Dr. Anne Zink: "IT plays a critical role in our ability to respond to this pandemic" | HIMSS Hawaii Alaska Conference

As part of the inaugural Health IT Proclamation Day & Heroes Recognition Conference for the HIMSS Hawaii-Alaska Chapter, I made sure to listen to its two keynote speakers, Dr. Anne Zink and Dr. Josh Green.

Dr. Anne Zink is the Chief Medical Officer for the state of Alaska. Dr. Josh Green is the the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii. Being lucky enough to live in both Alaska and Hawaii this year during the pandemic, this conference was of special relevance to me. In fact, as part of our goal to achieve 100% voter turnout at Paubox, I mailed my ballot from a post office in Soldotna, AK. I'll also be on a panel later today for this conference. See Related: Helping Get Out The Vote for Gambell, Alaska See Also: A Donation to KeikiDesk

Dr. Anne Zink: Pandemic Lessons Learned from a Leadership Perspective

Here are my takeaways from Dr. Zink's presentation:

• "Systems of care and the role of IT are the secret to making things work."
• "I had no idea that biggest limitation in the US is our health information exchange ability and IT Systems."
• "I think we're all counting faxes, even in these days."
• Alaska conducts the second most COVID tests in the nation.
• Re: COVID-19: "We continue to surge in the state of Alaska, unfortunately."
• Fast turn around time in testing is crucial to controlling the coronavirus.
• "IT plays a critical role in our ability to respond to this pandemic."
• "I often say that i want to stop a pandemic, not document a pandemic."
• Telehealth is extremely important in Alaska.
• "If there's more than 5 clicks, it's never going to work."
• Alaska Natives represent 16% of Alaska's population.

This is why Alaska is known as The Last Frontier

Alaska Natives represent 16% of Alaska's population

Telehealth is extremely important in Alaska. "I think we're all counting faxes, even in these days." Dr. Anne Zink

A recent favorite tweet of Dr. Zink