David J. Shulkin, MD, the ninth Secretary of Veterans Affairs, will keynote the 2018 HIMSS Conference and Exhibition. During his keynote, Secretary Shulkin will discuss medical care for veterans, as well as the changes and innovations occurring at the VA.

Shulkin’s address is entitled “It Takes a Community – Delivering 21st Century Coordinated Care for Those In and Out of Uniform.” He has been overseeing the VA’s high-profile health IT move from its VistA electronic health records system to the Cerner EHR.

Prior to serving as secretary, Shulkin was the VA’s undersecretary for health for 18 months, leading the country’s largest integrated healthcare system with more than 1,700 sites of care serving nearly nine million veterans.

Before he began his service with the VA, Shulkin held numerous chief executive roles at Morristown Medical Center and the Atlantic Health System Accountable Care Organization. He also served as president and CEO of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

Shulkin will be joined by Vice Admiral Raquel Bono, who leads a joint, integrated Combat Support Agency enabling the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps medical services to provide a medically ready force to combatant commands in both peacetime and wartime.

During her HIMSS18 keynote, Vice Admiral Bono will discuss advancements in military health to ensure seamless data delivery and care coordination.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson will deliver the closing keynote address. From his decades as charismatic face of the Los Angeles Lakers – first, as Hall of Fame point guard, now as president of basketball operations – to his current status as a billionaire investor and catalyst for positive change in the community, Johnson has always been a larger-than-life personality. At HIMSS18, Johnson will offer insights based not just on his legendary exploits on the court, but his experiences with the U.S. healthcare system as a longtime HIV patient.

Twitter: @SiwickiHealthIT
Email the writer: bill.siwicki@himssmedia.com