September 23 - 27, 2019: Health IT Week

WHEREAS, Michigan’s statewide health information network connects more than 250 hospitals, 5,700 practices, 1,820 pharmacies, 400 skilled nursing facilities, 220 managing organizations, and 138,000 providers, uniting Michigan’s health care community in supporting the statewide exchange of health information and making valuable data available at the point of care; and,

WHEREAS, we believe the appropriate use of health information and technology management systems can transform health care to save lives, improve outcomes of care, and reduce costs; and,

WHEREAS, we recognize the importance of the exchange of health information and its positive and growing influence for securing the health care goals of patients and health care providers; and,

WHEREAS, we share in the achievement of Michigan’s multiple health care stakeholders who have worked together to make our state a national leader in the electronic exchange of health information; and,

WHEREAS, we thank the Michigan health care leaders, health information technology experts, providers, and the Michigan Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), who all help shape the critical statewide infrastructure in helping to improve patient care; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Chapter covers the entire state and has more than 1,800 members from all sectors of health care; and,

WHEREAS, health information technology empowers Michigan residents to use available technology to take ownership of their own health care, which includes viewing their doctors, tests and test results, and immunization records, and providing consent for sharing information;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 23-27, 2019, as Health IT Week in Michigan.