MD HIMSS October 2025 Newsletter

FROM THE BOARD

Phil Campbell, Treasurer

Happy October! This is one of my favorite times of year: the leaves are changing, the temperature cools down, and MD HIMSS kicks into action!

On a recent conference trip, I was introduced to Dr. Jennie Byrne, MD, author of the book Moral Injury: Healing the Healers. Her presentation was not only eye-opening but also deeply resonated with me personally. You’ve likely seen several books and articles about moral injury, but her perspective is not only more thorough but also creates an actionable path to preventing and healing moral injury.

Shining A Light On Phil Campbell

Maryland HIMSS is proud to shine a spotlight on Phil Campbell, a distinguished leader whose career reflects a lifetime of service, innovation, and dedication to improving healthcare through technology.

Phil graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994, launching a 22-year Navy career that took him from firefighter and navigator on surface ships to an intelligence officer serving nearly a decade overseas. His military service instilled discipline, adaptability, and a mission-focused mindset that has continued to define his professional journey.

After transitioning from the Navy in 2016, Phil became Chief Information Officer at CalvertHealth Medical Center, where he led a major telecommunications transformation, the addition of a new patient tower, and the renovation of existing facilities. In 2021, he broadened his expertise in the telecommunications sector as lead healthcare marketing adviser for Windstream Enterprise.

Phil returned to healthcare in 2022 as Chief Technology Officer at Luminis Health, where he spearheaded digital telecommunications upgrades, introduced remote nursing solutions, and advanced the use of AT&T FirstNet devices to support clinicians on the frontlines.

Most recently, in July 2025, Phil joined Children’s National Hospital as Director of Customer Service and Workplace Technology. In this newly created role, he is shaping the organization’s IT service delivery model, driving innovation, and ensuring technology enhances both workforce efficiency and patient experience.

From his time in uniform to his leadership in healthcare IT, Phil embodies the HIMSS mission of leveraging technology to transform health. We are honored to have him as part of the MD HIMSS community and look forward to the innovations he will continue to bring to the field.

If You Missed Our Kickoff, You Missed Big!

Did you make it to our Fall Networking Kickoff at Union Jack’s in Columbia? If you did, you know firsthand what a fantastic evening it was—great food, lively conversation, and the chance to connect with new friends and colleagues from across the healthcare IT community.

If you weren’t able to join us this time, you truly missed out on an event that set the tone for an exciting FY26 season of MD HIMSS programming.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage, learn, and grow with our chapter—and don’t miss the next chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of healthcare IT in Maryland!

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Safeguarding Healthcare IT and Patient Trust

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a national campaign led by CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance to strengthen our collective defenses against evolving cyber threats. For healthcare IT, this month is more than an awareness effort—it’s a reminder that patient safety and trust are inseparable from cybersecurity.

The Stakes for Healthcare

Healthcare is consistently the #1 most targeted industry for cyberattacks:

In 2024, more than 700 breaches exposed 275 million patient records, a 63% jump from the prior year—the largest in U.S. healthcare history.
The average cost of a healthcare breach now exceeds $9.77 million, nearly double the global average across industries.
Nearly 80% of healthcare data breaches stem from hacking, often through compromised credentials or phishing emails.
Attacks increasingly disrupt clinical operations, forcing hospitals to delay surgeries, divert patients, and disable EHR systems.

Bottom line: In healthcare, cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about protecting lives.

What Healthcare Professionals Can Do

Here’s how each of us—whether in IT, clinical care, administration, or leadership—can make a difference:

Enable MFA (multifactor authentication) everywhere.

Protects EHR, LTSS, telehealth platforms, and clinical device logins even if a password is stolen.

Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager.

Prevents credential reuse across hospital systems, vendor portals, and personal accounts.

Be vigilant against phishing and social engineering.

Always verify emails before clicking links or downloading files—especially those claiming to be from IT support, HR, or leadership.

Update systems promptly.

Patching medical devices, workstations, and mobile apps reduces risk from known vulnerabilities.

Secure remote and mobile work.

Use VPNs when working outside the hospital network, and avoid accessing patient data on unsecured Wi-Fi.

Report suspicious activity immediately.

Quick escalation helps IT teams contain threats before they spread across clinical systems.

Why It Matters for MD HIMSS Members

As healthcare IT leaders, we are the bridge between technology and patient care. By embedding cybersecurity into every aspect of clinical workflows, we not only protect sensitive health information, but also ensure continuity of care when patients need it most.

This October, let’s recommit to:

Embedding security into digital transformation projects.
Empowering clinicians with secure, easy-to-use tools.
Leading by example in vigilance and accountability.

Cybersecurity is patient safety. Together, we can make it stronger.

Virtual Event

Leading Successful AI Implementation:

An Informatics Approach to Adoption and Education

Date: October 24

Time: Noon (45 mins presentation with 15 min Q&A)

Speaker:
Tiffany Kuebler PA-C
Co-Medical Director Clinical Informatics
University of Maryland Medical Center

Objectives:

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Explore the role of informaticists in integrating AI as a shared responsibility among clinical leaders.
Metrics for Success: Discuss how to measure AI adoption through real-world use, rather than just deployment.
Innovative Training Approaches: Share effective models for educating clinicians about AI, including considerations of bias and operational safeguards.

Lace Up With Us: Join Sole Mates for

Health & Home at the Rock Your Socks 5K!

Mark your calendars! Our team, Sole Mates for Health & Home, representing MD HIMSS and friends, will be hitting the pavement on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Patterson Park (Pulaski Monument) in Baltimore, MD. Join us as we stride for a cause—rocking our socks to support Health Care for the Homeless in their mission for health and home.

How You Can Help

Run or Walk With Us: Whether you’re a sprinter or a stroller, every step you take alongside the Sole Mates makes a difference.
Can’t Attend? Donate! Your generosity helps provide necessary health services and housing support for people experiencing homelessness.

👉 Sign up or donate directly to our team here: Sole Mates for Health & Home

Why Participate?

Strengthen community ties with fellow MD HIMSS colleagues and friends.
Support a meaningful cause—helping create healthier, more stable lives.
Get into the spirit of the event with colorful socks, high-tops, and 80s vibes!

Together, as Sole Mates, we can turn every stride into hope and healing.

Winter In-Person Education Event:

The One You Can't Afford to Miss

If this isn’t already on your calendar, you’re risking being left behind. Our Winter In-Person Education Event is quickly becoming the gathering of FY26 for Maryland’s healthcare IT professionals—and you’ll want to be in the room.

This isn’t just another meeting. It’s your chance to:

Be first in the know: Hear directly from experts about the AHEAD implementation—a transformation that will impact every healthcare organization in the region.
Go beyond theory: Engage in hands-on discussions and walk away with strategies you can immediately apply to your team and workflows.
Build your network: Connect with peers who are facing the same challenges and share real-world solutions that work.
Gain an edge: Leave equipped with insights that will prepare you—and your organization—for what’s next in healthcare IT.

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025

Time: 8a - 1p

Location: Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center

1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104

The agenda, speaker lineup, and registration details will drop soon—but seats will go fast. Don’t wait. Mark your calendar now, because missing this means missing your chance to stay ahead of the curve.

This isn’t just an event—it’s your opportunity to sharpen your strategy, elevate your impact, and be part of the healthcare IT conversation that everyone will be talking about.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL'S CORNER

Breaking into Health IT:

A Clinician’s Journey from Medicine to Technology

Transitioning from practicing medicine in India to building a career in Health IT in the U.S. has been both challenging and rewarding. As clinicians, we’re trained to diagnose, problem-solve, and communicate with patients and teams under pressure—skills that translate seamlessly into healthcare technology roles.

In my journey, I discovered that:

Clinical knowledge is an asset—understanding workflows, patient safety, and care delivery provides a unique lens for designing, implementing, and optimizing technology.
Communication and collaboration remain central—just as clinicians coordinate with nurses, labs, and specialists, Health IT professionals collaborate with stakeholders, vendors, and end-users.
Adaptability and continuous learning are essential—just as medicine evolves, so does technology. Embracing new systems, standards, and regulations is key to thriving.

Resources for Clinicians Exploring Health IT

If you’re considering a similar path, here are some starting points:

HIMSS Clinician-to-IT Pathways – HIMSS Career Resources
American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) – Clinical Informatics Resources
Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) – Training & Workforce Development
Health Informatics Graduate Programs – Offered at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and other U.S. institutions for clinicians seeking formal training.
Professional Certifications – Consider credentials like CPHIMS or CAHIMS to validate your knowledge.
Mentorship & Networking – Local HIMSS chapters (like MD HIMSS!) provide invaluable opportunities to meet peers who have successfully transitioned.

From the Bedside to the Server Room

Healthcare IT needs clinicians at the table—professionals who understand patient care, clinical workflows, and the realities of frontline medicine. If you’re a clinician considering this path, know that your skills are not only transferable—they are urgently needed.

✨ Your clinical expertise can shape the future of healthcare technology.

Volunteer with Maryland HIMSS – Make an Impact, Build Connections

Are you passionate about healthcare technology and looking for ways to give back, grow, and lead? Volunteering with Maryland HIMSS is one of the most rewarding ways to get involved in our community and help shape the future of health IT in our region.

Why Volunteer?

✨ Expand Your Network – Build meaningful connections with healthcare providers, technology leaders, policymakers, and peers across Maryland.

✨ Develop Your Skills – Gain leadership experience, strengthen your communication and collaboration skills, and contribute to impactful projects.

✨ Drive Real Change – Be part of initiatives that influence policy, advance digital health, and support innovation in healthcare delivery.

✨ Boost Your Professional Profile – Enhance your resume and visibility by taking an active role in a recognized healthcare IT organization.

✨ Give Back to the Community – Help Maryland HIMSS carry out its mission of advocacy, education, and transformation in healthcare IT.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Volunteers are needed for:

Event planning and logistics
Membership and outreach
Advocacy initiatives
Newsletter and communications
Education and programming committees

📩 Ready to join us? Send your interest and area(s) you’d like to support to: md.events@himsschapter.org

Together, we can make Maryland HIMSS stronger, more innovative, and more impactful.

MD HIMSS | www.maryland.himss.org