FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

A Strategic Fusion of Excellence and Collaboration for CHIME Foundation Firms with the 2023 CHIME Awards  

Ann Arbor, Michigan – November 28, 2023 – To acknowledge the critical partnerships between providers and the industry, The College of Health Information Management Executives (CHIME) recently recognized several of the nation's top digital health leaders and professional solutions and services firms with its prestigious 2023 CHIME Awards.  

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare information technology, CHIME’s Foundation Firms play a pivotal role in our mission to advance health and care. The awards CHIME presents to our Foundation Firms highlight the value of the strategic partnerships that have arisen to confront the multifaceted challenges confronting today’s healthcare providers. These firms have demonstrated innovation, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to supporting healthcare during one of its most demanding chapters. 

The CHIME Collaboration Award  

The CHIME Collaboration award is jointly awarded to a CHIME Member and CHIME Foundation Firm to recognize a collaborative effort by a provider and digital health professional services organization. This year's award recipients included the CIO of Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, Nicholas Szymanski and Ajay Kapare, President and Chief Strategy Officer of ELLKAY. 

In February 2023, when Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital faced a ten-alarm fire, jeopardizing the safety of 176 patients and disrupting operations, they needed a partner they could trust. While patient care was the primary concern, Nicholas and his team were focused on the accessibility and security of patient data and how to ensure seamless sharing with the organizations where these patients were being transferred. This was the moment when the value of their ELLKAY partnership truly shined. In the midst of the chaos, ELLKAY's commitment to archiving and safeguarding patient data allowed Signature Healthcare to focus on its primary mission, ensuring patient safety and care continuity. Their swift and innovative response during a time of crisis exemplifies the critical role of such collaborations in ensuring patient safety and data security. This outstanding partnership serves as a beacon for the industry, emphasizing the significance of data accessibility and disaster preparedness. 

The Foundation Partner Award  

The Foundation Partner Award celebrates an organization's exceptional dedication, support, and outstanding contributions to the digital health industry, CHIME, CHIME Foundation, and related CHIME organizations.  The award was presented to Mike Primorac, Chief Executive at Mediant Health Resources and members of his senior team, in recognition of the organization’s dedication to furthering digital health leadership education. Over the years, Mediant Health Resources has consistently demonstrated a commitment to furthering the professional advancement of future healthcare leaders through sponsorships of the CHIME Healthcare CIO Boot Camp. The impact these improved leaders have on healthcare is immeasurable. The organization also actively promotes diversity in healthcare IT leadership through the League of Women Series, launched in 2021.  

CHIME Foundation Industry Leader Award  

The CHIME Foundation Industry Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and has made an outstanding contribution to the healthcare IT industry as well as the CHIME Foundation. CHIME’ Industry Leader Award was awarded to Howard Messing, Vice-Chairman & Board Member, MEDITECH. As the former CEO of MEDITECH, Howard is a renowned industry veteran with a career spanning nearly five decades.  His pioneering work at MEDITECH has catalyzed industry-wide shifts in cloud technology, mobile advancements, and healthcare interoperability. Howards’ impressive legacy has been defined by his work increasing access to quality electronic health records, thereby enhancing care, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. He humbly articulates his role as "helping hospitals and other health facilities provide better, safer, and more organized care at less cost." Today's digital health landscape has been undeniably improved due to Howard’s tireless efforts.  

An Inspiring Call to Action for Future Digital Health Trailblazers  

CHIME is thrilled to honor the outstanding achievements of these remarkable leaders. As we reflect on their groundbreaking strides, we celebrate the commitment to innovation and excellence that each has demonstrated, which has helped shape digital healthcare as we know it today. Reflecting on today’s award winners, CHIME President and Chief Executive Officer, Russ Branzell stated, "We take immense pride in celebrating the remarkable achievements of these digital health leaders, whose contributions have profoundly propelled the CHIME community and the industry forward, inspiring us all to relentlessly push towards a future of better care health and care for all.” 

To learn more about each of the awards presented please visit our website . For more information on the exceptional accomplishments of our award winners, please stay tuned for additional details. 

About CHIME   

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is an executive organization dedicated to serving chief information officers (CIOs), chief medical information officers (CMIOs), chief nursing information officers (CNIOs), chief innovation officers (CIOs), chief digital officers (CDOs) and other senior healthcare IT leaders. With more than 5,000 members in 56 countries plus two U.S. territories and over 150 healthcare IT business partners and professional services firms, CHIME and its three associations provide a highly interactive, trusted environment enabling senior professional and industry leaders to collaborate, exchange best practices, address professional development needs and advocate the effective use of information management to improve the health and care in the communities they serve. For more information, please visit  chimecentral.org .  

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Contact   

Calli Dretke  

Executive Vice President & Chief Digital and Marketing Officer  

CHIME                                                                                                             

1. 412.6255  

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