The HIMSS relationship with the BioDistrict of New Orleans continues to move forward with the hopes of supporting a healthcare IT workforce that is collaborative, expansive and recognizes the continued need for career training for available and upcoming health IT jobs in New Orleans. The BioDistrict New Orleans has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HIMSS to advance workforce health IT initiatives anticipated to grow in the next several years in BioDistrict New Orleans. The agreement focuses on educational, career support and online initiatives before and during the 2013 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, which will be held in New Orleans on March 3-7, 2013.

The synergies between the two organizations focus on career development and resources offered by HIMSS, recognizing the ongoing demand for skilled health IT employees in the BioDistrict. The BioDistrict, Louisiana’s #1 Employment Center, encompasses 1,500 acres spanning the Downtown and Mid-City areas of New Orleans and focuses on the development of the biosciences industry in New Orleans that will provide world-class biosciences research and development; local, regional, and global healthcare delivery; and stable, high-paying jobs for professionals, managers and workers representing a wide range of skills.

HIMSS will work with BioDistrict to provide career development resources, through white papers, online webinars and other online and career-supporting tools such as utilizing the HIT Body of Knowledge into the curriculum. This in turn will better equip current professionals to learn grow, and advance in their health IT careers. The agreement also uses the added HIMSS Career Services offerings such as the HIMSS JobMine® job listings, online mentoring and an emerging professional’s community, resources that can be used in the BioDistrict.

At HIMSS13, BioDistrict will be part of the conference Career Services Institute, a full-day program on Tuesday, March 4, 2013. The Career Services Institute will feature Peggy Parks, a nationally recognized career coach, and will support networking opportunities for all participants.

“This partnership with HIMSS will serve as an example of how BioDistrict New Orleans is creating opportunities for workforce development and training to build a successful biosciences industry in New Orleans,” said James P. McNamara, President & CEO of BioDistrict New Orleans. “Through our work with HIMSS, new companies will be recruited, creating more high paying jobs in the bioscience and healthcare IT industry and providing the foundation for viable careers for the people of New Orleans.” 

“The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce is happy to facilitate a relationship of this magnitude to benefit the residents of our city, state and region. Anytime there is a chance for economic development and job creation, especially in the growing healthcare IT industry, its considered a win for the future of New Orleans,” said Ben Johnson, President & CEO, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.

So stay tuned as more information and programming come into sight as the planning is already beginning!

And remember...Be passionate about your career path and strive to make a difference and learn, learn…learn.  Technology is only the enabler; individuals will be the “transformers” of health IT in the years to come!