Honor Health Info Workers

Senate Resolution No. 970 BY: Senator COMRIE MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 26-April 1, 2017, as Healthcare Information Professionals Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize an official week that is set aside to inform key audiences about the role and value of Healthcare Information Professionals, who acquire, analyze and protect digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 26-April 1, 2017, as Healthcare Information Professionals Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Healthcare Information Professionals Week; and WHEREAS, According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Health Information Management (HIM) is an allied health profession responsible for ensuring the availability, accuracy, and protection of the clinical information needed to ensure the available, accuracy, and protection of the clinical information needed to provide healthcare-related decisions; and WHEREAS, Health information professionals work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and many other organizations; and WHEREAS, HIM professionals play a vital role in the healthcare industry; this week provides everyone in the industry the opportunity to reflect on the significant achievements they have accomplished over the past year; and WHEREAS, St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York, provides exceptional healthcare and education programs in an academic setting across the continuum of care; and WHEREAS, For years, St. John's Episcopal Hospital has delivered high quality, value-based services with cultural sensitivity to the faiths and traditions of those they serve; the staff at the Hospital, have built an effective coalition aimed at achieving improved community health status in a financially stable environment, with emphasis on serving the needs of our patients and families, while training the physicians and healthcare providers of tomorrow; and WHEREAS, Each day, New Yorkers benefit from the caring and skilled attention of these individuals and it is appropriate to recognize the innumerable contributions of health information professionals by designating a special week in their honor; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize these outstanding healthcare professionals for their outstanding contribution in adding to the quality of life in our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it, RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 26-April 1, 2017, as Healthcare Information Professionals Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, and to St. John's Episcopal Hospital.