HIMSS has introduced the HIMSS Changemaker in Health Awards to celebrate inspirational and innovative healthcare leaders for their relentless pursuit to improve care by harnessing the power of information and technology. HIMSS invited the public to help select the 2023 award recipients in several categories including the HIMSS Most Influential Women in Health IT Awards and HIMSS Senior Executive Awards. Award recipients were selected by the open ballot and with input from the HIMSS Board of Directors.
HIMSS is proud that several nurse leaders are recognized recipients of this year's awards. Victoria Tiase, PhD, RN-BC, FAMIA, FNAP, FAAN, Strategic Director, Digital Health, and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, School of Medicine, received the 2023 HIMSS Most Influential Women in Health IT Award. Kathleen McGrow, DNP, MS, RN, PMP, Chief Nursing Information Officer and Industry Executive, Microsoft, and Catherine Turner, BSN, MBA, RN-BC, Associate Vice President, MEDITECH both received the HIMSS Senior Executive Award.
Vicky Tiase's career spans from leading education efforts for electronic health record implementations, leveraging technology solutions to improve the patient experience, to mentoring digital health startups. Dr Tiase has a history of successfully pioneering new models of care that integrate technology solutions and other innovative digital health tools. Vicky has served as the Chair of the HIMSS Nursing Informatics Committee, and ANI Steering Committee Member, and currently the Co-coordinator of the ANI Policy Committee and recently served on the National Academy of Medicine Committee on the Future of Nursing 2030. "I am honored to be selected for the 2023 HIMSS Changemaker Most Influential Women in Health IT Award and thrilled to represent the nursing profession," says Tiase. "I chose a career in healthcare to help others live their best and healthiest lives. Seeing and hearing stories about clinicians, patients, colleagues, and individuals that have used data and technology to make positive changes in their lives is a constant source of inspiration to me. I treasure the support of the Women in Health IT and nursing informatics communities that constantly lift me up and make me a better person. I will continue to elevate voices of nurses and women and make a transformative difference in healthcare."
Kathleen McGrow's expertise in data, analytics, and artificial intelligence is used to educate organizations on how to enhance clinical, operational, and financial performance; maximize capacity and patient experience; and transform to new care models and paradigms. Her experience includes engaging with various C-suite executives, clinicians, care managers, and a geographically dispersed team of clinical and technical experts. Dr McGrow has served on both the HIMSS Nursing Informatics and Innovation Committees and lent her expertise as moderator, author, and presenter to many HIMSS initiatives. "To be recognized as a changemaker and thought leader in healthcare information technology is not only an honor, but a responsibility to continue driving innovation to use technology to improve the lives of both providers and patients," says Dr McGrow. "In addition, to ensure healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and effective so we progress towards a healthier future for all."
Throughout her career, Cathy Turner has provided guidance on informatics competencies for nursing, emerging technology topics including analytics, interoperability, usability, and workflow. She has served as the Co-chair of the HIMSS CNO-CNIO Vendor Roundtable since 2017 leading critical conversations to optimize health engagement and care outcomes through IT by leveraging the thought leadership of HIT vendor nurse executive leaders. M. Turner has served on the Alliance for Nursing Informatics as a Governing Director representing MEDITECH contributing to the unified voice of nursing informatics among 25 nursing societies. "I am humbled to be recognized among such an impressive group of talented colleagues and healthcare leaders," says Turner. "I've always had a passion for recognizing the true potential digital transformation can have on the lives of patients and those responsible for their care. And I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to support so many incredible organizations and caregivers who work tirelessly to serve their communities. Their inspiring stories and care experiences are the driving force behind all that I do. I am in great company and appreciate the contributions all my fellow changemakers have made towards our overarching goal of improving healthcare worldwide."
All recipients were recognized at the 2023 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, IL.