4. What are the benefits of participating in the program? If you were encouraging a fledgling HIT tweeter to partake in it, what would you tell them?

First of all, the primary benefit is that you simply have fun.  Other side-benefits are that many other folks in the #HealthIT and #HITsm get to know you. It's like a #FollowFriday on steroids for this unique community.  My follower count increases by several hundreds during the #HIT100 contest. I also get the opportunity to follow many that I had never noticed before. It's definitely a great opportunity to grow in social media.

If you're a newbie in social media use, [it's] the opportunity to follow many folks that provide valuable healthcare content. You can also let yourself be known by sharing information within the context of the #HealthIT, #HITsm and #HIT100 hashtags.

5. Do you see the program growing and continuing in the years to come? What hopes do you have for the program, or are there any goals you would like to achieve with it?
 
I certainly hope so! Last year was a surprise, and this year has been one as well.  For anything you plant, you have to wait until it grows and bears fruit.
 
I would like folks to proudly identify themselves with #HIT100 and #HIT5. It would be great if the recognition could go beyond and be echoed in our industry through our organizations such as HIMSS and RSNA.  We could possibly have a HIMSS roundtable formed by noticeable #HIT100 or #HIT5 recipients to give good advice on how to use social media in the context of healthcare. Opportunities abound.