospitals are led by physician CEOs.

So how do you teach physicians the strategic skills necessary to help lead your organization?
By bringing ACPE’s education in-house.

More than 50,000 physicians worldwide have placed their confidence in ACPE to provide their leadership training.

Learn more about the ACPE’s Physician Leadership Development Program here.

Attending the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) 2012 Conference

I've been attending the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) 2012 Conference and I invite you to read my blog coverage from the meeting here on MedicineandTechnology.com and on MedicalSmartphones.com.