CHIME Launches First Certification Program for Healthcare CIOs

ANN ARBOR, MI – The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has launched the first certification program designed specifically for Healthcare CIOs.

The Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO) Program was developed by CHIME in partnership with Castle Worldwide, one of the nation’s leading certification testing companies. The credential will allow Certified Healthcare CIOs to quickly and easily identify themselves as leaders in the industry.

“Becoming a Certified Healthcare CIO is not going to be easy,” said Tim Stettheimer, Ph.D., Sr. VP & Regional CIO, St. Vincent's Health System. Dr. Stettheimer sits on CHIME’s Board of Trustees and is Chair of The Certification Committee. “But it’s important that we keep the bar high so this credential represents the best of the best. We’ve developed a tough but fair program, and I look forward to seeing CHIME members rise to the challenge.”

The CHCIO Program started development last year. CHIME member volunteers worked with certification professionals at Castle Worldwide to first list the major responsibilities for which healthcare CIOs are responsible. From that, the 13 Core Tasks were defined and questions were developed, reviewed and evaluated. The year of hard work resulted in the development of The CHCIO Examination and certification requirements. The first testing date will be October 27 in Indian Wells, Calif., held in conjunction with the CHIME09 Fall CIO Forum.

In addition to passing a written exam, CHCIOs must have at least three years experience as a healthcare CIO, participate in educational activities to earn Continuing Education Units, remain CHIME members and attest to uphold CHIME Professional Standards of Conduct.

For more information on the CHCIO Program and The CHCIO Examination, visit www.cio-chime.org/CHCIO.



About CHIME
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) was formed with the dual objectives of serving the professional development needs of healthcare CIOs and advocating the more effective use of information management within healthcare. CHIME's events and activities were designed to reflect that purpose, including CIO-oriented surveys, education programs, and networking activities. With membership of more than 1,300 CIOs, CHIME has established itself as the premier organization serving the needs of healthcare CIOs. CHIME's educational initiatives are supported by the CHIME Foundation, a group of 70 providers of healthcare IS products and services. To learn more about CHIME and the CHIME Foundation, see www.cio-chime.org.

Contact: Katie Weitkamp
Communications Coordinator, CHIME
(734) 665-000
kweitkamp@cio-chime.org
www.cio-chime.org

UPDATED: 7/16/2009 4:04:29 PM