HFS Director Julie Hamos Receives State Leadership Award in Washington, D.C.

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced that Director Julie Hamos was recognized last night in Washington D.C. for her efforts in Health Information Technology (HIT). Director Hamos is the recipient of the 2010 State Leadership Award from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

HIMSS is the nation's largest organization focusing on HIT. Each year the society recognizes policymakers and policy-related contributions by individuals that advance health information technology.

Director Hamos is receiving the award for her development and passage of comprehensive electronic health records legislation and for her role as a champion of healthcare in Illinois.

"Director Hamos is well known as a person who willingly rolls up her sleeves and works alongside the citizens of Illinois to improve healthcare," said Tom Keefe, HIMSS Senior Director for State Government Relations. "The State of Illinois and those of us working in health IT have all benefited from her efforts to advocate for an electronic health record for every citizen."

"I am honored to receive this Leadership Award for my years of service towards a mission that I am extremely passionate about, said HFS Director, Julie Hamos. "Health information technology is the future of healthcare, and I believe that Illinois will be a national leader as we move toward improving quality of care by the creation and sharing of electronic health records." 

Earlier this year, then Representative Hamos sponsored Governor Quinn's legislation to create the Illinois Health Information Exchange Authority. The Authority will be tasked with creating a Health Information Exchange (HIE) that will allow health providers across the state to securely share and access vital health information electronically. This system will reduce medical errors, improve patient care coordination and allow providers to easily share health information such as medical records and insurance claims.

For more information about HIE or the Office of Health Information Technology please visit http://www.hie.illinois.gov/