In Atlantic Canada, the Health Information profession can be described as: dedication to excellence meets innovation in health care. From pioneering data management strategies to spearheading transformative initiatives like ‘One Patient, One Record’, these CHIMs are at the forefront of shaping a brighter future for health care delivery. Join us in celebrating their remarkable contributions and commitment to advancing the profession. Together, let’s continue to champion excellence and drive positive change in the health care landscape.

We are thrilled to introduce Lisa McKenzie, BHA, CHIM, CIPP/C, as the newest addition to our team at the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM). As our Director, Lisa brings with her an impressive 15-year career dedicated to the advancement of Health Information Management (HIM) practices. Her leadership roles within the health system of Newfoundland and Labrador have been pivotal in shaping standards and practices not only provincially but also on a national scale. Lisa’s extensive advisory contributions to esteemed institutions such as the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Canada Health Infoway, and the Digital Governance Standards Institute underscore her commitment to driving positive change within the health care landscape.

It is important to highlight the invaluable leadership of our members in driving the profession forward. That’s why we’re excited to announce Jen Bennett, MBA, CHIM, a distinguished member of our Board of Directors, as a presenter at the upcoming Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) Conference in Halifax. Jen’s presentation, “Leading Transformation in Care, Safety, and Efficiency through Increased Health Data Literacy,” promises to offer insightful perspectives on the evolving role of HIM professionals in shaping the future of health care.

In addition to individual achievements, we take immense pride in celebrating collective successes within our community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Brandon Burt, recipient of the 2023 Georgina Williams Award. This award, for members based out of Newfoundland and Labrador and dedicated to the memory of Georgina Williams, recognizes individuals who exemplify the values of integrity, dedication, and community spirit—qualities that lie at the core of our member community.

Furthermore, we are excited to share the accreditation of the Medical Office Management program at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA). This accreditation not only highlights the dedication of CNA to providing industry-driven education but also demonstrates our members’ commitment to shaping the future of health care professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador.

As we reflect on recent community engagements across Atlantic Chapters, we are inspired by the passion and dedication demonstrated by our members in driving meaningful discussions and initiatives within the health care community. From insightful presentations to impactful stakeholder engagements, it is evident that our members are leading the charge in advancing health care excellence in the Atlantic region and beyond.

In our latest series of Atlantic Stakeholder Engagements, the dedication and leadership of our members have been paramount. Pivotal meetings took place across Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and Prince Edward Island (PEI) to drive forward the HIM profession.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, our member-led initiatives saw fruitful discussions with NL Health Services (NLHS), where the focus was on enhancing digital health through improved privacy measures, health information management, and sophisticated data and information services. The collaborative spirit of our members was also evident in our interactions with the Government of NL – Health and Community Services (HCS), where they led conversations on policy, planning, and evaluation, alongside advancing eHealth and information management. The engagement didn’t stop there; academic partnerships were strengthened through dialogues with Memorial University of NL (MUN), College of the North Atlantic (CNA), and Keyin College, thanks to the leadership and dedication of our members.

In our recent engagements in Nova Scotia, our members enabled diverse and dynamic conversations within the NS health landscape, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK leadership, and partners in the physician community. Some of our local student members had the opportunity to ask, listen, and learn about how CHIMA and the College support members and celebrate their peer as the recipient of the Future of Health Information award.

On Prince Edward Island, our member-led teams made significant strides with Health PEI, especially with the HIM Working Group and Human Resources. These meetings, guided by our members, provided critical insights and feedback on a variety of health care topics, further empowering our members to lead informed decision-making and foster collaboration within the Atlantic region.

This series of engagements, led and driven by our members, has not only provided valuable insights but has also reinforced the pivotal role our members play in leading advancements within our profession. Their commitment to driving change and fostering collaborations has set a strong foundation for our future initiatives in the Atlantic region.

We have welcomed Gennie Walton, CHE, CHIM. who is based in Nova Scotia to lead our NSPE and NB Chapters. She successfully passed the NCE in 2018 and achieved certification as a Certified Health Executive (CHE) through the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) in 2023.

We are also delighted to welcome Tina Lewis, CHIM, from New Bruswick as our new Health Information Operations Project Coordinator, bringing with her a wealth of experience and expertise to further strengthen our team and support our members’ initiatives.

In closing, we extend our sincere appreciation to all our members for their unwavering dedication and leadership in advancing the profession of Health Information Management. Together, we will continue to drive positive change and shape the future of health care delivery across Canada.