HIMSS Professional Development Committee Reflects on Year of Growth, Impact, Gratitude

By Gabriel Garcia-Lopez | 2023 HIMSS Professional Development Committee Chair

As the year draws to a close, along with my appointment as chair of the HIMSS Professional Development Committee, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on a year marked by achievements and dedication to advancing the careers of new and existing healthcare professionals.

We are incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished together and remain deeply committed to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive in the ever-evolving digital healthcare landscape.

Looking back on our achievements

• We expanded the HIMSS Resource Center with over a dozen thought-provoking publications and thousands of pageviews. These articles have enhanced the Career Planning Center of the HIMSS JobMine.
• We provided professional resume, LinkedIn and Career Advisement guidance for 400 people during the 2023 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition.
• We assisted in the successful curation of 12 educational sessions across the Professional Development Seminar and Workforce ConneXtions events at HIMSS23.
• We reviewed and identified the HIMSS24 Emerging Healthcare Leaders poster panelists.
• We made updates to HIMSS Health Information and Technology Job Descriptions.
• We made updates to the online Healthcare Career Pathways tool, leading to an anticipated rollout to version 2.0 in 2024.

Looking to the future

I am energized by the progress we have made and am also excited for the opportunities ahead in 2024. In the coming year, the committee has begun to set priorities to engage committee members in developing tools, resources and content related to career services workforce development. The committee has already begun to establish and prioritize goals and objectives for next year.

2024 Professional Development Committee priorities

• Continue to develop and expand Health Information and Technology Job Descriptions. This also includes helping produce version 3.0 of the Career Pathways journey tool.
• Write career and workforce development articles to contribute to overall HIMSS global content.
• Committee volunteers will review the 2025 HIMSS Emerging Healthcare Leaders poster panelists to be displayed at the HIMSS25 Global Health Conference and Exhibition.

A message of gratitude

The success of the HIMSS Professional Development Committee would not be possible without our members' incredible dedication and contributions and the leadership of HIMSS staff. Thank you to Mara Daiker and Gina Pope for your commitment to lead the committee to success. I am deeply grateful for everyone’s pledge to empower healthcare professionals and, in doing so, advancing the field overall.

Welcoming new leadership

As we embark on a new chapter, we are excited to welcome Connie Saltsman as the incoming HIMSS Professional Development Committee chair. Saltsman brings a wealth of experience and leadership skills to the table, and I am confident that they will guide the committee towards even greater heights.

Moving forward with excitement

I am invigorated by the opportunities ahead for the Professional Development Committee. I am dedicated to continuing involvement with HIMSS and helping support its mission of reforming the global health ecosystem through the power of information and technology. The Professional Development Committee plays a vital role in supporting this mission by providing exceptional professional development resources to healthcare professionals worldwide.

While my service on the committee concludes this month, I am empowered to stay engaged and actively participate in other HIMSS programs and initiatives. By continuing my involvement as a member of the HIMSS Analytics North Americas Advisory Board and by participating in the HIMSS Global Conference, I am also doing my part to create a more skilled and knowledgeable healthcare workforce, ultimately leading to a healthier future for all so that collectively we may realize the full health potential of every human, everywhere.

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,

Gabriel Garcia-Lopez | 2023 HIMSS Professional Development Committee Chair