By Angela Plunkett and Scott Afzal

Date/Time: Thursday, November 1, 2012 7:10 pm Location: ITE 459, UMBC

Health Information Exchange (HIE) involves the secure electronic sharing of clinical and administrative information among disparate health information systems for clinical care, process improvement/simplification, research, and reporting. Widespread adoption of HIE has the potential to create efficiencies in the health care delivery system by reducing duplicate medical tests and improving care coordination among health providers, leading to better health outcomes for patients and public health.

Strategies to accelerate HIE are being implementing nationwide to realize the full benefits that HIE can provide. In August 2009, CRISP was designated as Maryland's statewide HIE. Efforts to facilitate the exchange of clinical information have focused on value-based technology solutions, sound privacy and security policies, financial sustainability, transparency, and stakeholder collaboration. Over the last two years, the statewide HIE has made considerable progress in implementing the infrastructure to support HIE; all acute care hospitals are now making electronic patient information available to other providers. The statewide HIE includes over four million unique patients and, at the end of September 2012, has more than 27 million clinical documents available. HIE is a core technical requirement in supporting coordinated episodic care delivery in the context of the Affordable Care Act and evolving value-based payment reforms.

Biographies:

Angela Plunkett is Division Chief, for Health Information Exchange at the Maryland Health Care Commission's (MHCC) Center for Health Information Technology. Angela manages the health information exchange Policy Board and coordinates various health information technology regulatory and research initiatives of the MHCC to advance secure health information exchange and widespread adoption of electronic health records. Angela holds a M.A. and M.P.P. from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and Harris School of Public Policy.

Scott Afzal is a principal of Audacious Inquiry and directs the firm's Health Information Systems practice. He joined the firm in 2007, bringing several years of project management and systems integration expertise. Scott has served as the Program Director of Maryland's statewide health information exchange planning effort since the inception of CRISP, Maryland's state-designated entity for HIE. Scott is responsible for the successful deployment of the CRISP HIE infrastructure and for development of new service offerings. Scott holds a BSBA in Business Management from Bucknell University.

Student Ghyslaine Tchouaga, biological sciences, is currently serving as Miss Africa USA.

Tchouaga, who goes by “Gigi,” was crowned Miss Africa on November 13, 2011 in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is a Cameroonian native, born and raised in Yaoundé. She moved to the United States six years ago to pursue her education.

Tchouaga appeared on Afrotainment television’s  “Point of View” to discuss why she chose to compete in a beauty pageant.  “The reason I got involved with Miss Africa USA is because it has a beautiful purpose. You have a platform, and the focus is on what you can bring to the African continent,” she said.

She also appeared on the network’s “Samy Priso Show,” where she said that the humanitarian efforts she is participating in through the pageant are helping to prepare her to possibly attend a graduate program in public health.

Tchouaga plans to use her title as Miss Africa USA 2011-12 to raise awareness and funds to Fight Against Hunger in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia; promote the education of orphans in Cameroon; and provide medical equipment, supplies and medications to underserved communities in Cameroon.

She also plans to promote self-help, entrepreneurship and empowerment amongst Cameroonian youths by establishing an Afripolitan Club.

The Miss Africa USA Pageant is the biggest pageant that features African Queens in the United States of America. The pageant is a celebration of African beauty in North America through a showcase of culture, talent and leadership. The pageant is committed to building the self-esteem of young African women and empowering them as goodwill ambassadors to serve communities in need. The goal of the Miss Africa USA pageant is to groom a new generation of African women leaders to impact their communities in Africa, America and the rest of the world.

You can follow Tchouaga’s reign as queen through Miss Africa USA’s Facebook page.

Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, commented Sunday on the Washington Post‘s finding that out-of-state gambling companies and their allies have spent $56 million in the fight over Question 7, which would allow a Las Vegas-style casino to be built in Prince George’s County.

A Post poll revealed that 51% of likely voters say Maryland’s existing slots program has been a “good thing” for the state, but that 55% are not confident that the plan to expand gambling will produce more money for schools, as proponents suggest.

“I think one has to conclude the ads are making a huge difference,” said Norris, continuing, “People don’t trust politicians, and they’re being told politicians sold them a bill of goods. I think that resonates.”