It’s Time to Share Ideas and Expand Knowledge: Innovations ’09 Preview

Healthcare News | August 2, 2009

Siemens customers are preparing for what has become the most comprehensive and anticipated best-practices conference of any calendar year — Innovations ’09, Siemens annual customer education symposium being held August 8-12 at the Philadelphia Marriott & Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The four-day conference features 20 educational tracks with over 250 breakout sessions that cover the entire spectrum of topics important to today’s IT professional. Most importantly, the event is geared specifically for and supported by the experiences of Siemens customers — offering an unprecedented opportunity to learn from other users across the country.

Sharing ideas and expanding knowledge is the goal of Innovations ’09. Many attendees tell us that the peer-to-peer networking at Innovations is an extremely effective way for IT professionals to pick up great ideas to maximize the use of their systems.

“Innovations allows us to see the new features and functionalities for the product that we’re using,” says Donna Coomes, Innovation ’08 attendee and corporate director of Health Information Management at Mountain States Health Alliance. “We really benefit as an organization from the ability to network with other customers and take suggestions, ideas, and best practices … back to our own organization.”

Expo Offers Hands-On Opportunities
The two-day Expo exhibit fair at Innovations ’09 further advances the concept of expanding attendees’ knowledge. Adopting a “trade show” layout, the Expo will host 65 booths featuring products, solutions, and services by Siemens and its partners — and provides opportunities for customers to meet face-to-face with senior staff.

“This year’s Expo takes a real hands-on approach and provides our customers the opportunity to experience one-on-one demonstrations of many Siemens and partner solutions, and learn from industry experts,” says Steven Wright, Siemens Expo project lead. “This year, the five unopposed hours for the Expo means that attendees will have more time to visit the event and gain more knowledge about the array of IT solutions Siemens can offer.”

Everything You Need to Know About ARRA
Excitement is already brewing over the numerous breakout sessions Siemens has compiled around the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Discover what Siemens will be doing to help customers secure their healthcare IT investment. Learn about key HIT provisions within ARRA, what “meaningful use” really means to your organization, and how Siemens free assessment and roadmap can optimize your chances of receiving ARRA investment money.

Since the legislation was passed earlier this year, Siemens has provided a continuous stream of information on how organizations can take advantage of federal funding made available through this program. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn the latest updates of the stimulus package at the “ARRA Competency Center” booth being featured at the Expo.

Outstanding Keynote Speakers
Keynote speaker for Innovations ’09 is Philadelphia native Pat Croce, an American entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author, TV personality, and former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Other featured speakers include Siemens Healthcare’s own Janet Dillione, CEO of Health Services, and Thomas J. Miller, CEO, Workflow & Solutions.

Dillione, recognized as one of the Top 25 Women in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine, will offer insight into the immediate and long-term goals for Siemens and the vast opportunities ahead for Siemens customers. Miller will present his insightful and often intriguing views into the transformational potential of HIT as our nation is in the midst of the largest healthcare reform effort ever undertaken.

It’s Time to Innovate
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from your peers and take advantage of the Siemens and industry experts that will be available to you at Innovations ‘09. Plus, the conference provides Category A ASRT continuing education credits and select sessions will offer educational credits from the following organizations: ACHE, ACPE, ANCC, HFMA, and NASBA (credits are pending approval from accrediting organizations).

For more information about Innovations ’09 and the other symposiums taking place over the four-day period — CPOE Symposium, Nursing Informatics Symposium, and Soarian® EDM and HIM User Group Meeting — visit www.shsusers.org/Innovations/Innovations09.