HIMSS Small Chapter of the Year Award-2012

The HIMSS Small Chapter of the year was awarded to The Iowa HIMSS Chapter who is looking forward to the 2013-2014 year; our plan is to increase our member participation. We feel 100+ members at each of our conferences is reasonable and will help to increase the sponsorships.

This year we are focusing on marketing and communications to increase awareness, interest and participation.
For the past several years we have supported an Advocacy event by; having a meeting dedicated to Advocacy. From having a meeting at the state house and last year participating in an Advocacy Webinar our efforts has earned the Iowa Chapter the HIMSS Ambassador Level Chapter honor.

HIMSS Small Chapter of the Year awarded to Iowa Chapter 2012

Representative Linda Upmeyer Wins HIMSS National Legislative Advocate Award

Representative Linda Upmeyer, Iowa State Legislature, House District 12 was recognized during National Health IT Week 2012 for her support of Health IT legislation. 

She introduced HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 135 honoring Dr. James F. Holsinger who received the 2011 Nicholas E. Davies Ambulatory Award of Excellence from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

Representative Upmeyer has also participated in HIMSS Iowa advocacy days taking time out of her busy schedule to meet with HIMSS members and has stopped by their receptions after the visits to state legislators.  Representative Upmeyer has also met with HIMSS members in her district as well as her office in the capitol.  She was an attendee at the 2006 HIMSS health conference in Washington, D.C.  She also participated in the State Officials Legislative Forum at the HIMSS 2009 US Annual Conference and Exhibition. 

Linda is a cardiology nurse practitioner. Linda was born in Mason City, Iowa. She grew up in Garner on the family farm. She graduated from Garner High School and following high school, she attended NIACC and the University of Iowa, where she received her BS in Nursing. She received her Master's in Nursing from Drake University.

Linda is a member of Farm Bureau, Prof. Cardiovascular Nurses Assn., and Iowa/American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Signa Theta Tau Int'l Nursing Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa Nat'l Leadership Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa.

As of September 2011, Representative Upmeyer serves on the Administration and Rules committee in the Iowa House. She is also a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures as well as the American Legislative Exchange Council, both national associations of legislators.

HIMSS Chapter Level of Advocacy Award

At the end of each fiscal year, Chapter Advocates have the opportunity to apply on behalf of their chapter for a Level of Advocacy Award. A HIMSS Chapter Level of Advocacy Award is presented to the Chapter as a direct result of their Chapter Advocate's leadership and commitment to health IT advocacy. An eligible HIMSS Chapter may be awarded either a Presidential, Ambassador or Advocate Level of Advocacy award. Chapters receive a corresponding emblem to place on their website and use in Chapter publications.