Foster economic development opportunities and improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare in Georgia through the advancement of technology.

Our Mission

IHIT started as a small group of healthcare IT companies and organizations in Atlanta who wanted to work together to grow our economy, expand employment opportunities, and ultimately improve healthcare in Georgia through the advancement of technology.

Today, more than 50 vendors, health systems, and educators are actively engaged in IHIT programs, such as the annual workforce needs research study, HIT Day at the Georgia State Capitol, and interactive panel discussions with state legislators to ensure Georgia maintains its leadership position as our nation’s largest healthcare IT community.

Access
Collaborate and support multiple stakeholders to help ensure internet connectivity for as many people as possible with a specific focus on underserved communities in Georgia. Stakeholders include those who interact with healthcare, such as: state and local leaders, hospitals, medical practices, medical device firms, health IT and telecom companies, and others.
Collaboration
Facilitate the collaboration of information technology executive representatives consisting of CIOs, CISOs, and other decision-makers to have a platform to discuss healthcare technology priorities, vulnerabilities, or innovative opportunities for the improvement of health, access, and delivery of healthcare for people across Georgia.
Economy
Facilitate the formation of consortiums and task forces throughout Georgia that will seek diverse funding opportunities to reduce the cost for access to broadband and minimize upfront costs for virtual health solutions such as remote patient monitoring devices and infrastructure costs for telehealth visits.
Education
Collaborate and work with existing organizations to educate providers and patients on how to engage with digital health solutions.
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Our Start

In the early 2000s, Georgia began to emerge as a leader in healthcare IT as more healthcare organizations began to call Georgia their home. With market leaders like McKesson and MedAssets (now Vizient) already here, several early-stage companies, like Brightree and Sharecare, started to lay down their roots and grow. The care provider community was equally strong with institutions like Children’s Healthcare and Emory Healthcare—known around the world as innovative thinkers and providers of top-notch care.

Government organizations such as the CDC and non-government associations like the American Cancer Society, both headquartered in Georgia, continued to drive demand for qualified healthcare-related technology work.

As healthcare reform started to take shape, so did the state of Georgia’s innovative healthcare IT community.

Pat Williams, one of the founders of IHIT and the current chairman, knew that something great could be achieved if all of these organizations had the opportunity to collaborate more effectively. Whether it was creating job opportunities for experienced Georgia workers or new innovations that could advance the health of our communities, the opportunity was there. This idea was the spark that fueled the creation of IHIT in 2011. 

Since its inception, IHIT has worked tirelessly to connect, inspire, and advance the needs of Georgia’s healthcare IT community.

Today, IHIT is a neutral, healthcare technology-focused hub that engages organizations and companies throughout Georgia with the sole purpose of improving people’s lives through economic growth and development, collaboration, education, and access to healthcare.

Our Impact

Healthcare Information Technology Day at the Georgia State Capitol

Each year, IHIT brings together hundreds of healthcare IT leaders, healthcare providers, and community leaders on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol. Through these events, we are able to keep the issues facing the HIT community at the forefront of the state’s legislative agenda. We present our annual letter on the Congressional floor, then all attendees are invited to join us for panel discussions, speakers, and networking opportunities.

Research Studies and Reports

Each year, IHIT conducts research studies and produces valuable industry reports that represent the burning issues that Georgia’s healthcare IT community is facing. We’ve covered everything from the state’s workforce needs to the status of digital health in Georgia. Visit our Research page to access all of the most recent reports from IHIT.

Roundtable Discussions

Several times every year, IHIT hosts roundtable discussions with leading healthcare providers, technologists, educators, and innovators from across state to discuss the industry’s challenges and strategies of the future. We’ve successfully hosted a variety of groups, including CIOs from more than 25 Georgia hospitals discussing the state of cyber security and interoperability.Several times every year, IHIT hosts roundtable discussions with leading healthcare providers, technologists, educators, and innovators from across state to discuss the industry’s challenges and strategies of the future. We’ve successfully hosted a variety of groups, including CIOs from more than 25 Georgia hospitals discussing the state of cyber security and interoperability.

Lieutenant Governor’s Business and Education Summit

IHIT designed and managed the healthcare program for the Lieutenant Governor’s annual college and career academy program. Leaders from participating IHIT companies were asked to speak on interactive panel discussions and educate attendees on the issues and opportunities within the healthcare IT community in Georgia.