Weekly Member Update - October 12, 2012

Volunteer's Note

Leading Surgeon and Honorary ASSH Member Dieter Buck-Gramcko, MD Passes Away

ASSH Products: 2012 Comprehensive Review Course - USB Drive

ASSH Job Board Can Help You Find What You're Looking For

Thank You to AFSH Donors

CMS Issues Quality and ePrescribing Incentives, Reports for 2011

Volunteer's Note

The Hand Society's dependence upon and desire for new technologies has exploded over the last few years.  In response, Daniel J. Nagle, MD created the ITAG – Information Technology Advisory Group – during his presidency.  ITAG's primary responsibilities include:

1. Appreciating the resources required to maintain our existing infrastructure and to move forward with new and exciting technology-based projects.

2. Prioritizing the Society's external technologies (i.e., those technologies not part of the operational infrastructure).

3. Brainstorming new projects that will provide value to members or other key audiences, such as patients.

In practical terms, this means that whenever a committee or task force has an idea that involves information technology, ITAG needs to consider the request and prioritize the resources.  Examples include improving the website, creating an app, or partnering with another organization.

ITAG works with the project proponents and staff to understand goals and gather requirements – both in terms of money and staff time – and review the implementation timeline.

We then prioritize those projects, based on each project's perceived value to the Society and membership, through a closed and confidential survey process.  Those projects most highly rated by ITAG are ranked and recommended to Council.

Some of the items that have been highly rated by ITAG and accomplished this year include:

• ASSH Annual Meeting website delivered in a mobile-compatible format for the first time
• Providing an improved ASSH Annual Meeting app 
• Adding Candidate Members to Find A Hand Surgeon
• Creating streamlined processes on the ASSH website to help members find committees of interest

Here are some projects currently in development and/or under investigation:

• Mobilizing key parts of the ASSH website including membership directory, find a hand surgeon and the patient education pages
• Revising some of the search, navigation and functionality of the current website
• Developing an app for patient education materials

ITAG's members include seasoned Hand Society leaders, young leaders, and even a couple of residents, to add diverse perspectives.  Current ITAG members include:

Ed Akelman, MD
Kim Carney Young, MD
Ed Diao, MD
Michael Hausman, MD
Jason Jagodzinski, MD
Scott Kozin, MD
Fraser Leversedge, MD
Megan Meislin, MD
Ray Raven, MD
Alex Shin, MD
Eric Szczesniak, MD

We appreciate the opportunity to offer this vital service to the Society.

Scott Kozin, MD
Chair, Information Technology Advisory Group (ITAG) 
 

 

Leading Surgeon and Honorary ASSH Member Dieter Buck-Gramcko, MD Passes Away