AAHS’ Douglas A. Abel Among Nation’s 1st “Certified Health Chief Information Officers”

Certification represents “best of the best” in health care information management

Annapolis, Md.  (December 29, 2009) – Anne Arundel Health System’s Chief Information Officer Douglas A. Abel has been named one of the nation’s first “Certified Healthcare Chief Information Officers” (CHCIO) by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) after completing a rigorous program designed further advance leaders across the health care industry.
 
Abel, who joined AAMC in 2005, currently is overseeing the implementation the health system’s new integrated electronic medical records, which is scheduled to go live by the end of this year.  The ambitious project will position the health system as a leader in clinical integration and automation, and in increased patient safety.

“The certification affirms what I’ve learned through the CHIME program and the experiences I’ve had throughout my career that are a foundation for my decisions each day in working for the health system,” said Abel, who has more than 23 years’ experience in the field of information systems.  “The certification is a measure of my current achievements, but also is a guide for future growth in my field.  For the health system, the certification is a confirmation that I can successfully align my skills and knowledge the organization’s goals and strategic objectives.”

The CHIME-developed program establishes a credential that identifies leaders in the health care information management industry.  According to CHIME, the certification is a difficult credential to obtain, and “represents the best of the best,” demonstrating the commitment, knowledge, and experience inherent to successful CIO’s and information technology executives.

In addition to passing a lengthy written exam, CHCIOs must have at least three years’ experience as a chief information officer within a health care organization, participate in continual education activities to earn Continuing Education Units, remain CHIME members and attest to uphold CHIME Professional Standards of Conduct.

For more information on the CHIME and their CHCIO program, visit www.cio-chime.org.  For more information on AAMC’s electronic medical records project, and how the hospital will advance clinical integration, visit www.aahs.org/alec