Meet the Changemakers: Emely Lemus

HIMSS serves the global health information and technology communities with focused operations across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Our members include more than 80,000 individuals, 480 provider organizations, 470 non-profit partners and 650 health services organizations. The HIMSS staff is made up of changemakers who collaborate with members to reform the global health ecosystem through the power of information and technology.

Emely Lemus is Associate Manager of Informatics and IHE Liaison at HIMSS.

How long have you been at HIMSS?

As of July 8, I have been at HIMSS for three years! I started off as a front desk coordinator at the former HIMSS Innovation & Conference Center in Cleveland, Ohio, where I partnered with companies to onboard their technology into the technology showcase. I then moved over to a more policy-focused position at EHRA, working with leading Health IT market suppliers, and now I manage the IHE North American (NA) Connectathon, where I work to find new ways to add value and improve our testing events, processes and outreach to stakeholders.

How do you support our mission statement?

The Connectathon works to improve healthcare by promoting the adoption and use of IHE and other standards for interoperability to improve the quality, value and safety of healthcare.  

Another part of my role is in supporting the Global Consortium for eHealth Interoperability (GCeHI) and the IHE USA Cooperative Agreement with the Office of National Coordinator (ONC) to advance FHIR.

I have also committed myself to working alongside the HIMSS Global Health Equity Network (GHEN) to help introduce new diversity, inclusion and health equity facets to our IHE USA programming. I am excited to lead the Informatics Health IT Standards Team in its collaboration with GHEN and taking advantage of this resource at HIMSS.

How do you know your work at HIMSS makes a difference?

This year, IHE USA was lucky to host the IHE NA Connectathon 2020 in Cleveland prior to the global pandemic. With 400 attendees and more than 1,800 verified tests, we were able to have a successful week filled with great company, successful testing, and collaboration!

Next year, we are excited that the IHE North American Connectathon 2021 will be virtual. This is something we have never done before, but we are excited to take on the effort and host a successful virtual event.

What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about the work you do at HIMSS?

My first week on the job, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Sardinia, Italy, to support the IHE International Domain Face-to-Face meetings! It was such an amazing way to start my new job and am so lucky to have those opportunities.