HIMSS MiddleEast09

Welcome to the HIMSS MiddleEast09 Conference Newsletter, a monthly publication with information on the upcoming conference on 5-7 May 2009 in Manama, Bahrain. This e-publication will be in your email inbox on the last Sunday of the month from January through April and will provide timely updates and information on the conference.
Learn More about HIMSS MiddleEast09

Meet the Keynote Speakers

At HIMSS MiddleEast09, an outstanding group of keynote presenters will be part of the agenda. These speakers offer insights into issues and trends on healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems in the Gulf region. The information below provides a brief introduction of each keynote presenter with more information on the Keynote Speakers page of the conference Web site. With these healthcare IT leaders on the conference agenda, don’t miss this first HIMSS MiddleEast09 conference in May. Register now.

Wednesday, 6 May
Opening Keynotes
9:00 – 10:15

On Wednesday morning, attendees at HIMSS MiddleEast09 will hear from three healthcare IT leaders from the Gulf region. Continue reading to learn more about these speakers who will offer their perspective on healthcare and health IT in the region.

His Excellency Dr Faisal Al Hamar, Minister of Health, Bahrain, will welcome attendees to the conference on Wednesday morning. In 2007, Dr Faisal Al Hamar was appointed to Minister of Health by a Royal Decree. He has 32 years of service in the Ministry of Health and has held positions as a Biochemist in the Pathology Department; Chairman in Allied Health Division; Dean at College of Health Sciences; and from 2000 to present is a Member of the Board of Trustees, University of Bahrain.
Dr Tawfik A M Khoja, MBBS, DPHC, FRGP, FFPH, FRCP (UK), Director General, Executive Board Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council States, will also welcome attendees on Wednesday morning. Dr. Tawfik Khoja has more than 25 years experience in the medical field. He is registered as Adjunct Professor with Graduate College, Liberty Studies, University of Oklahoma, USA. He recently received the Fellowship of The Royal College of Physicians, Internal Medicine, United Kingdom.
Dr Yasir Khan, Clinical Advisor, National Program for e-Health, Qatar,  provides the morning keynote address on Wednesday. In addition to his role as Clinical Advisor, Dr.Khan is a physician by training and also holds a masters degree in software engineering. Much of Dr Khan’s training has been in the United Kingdom, where along with his clinical career; he also worked on a multibillion pound national program for e-health.

Thursday, 7 May
Opening Keynote
8:00 - 9:00

On Thursday morning, Dr Saadi Taher, opens the conference with his keynote presentation.  Since 2001, Dr. Taher has been the Executive Director of Medical Services, Saudi National Guard Health Affairs, Central Region, King Abdulaziz Medical City. He is a Fellow in Nephrology from the University of Colorado Medical Center, USA and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, United Kingdom.

Thursday, 7 May
Closing Keynotes
15:00 -16:15

HIMSS MiddleEast09 comes to a close on Thursday afternoon with two keynote speakers who will share their experiences and expertise on health IT management.

Ms Jay Srini, Chief Innovation Officer, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Plan, is responsible for developing the methods, tools and strategies that result in innovative health care solutions and positive consumer experiences. She uses her experience in information technology, research and leadership to provide total solutions to a quickly evolving health care methodology. Ms Srini also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University.
Mr Doug D Cusick is EMEA HCLS Industry Executive - Global Healthcare BD Leader, IBM (member of COCIR). Mr. Cusick is the EMEA Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry Executive for IBM, where he promotes IBM’s brand solutions and assets in healthcare provider, payer and life sciences. He is experienced in designing and implementing programs to help healthcare providers and payers measure and achieve their value on investment in healthcare information technology.

A Conversation with an Industry Visionary

The HIMSS MiddleEast09 International Planning Committee provided strategic recommendations to HIMSS in developing the program for the conference. In each issue of this newsletter, a member of the committee will provide his/her perspective on healthcare IT issues and trends in the Gulf region.

Here, Ebrahim Al-Nawakda, Ministry of Health, Bahrain, shares his thoughts.

Q: What are the top three reasons for attending HIMSS Middle East09?

A.

• Networking with professionals from all over the world
• New trends in healthcare IT
• Gain from similar projects around the region

Q. What is the benefit of healthcare new technologies to the Middle East?

A.

• This sector is moving rapidly, hence, sharing knowledge is of high importance.

Q. What could help the region lead the transformation of healthcare with health IT? In other words, what needs to happen in the region so that it can lead healthcare improvement with health IT?

A.

• Strategic planning
• Exposure to new trends and technologies
• Government support

Q. What are some specific solutions you and your colleagues look for at a healthcare IT conference?

A.

• How others gained from their experience in this area
• What are the main restrictions?
• What are the best technologies available?

Q. What are the major industry challenges/problems/issues your profession faces?

A.

• Budget retraining
• Health IT technologies are not on the top list of priorities
• Lack of expertise in the region
• Commitment of the big companies to the region (This could worsen due to the credit crunch.)
  

HIMSS MiddleEast09
was developed in
response to the region’s demonstrated commitment to achieving world-class healthcare and health information IT status.

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MEDIA PARTNER

Questions

For general information and registration, contact:
T: +32 2 793 7630
F: +32 2 793 7631
Email: customerservice
@himssme.org

For sponsorship information, contact:
Kelly Laidler,
Senior Director of Sales
+1 312-915-9285
klaidler@himss.org

To register: 
Go to the registration page to sign up now for the conference.

To reserve a hotel room:  Go to the hotel reservation page for more information.