About the HIMSS Oregon Chapter

We are a group of local health information technology professionals who collaborate, share, and discuss how to promote an efficient and integrated healthcare experience across Oregon and southwest Washington.

Our mission is to reform the global health ecosystem through the power of information and technology. We unite healthcare IT professionals with their business and clinical partners to address common issues, network, and promote the industry. As a hub for networking and discussion, we embrace the evolving practice and delivery of healthcare, believing that the best solutions come from diverse perspectives. Together, we share knowledge, explore new tools and technologies, and grow professionally.

Our Purpose

As a chapter of HIMSS, we connect our members with the latest developments in industry and technology. Through HIMSS, our members gain access to new tools, methods and technologies as well as HIMSS’ professional development programs. Specifically, we look to:

  • Bring the healthcare IT community together in meaningful and focused ways across the state
  • Provide industry-leading educational and networking events with local and national members and partners
  • Facilitate networking among HIT professionals and large healthcare providers
  • Provide a forum for sharing best practices and lessons learned from the intersection of healthcare and technology
  • Spotlight local and national innovations
  • Share policy announcements at the local level
  • Raise awareness of issues affecting our members

Our Members

Nearly 1000 Healthcare and IT professionals from across Oregon and southwest Washington actively participate in our chapter, including:

  • IT leaders from Oregon’s healthcare organizations (CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, VPs, Directors)
  • Healthcare IT business analysts, project managers, and network administrators
  • IT security and risk management specialists
  • Nursing and medical informaticists and clinicians
  • Healthcare IT students from regional colleges and universities

Our Leadership

President Michele Strickland

Asante Director of Medical Informatics

Michele Strickland's LinkedIn Profile

Past President Julia Millard

DexCare Chief Customer Experience Officer

Julia Millard's LinkedIn Profile

Secretary Molly Katsanes

PeaceHealth Director, IT Applications

Molly Katsanes's LinkedIn Profile

Treasurer Renee McKetchnie

Oregon Health & Science University AVP of Healthcare Applications

Renee McKetchnie's LinkedIn Profile

Sponsorship Chair Joe Clemons

Pivot Point Consulting VP, Operations

Joe Clemons's LinkedIn Profile

Advocacy Chair Bryan Boehringer

Oregon Medical Association CEO & Executive VP

Bryan Boehringer's LinkedIn Page

Membership Chair Jennifer More

Baxter InternationalCare Communications Workflow Consultant

Jennifer More's LinkedIn Page

Programs Chair Richard Gibson

Comagine HealthPhysician Informaticist

Richard Gibson's LinkedIn Page

  • President and President-Elect
    • Strategic and Operational Plan
    • Manage and facilitate Board of Directors agenda
    • Board elections and succession planning
    • Facilitate Advisory Council
  • Secretary
    • Maintain Board of Directors meeting minutes and file share
    • Contribute and intentional activities and topics that support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives
  • Treasurer
    • Maintain cash balance to support planned events
    • Collaborate on pricing strategy with programs
    • Maintain financial reporting
  • Programs Chair
    • Oversee events
    • Collaborate with Treasurer on pricing strategy
  • Membership Chair
    • Design, execute, and monitor membership growth to increase diversity and reach
    • Manage National–Chapter integration issues and membership reports
  • Sponsorship Chair
    • Create and execute Vendor Focus Group Program
    • Oversee sponsorship activities and revenue generation to offset program costs
  • Communication Chair
    • Maintain chapter website to be aligned with HIMSS national
    • Oversee communication strategy and content
    • Oversee social media strategy
  • Advocacy Chair
    • Identify and communicate national and local position statements and advocacy efforts
    • Health Information Technology Oversight Council collaboration

Bridget Barnes

Oregon Health & Science University VP & CIO

Advisory Council Chair

Julia Millard

DexCare Chief Customer Experience Officer

Chapter Past President

Julia Millard's LinkedIn Profile

Maili Boynay

Legacy Health VP of Information Services Applications

Maili Boynay's LinkedIn Profile

Jeremiah Brickhouse

St. Charles Health System CIO

Valerie Fong

Providence St. Joseph Health Chief Nursing Informatics Officer

Valerie Fong's LinkedIn Profile

Lee David Milligan, MD, CHCIO

Asante Health System SVP & CIO

Lee Milligan's LinkedIn Profile

Susan Otter

Oregon Health Authority Director of Health Information Technology

Susan Otter's LinkedIn Profile

Sonney Sapra

Samaritan Health Services SVP & CIO

Sonney Sapra's LinkedIn Profile

Will Weider

PeaceHealth SVP & CIO

Will Weider's LinkedIn Profile

2025 Strategic & Organizational Plan

Organization in 6 months

  • Continue virtual “Lunch & Learn” series.
  • Increase vendor engagement.
  • Add new Board of Directors members and president-elect.
  • Ensure members clearly understand the HIMSS value proposition and advocacy position.
  • Survey members for event location preference.

Organization in 12 Months

  • Host an in-person event outside the Portland Metro Area.
  • Complete the migration to standard HIMSS tools.
  • Recruit a president-elect.

What we can do better

  • Articulate and share our value proposition.
  • Develop and execute a board succession strategy.
  • Highlight local and new vendors.
  • Optimize volunteer utilization.
  • Enhance membership diversity and growth.
  • Increase panelist diversity.
  • Expand virtual and hybrid event offerings.
  • Curate content for non-Epic and non-urban/large health care professional members.

  1. Grow membership in rural areas, non-Epic health care professionals, vendor communities, and among underrepresented and minority groups.
  2. Ensure diverse representation and viewpoints in all activities, including racial, gender, socioeconomic, and rural/urban diversity, to reflect Oregon’s full landscape.
  3. Explore diversity opportunities offered by HIMSS National.
  4. Maintain sponsorship and pricing structures to serve the largest constituent base.
  5. Ensure that programming is relevant, valuable to our diverse workforce, and creates opportunities.

Area Target
Sponsorship Grow sponsorship by 10% with 50% retention rate
Events Host 4 events within the fiscal year, including virtual events
Geographic Diversity Have at least 15% of event attendants be from outside the Portland Metro Area