Meet your 2021 Election Candidates
The HIMSS New York State Chapter is pleased to announce our 2021 Election Candidates. We encourage you to review their bio's below and prepare to vote in this years upcoming election.

Get out and Vote!
Voting is the most powerful ay you can influence the future of HIMSS New York State. We strongly encourage all members to vote.

How do I vote?
The HIMSS New York Chapter will use Electionbuddy (an online election platform) to securely mange our 2021 Board of Directors election. You will receive email notifications for each step of the election process. Please make sure that you have added [email protected] as a safe sender in your address book.

Election Timeline
March 18 – April 16, 2021 | Candidates apply for their position of choice
April 19 – June 4, 2021 | Candidates campaign
June 7 – June 18, 2021 | Elections (No campaigning is allowed during this timeframe)
June 21 – June 25, 2021 | Tabulating and confirming results
June 28, 2021 | Announcing election outcome

Thank you to all those who submitted an application for candidacy.

Let's meet the Candidates!
Running Unopposed – Elected Automatically, Commences July 1st, 2021

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position President-Elect
Helen Figge, BS, R. Ph., PharmD., MBA, CPHIMS, FHIMSS

Outcome: Running Unopposed – Elected, Commences July 1st, 2021

NYS HIMSS Board Member @ Large Chair, NYS HIMSS Chapter, Compliance Health 2.0, Boston, Chair Innovation

 Application: President Elect

 Dedication to the NYS HIMSS Chapter: Active Chapter Volunteer since 2007; current Board Member at Large and Chair, Compliance Committee. Five year (5) tenure as NYS Chapter HIMSS National Liaison representing NYS nationally; past NYS HIMSS Chapter Secretary, first woman to hold a NYS HIMSS Chapter board seat; past Health 2.0 Chair, Boston; assisted in Chapter growth and expanding Chapter financial stability while championing for the State’s healthcare delivery networks; volunteered for advanced roles and responsibilities for Chapter serving scholarship, membership, privacy & security, compliance, events, leadership advisory, mentoring committees; in support of NYS Chapter initiatives and infusing other HIMSS State Chapter ideas to NYS; helping to assimilate Health 2.0 expansion into HIMSS; created and oversaw HIMSS Career Services, North Americas ; assisted NYS HIMSS members with education and career placement.

 Opportunities for the Chapter: Aggressively pursue for our membership support for advanced employment, practical networking, career and educational mentoring with anticipation of diversity skill requirements to ensure equitable resource distribution for New York State members; infusion of balanced ideas through practical communications and actions; expand healthcare messaging with investments into NYS healthcare networks for growth and footprint expansion; support necessary opportunities for networking and career growth for Chapter members; encourage students and those interested in HIT career path changes to engage; create organizational synergies with other NYS entities for Chapter sustainability. Encourage Statewide networking within higher educational systems and vocational programs to support NYS HIT employment vacancies; support CAHIMS, CPHIMS and HIMSS Fellowship educational advancement programs; create synergies with other subsidiary organizations (Health 2.0) now a designated entity within HIMSS

 Career Accomplishments: Professional experiences: Supporting start-up companies in NYS interested in positioning healthcare technology solutions for delivery network business growth in NYS; NYS healthcare network care delivery best practice implementations; STEM program support; Fortune company expertise; national committee/Board volunteer for HIMSS, CHIME, SUNY school networks including cyber security; Senior Advisor, Albany College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences President’s Council; the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved, Washington, D.C.; Board member: I AM B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. (an award-winning organization dedicated to building self-esteem and leadership in girls of all ages supporting diversity https://www.iambeautiful.org ) and the National Association of Health Data Organizations. Mentoring Chapter members and recruiting new members seeking HIT careers from various career angles; technology curriculum support with higher education and medical entities in New York.

 Recognitions: HIMSS New York State Chapter: Women Health IT Mentor Award; HIMSS New York State Chapter Service Award; additional awards: Becker’s “Women to Watch in HIT 2020” and “70 Women Leaders in HIT to Know, 2020”; Health 2.0 “Ten Year Industry Leader”; Health Data Management (2016, 2017, 2018,2019) “Most Powerful Women in Healthcare IT”; Becker’s “Women to Know in Healthcare IT” (2018, 2019); AmerisourceBergen’s President's Club for Outstanding Performance.
 Helen is Chief Strategy Officer, MedicaSoft, holds several academic appointments, volunteers extensively for several philanthropic entities in New York State and supports youth seeking technology careers in support of educational equity.
   
Running Unopposed – Elected Automatically, Commences July 1st, 2021

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Treasurer
Jay M. Tolchinsky  

Outcome: Running Unopposed – Elected, Commences July 1st, 2021
 
 This is an exciting and challenge time for healthcare IT and our industry. This past year has accelerated the use of technology in support of virtual patient care. We saw healthcare organizations stand up telehealth platforms over night to address the needs its patient population. Its unfortunate that the digital age in healthcare has finally arrived due to a pandemic, but let’s leverage this experience and move to improve the quality of care and the overall experience of the patient. 

It is the patient experience that drove me to healthcare back in 1994 when I started at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston and the patient experience has always driven my career. Whether it be as a Service Executive at IDX Systems, Team Lead for the implementation of a practice management system at MGH or in my current role as an Account Director at KPMG, the enablement of technology in support of patient care / experience has been at the forefront. 

As a past president and board member at large of HIMMS New England Chapter, I know full well the importance HIMSS chapters have in not only educating its members but connecting us. The value of a networking community is important to have in our careers, for both good times and in times of need. Connecting and learning from my chapter colleagues has been invaluable to me.   
Having the opportunity to once again be associated with a HIMSS Chapter would be an honor I would welcome.  

I am honored to submit my name for the position of Treasurer for HIMSS New York State Chapter and look forward to serving the Chapter. 
Running Unopposed – Elected Automatically, Commences July 1st, 2021

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Secretary
Armand Morrison

Outcome: Running Unopposed – Elected, Commences July 1st, 2021
 
Armand Morrison has been involved in healthcare IT for over 20 years working with c-suite executives across the continuum of care to help leverage new technologies toward improving patient care and reducing cost.  For the past two years, Armand has been serving as Secretary of the Board for the NYS chapter of HIMSS, and is also the chair of the Membership and IT Leadership committees and is active on the Events and Programming committee. In these roles, he has coordinated multiple educational and networking events that bring together like minded individuals across the healthcare IT continuum with a focus on leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes, and reduce the cost of delivering care. Armand is looking to renew his position as Secretary of the Board and appreciates your support. 
 
Armand is currently with CTG, a global provider of information, technology, and business solutions that support digital transformation and address critical challenges for clients in the healthcare industry. 
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Alexis Balingcongan, MSN, RN, CAPA 
 
Alexis Balingcongan is the Clinical Solutions Director at Connexall where she leads a team to identify, qualify and develop a strategical plan to resolve hospital integration and workflow needs. In addition, the team focuses on enterprise architectures and application platforms required for successful implementations of best practices. Alexis is an experienced Registered Nurse with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry for over a decade. A Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse skilled in Inpatient Acute Critical Care and Surgical Ambulatory Services. Alexis obtained a master’s degree in Nursing Informatics from New York University and sat as an Executive Board member to the Advanced Nursing Student Organization and Nursing Informatics Student Organization. She has also utilized her skills, experience, and expertise to build and grow Regional Anesthesia Block Programs during her time at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  

Alexis absolutely loves nursing, her patients, technology, and the value of innovation to improve all aspects of care to them.  Alexis is running for a Board Member at Large position because she values and understands the importance of mentorship, advocacy, and education. Alexis currently is a member of the NYS HIMSS Nursing Committee, NYS HIMSS Advocacy Committee, NYS HIMSS Diversity Committee of which she has served as a moderator and director for a Nursing Diversity Conference and Co-Chairs the Philippine Nurses Association of America Nursing Informatics Committee. 
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS New York State Chapter Elections 2021
Position: Board Members-at-Large
Name: Paul Brian Contino

Brief Profile: Thank you for the opportunity to share a little about my background.
 
My name is Paul Brian Contino and over my 25+ year career in healthcare IT, I’ve had the privilege to serve in senior executive roles at many leading healthcare institutions. Currently I’m the Vice President of Information Technology at The Guthrie Clinic (Guthrie Health System). I have previously served as the Corporate Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at New York City Health & Hospitals, Interim CIO at Bellevue Hospital and VP of IT at the Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Prior to this, I work as a biomedical research scientist for 10 years before transitioning full time into technology.
 
I have been an active member of both HIMSS and the NYS Chapter for over 15 years. For the last 4 years, I have served on the HIMSS Education Committee (for Leadership, Governance, Strategy) as a reviewer and was asked to be a HIMSS21 Mentor this year. I have been a speaker at both the annual conference and chapter events.
 
I bring to the table proven board experience, having served on the board and executive committee of NYCLIX (now Healthix) , the board of directors for Get Real Health and served as Chair of the Healthcare Council for SCA. In addition, I’ve donated my time to numerous healthcare startups as an advisor on product development and strategy.
 
It would be my honor to serve as a member of the HIMSS NYS board. I’m certain that my experience and leadership can help to drive the mission and advocacy of the chapter. I look forward to working with my peers in the industry to advance the chapter’s educational programs and engage our membership. Here’s to a fruitful 2021.
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Joseph Desiderio
 
I am a technology professional with more than 30 years' experience in various aspects of technology management, with an emphasis on innovation and strategic alliances.
 
After 15 years in corporate technology positions, I co-founded Voicebrook (2002) where I designed, built and implemented speech recognition solutions, with specialization in surgical pathology workflow. Like many founders, I wore many hats (sales/marketing, strategy, product management, implementation - and strategic alliance management).
 
For the past two years, I have been consulting in innovation and partnering best practices and methodology.
 
I am active in HIMSS, and volunteer on the New York State Chapter Programming Committee. I also belong to other professional organizations that align with my interests, including Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP), Association of Medical Facilities Professionals, Data Visualization Society, VR/AR Association.
 
I am constantly looking to add value via my direct contribution, and by connecting individuals, organizations and companies with mutual missions, applying my training in alliance management to opportunities of all sizes and complexity.

Having many friends and family in healthcare, I support organizations that address reducing physician burnout and increasing healthcare equity.

I am committed to helping HIMSS New York State Chapter deliver maximum value to its members and partners, and greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve the Chapter.

Regards,
 
Joe
 
Joe Desiderio
Chief Connector
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Michael Haas
 
Supervisor, Healthcare Consulting RSM US LLP
New York, New York

Summary of Experience
A versatile and accomplished healthcare technology leader, Michael Haas has a strong record of implementation and delivery in healthcare technology solutions and services. His decade-long professional work history has included managerial positions within hospital revenue cycle at NYU Langone Medical Center and has evolved into Electronic Health Records (EHR) technology solution implementations at RSM US LLP. Recognized as a confident team collaborator and relationship builder, Michael creates cohesion and momentum as a Consultant and Project Manager leading engagements and effectively communicating with clients and senior leadership. Subject-matter expertise in revenue cycle operations, data integration, EHR, and project management has been combined with excellent oral, written, and organizational skills to provide excellence in leadership and project delivery. Michael earned an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a BS in Health Service Administration from James Madison University, and is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with AAPC. He is currently working toward a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification at the Project Management Institute (PMI).
 
RSM US LLP, Michael's current employer, is the leading provider of consulting, tax, and audit services to the middle market. Michael is a project manager focused on improving operational and financial performance for his clients in the healthcare consulting practice. Delivering innovative solutions in areas of technology, process improvement, revenue cycle, client software application trainings, and project management, he works with large integrated delivery health systems, behavioral health and community organizations, community hospitals, FQHC’s, clinics, and physician practices.
 
I am very interested in serving as a board member on the HIMSS NYS Chapter. Over the past two years I have been a part of the Technology Task Force and a member of the HIMSS NY State Events committee. I continue to co-lead managing the chapter’s website and content, sending out mass-communications, and maintaining a strong cohesive communication connection between the chapter leadership and its members. Going forward, I want to continue making a meaningful contribution by leveraging my skills and knowledge to continue to grow our chapter. For that reason, I believe I would be a trusted and successful member of the Board of the HIMSS NYS Chapter.
 
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Olga Kagan, PhD, RN  
 
Olga Kagan is a registered nurse and a founder of a healthcare consulting firm serving individuals, groups and communities within public and private sectors. She is also a founder of the Food Allergy Nursing Interest Professional Group (FANI) on LinkedIn. As an adjunct faculty, she teaches graduate students at CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS) and Molloy College. She holds a Baccalaureate degree in nursing from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, a Master’s Degree in Nursing Informatics and Administration, and a PhD with focus on policy from Molloy College.  
Dr. Kagan has been a member of HIMSS-NY for 8 years and is an active member of HIMSS nursing committee. She serves as an elected adjunct faculty representative on the CUNY SPS Governing Council; American Nurses Association (ANA) - NY nominations and elections committee, and as an advisory board for Molloy College Center for Research and Evaluation. Her other memberships are at the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) nursing committee & informatics workgroup, the Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs and Leaders (SONSIEL), and the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) technology & innovation committee among others.  
Dr. Kagan holds leadership roles as a Chair of the Shared Decision-Making Committee, and is a past chair of a Health Education Committee and Disability Awareness Program in a school district. In her current role as an adjunct faculty representative from the Division of the Sciences to the CUNY SPS Governing Council​​, she has been involved in recommending policies related to the operation and welfare of the school & its community.  She also co-leads the small group with purpose and is an active member of a healing professionals’ group in Long Island, NY. 
Dr. Kagan is a recipient of several awards for her contributions to research and leadership. She has been publishing and co-authoring research articles, and contributing to textbooks in areas of nursing informatics and innovation, health policy, and anaphylaxis education. She was recognized for her work with elected officials on legislative initiatives on Capitol Hill and in Nassau County in improving the health and welfare of vulnerable individuals.  
Since the start of the pandemic, she worked remotely with numerous teams and professionals on finding solutions to Covid-19 challenges in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kagan assisted NYS in onboarding of contact tracers and supervisors. She continually volunteers her time and expertise as a research reviewer, a mentor, and a judge for science and innovation driven events and competitions locally, nationally and internationally.  
If elected as a HIMSS Board Member at-Large, Dr. Kagan will continue to build on her existing skills and expertise, in developing and leading programs and initiatives to facilitate sharing of knowledge and experience, as well as supporting high quality educational programs designed to promote an understanding of healthcare information and management systems. She enjoys working with the nursing committee and would be honored to chair or co-chair it if elected. She believes in collaborative team work, consensus building and leading by example.  
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Brett L. Kinsler, DC
 
I am a senior leader in healthcare technology with 30 years of experience in multiple verticals. I have been a provider, worked in life sciences and pharmaceuticals, and supported payers, collaboratives, and vendors. My clinical background encompasses organ and tissue recovery for transplant, director of EMS operations, and clinical trials for medical device and pharmaceuticals. As an evidence based chiropractor, my practice was an early adopter of EHRs and an activist for HIE and image exchange adoption.
 
For the past 6 years, I have been a partner at Strategic Interests, a healthcare technology consulting firm, where I oversee clinical services and informatics. I have had the honor to lead or contribute to large, complex projects including data normalization strategies, data migration, transitions of care, DSRIP technical strategy, provider and patient engagement, remote patient monitoring (including COVID), I-STOP PDMP integration, microbiome analytics, and many other innovations. I have successfully written grants to help healthcare providers, health systems, community-based and other organizations secure millions of dollars to help fund their initiatives.
 
Currently, I am healthcare board director for TechRochester, the technology council for the region, where I have planned and executed many successful healthcare technology events, and serve on the musculoskeletal variation steering committee for Excellus BCBS. I also serve on the healthcare circle for the Jump Starting Rochester initiative. My bachelor’s degree is from University of Rochester, doctorate (DC) from University of Bridgeport, and masters level certificate in healthcare data analytics from Johns Hopkins. I was among the earliest Epic certified clinical informaticists and served for 4 years embedded as a contract clinical interoperability informaticist at a large health system.
 
I have attended many HIMSS events as well as many of the annual global conferences and, as a result, have a strong interest in deepening my connection to the New York State HIMSS chapter by serving as a board member-at-large. I have helped advance healthcare in my own region through committee participation, event planning, and innovative projects, and would love to share my skills and knowledge to help address some of the major issues facing healthcare in our state and beyond. HIMSS NYS chapter will be an excellent way for me to engage like-minded professionals, both regionally and nationally, collaborating, learning from each other, and creating actionable activities to improve the healthcare landscape for everyone.
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Inderpal Kohli, MS, PMP 

I serve as Assistant Vice President – IT Applications and Training at Hospital for Special Surgery, NY. I am responsible for defining strategy, planning, organizing, and executing all IT functions for critical hospital departments/functional areas, including Inpatient, Peri-operative, Radiology, Lab Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and other ancillary departments. 
I have 19 plus years of experience across premier institutions in Healthcare technology. I am a performance-driven Healthcare IT Leader with a unique blend of technology, management, and healthcare informatics with experiences at the center of excellence and fortune 100 companies. As a leader, I am responsible for mentoring, motivating, and developing a high-performance team to deliver projects and support applications aligned with strategic initiatives. 
 
My 25 years of professional experience started across diverse industries, but the last two decades are focused on healthcare informatics. My expansive scope of responsibility allows holding a unique perspective of technology and its interoperability within the clinical workspace. 
I can offer my insights and expertise in bringing together various constituents, initiate dialogues between vendors, users, and thinkers within the healthcare echo systems. My focus has always been the efficient and seamless use of technology in the clinical space and clinicians. 
My diverse background experience across multiple countries and cultures has enriched my thinking, and I think, helps me make pragmatic decisions leading to successful technology implementations. I have merged using information systems, clinical care, and management system to deliver better care for the patient. 
 
I also teach as an industry expert and adjunct instructor at Cornell universities Center for Healthcare Informatics and Policy (Chip) in the Healthcare Informatics Masters program. 
 
I am passionate about collaborative delivery both at work and outside the job. My current role requires me to work across several dozen clinical departments, software and services vendors, and the technology team, which positions me well to take on the board member's responsibility to seek solutions, collaborations, and ideas to offer value to the members. 
If given the opportunity, I will bring the same passion and drive as a board member to fulfill the mission and purpose of the HIMSS to improve the quality, safety, cost-effectiveness, and access to health care by bringing vendors, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners together. 
 
 
INDERPAL KOHLI 
AVP, Clinical Applications & Training 
Information Technology 
 
HSS | Hospital for Special Surgery 
535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021 
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Name: Sebastien Roy 
Title: Vice President & General Manager, Gevity Consulting US Ltd. 
 
Description: 
Sebastien Roy is a business executive, professional services leader and digital health expert, with 16 years of experience and community involvement in the healthcare technology industry. He founded a healthcare startup and a technology management consulting firm, which he sold to Gevity Consulting where he now works as General Manager of the US operating company. He also advises Gevity’s clients on digital health apps and digital front door strategies. 
 
Sebastien has been a HIMSS member since 2014, a NY HIMSS chapter volunteer on the events committee since 2018 and the Treasurer for our Chapter since 2019. During his tenure as Treasurer, the chapter’s financial position has improved, new systems and financial controls have been implemented, the sponsorship program was revised to account for new realities under COVID, and a new Finance Committee was established. As the Chapter pivoted to entirely virtual activities in 2020, its healthy financial position provided the Chapter with sufficient leeway to re-allocate resources appropriately to continue providing educational services to its members. Sebastien has been closely involved in the planning, promotion and production of our successful educational webinar series and intends to continue his involvement should he be re-elected to the Board. He is keen to continue his contribution on the Chapter’s Board of Directors as a frank and independent voice advocating for innovative services to HIMSS members. 
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Marc Russo 
 
 Marc Russo is a healthcare strategy and operations leader with over 8 years of experience. Marc is an active member of HIMSS New York State and currently serves as the Membership Committee Co-Chair. As Membership Committee Co-Chair, Marc oversees the Chapter’s technology tools and digital transformation initiatives (including the delivery of 100% remote events and growing the chapters digital brand). Marc works with Members, Committees and Board Members across the Chapter to design, develop and implement programs and initiatives to improve the overall quality of membership. 

Marc is a Manger at Mazars USA LLP in the Healthcare Consulting Division and has previously worked at Press Ganey, Deloitte and Hello Health (a health IT startup). Marc has extensive experience in governance, oversight, risk and financial advisory, and has advised numerous senior leaders and boards. As a Board Member for HIMSS New York State, Marc will serve as a fiduciary to the organization. He will steer the organization to adopt sound and ethical governance and financial management practices for long term success and sustainability. He will always act for the good of the organization and serve as an ambassador to improve the overall quality of membership. Marc is excited to improve membership experience and contribute to the chapter’s long term sustainability.  
Running for Member-at-Large Seat

HIMSS NYS Chapter Election 2021
Position Board Member-at-Large
Tyler Smith
 
Background: 
Tyler Smith is a cofounder and partner at Health Data Movers, Inc. (HDM) a growing healthcare IT services and software firm (#475 on the Inc. 500 list in 2020). He leads the firm’s revenue and operations teams. Previous to HDM, Tyler cofounded a staffing services platform for healthcare IT talent and was a consultant at Cumberland Consulting Group. Tyler began his career working on Capitol Hill during the passage of the ACA and holds an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. 
Best of luck to all candidates!