HIMSS, the global advisor focused on healthcare digital transformation worldwide, announced this week the launch of its new enhanced membership program.

HIMSS, parent company of Healthcare IT News, is a professional society with a growing community of some 125,000 individual members and 1,500 organizational members including health systems and other provider organizations, nonprofits and technology developers.

The society and its global network serve as a trusted resources for health system executives, clinicians, IT professionals and others across the healthcare industry.

The newly enhanced HIMSS Membership program – learn more about it here – offers access to an array of resources for members working to tackle challenges across the healthcare ecosystem: complimentary digital maturity assessment tools, professional development programs, exclusive educational resources and networking opportunities.

Among the benefits of membership, stakeholders can access proprietary research on AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation and more through HIMSS’s Office of Scientific Research and HIMSS Market Insights.

In addition to those research papers, studies, webinars and surveys, healthcare organizations can also track and benchmark their progress with complimentary assessment surveys using the HIMSS maturity models.

Enhanced membership also includes professional development resources such as skills-based training courses and other HIMSS certifications that support career advancement. Additionally, HIMSS members have access to dozens of programs and events that bring members together to network, share ideas and convene with a global community of thought leaders – and the opportunity to connect and collaborate with hundreds of global HIMSS chapters and communities.

THE LARGER TREND
Over the past year and a half, HIMSS "has been on a listening tour across all areas of our member community, holding focus groups, surveys, interviews and candid conversations; all focused on the value of HIMSS membership," Jim Burnett, vice president of engagement strategies at HIMSS, tells Healthcare IT News.

"Coming out of that extensive investigation, we have launched new membership programs for North America that put our members in the center of everything we do to support the community.  From extending our benefit offerings to include greater access to digital health transformation tools, to leveraging our internal technology to deliver persona-specific content to our members at their time of need, these new programs offer greater support and community engagement."

In particular, the inclusion of unlimited HIMSS Maturity Models for members is a valuable offering, said Burnett. "These tools help establish a roadmap for digital health transformation unparalleled in the industry and offer the ability for a health system to identify their best strategic path forward."

Members "will discover exciting new ways to develop professionally, network with a community of over 120,000 members, and contribute to some of the biggest conversations in healthcare through 55 local chapters, events, and specialty communities," he added.

Going forward, said Burnett, "our members can anticipate some great new collaborations across the sector, even richer opportunities to network and engage with the community, and more educational opportunities to grow in their professions."

ON THE RECORD
"For decades, HIMSS and its members have been the epicenter of health and healthcare innovation," said HIMSS president and CEO Hal Wolf in a press statement. "The newly enhanced membership program reflects our strategic focus on expanding the HIMSS global network, advancing collaboration, and equipping health professionals with the resources they need to address healthcare’s most pressing challenges including workforce development, artificial intelligence application, cybersecurity and digital transformation."

"The HIMSS society was developed by members for members. As our members succeed, the healthcare system thrives," he added. "Our evolving membership program represents our commitment to empowering the individuals and organizations shaping the future of the health ecosystem."

Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.