With the implementation of COVID vaccines and as we move more freely with less restrictions, I feel we are starting to feel a sense of optimism. Similarly, we are feeling a renewed energy at HIMAA as we embark on the new financial year. We are upgrading systems, implementing operation efficiencies, and refocusing our efforts.
We will shortly be reminding our members to renew their HIMAA membership before 30 June 2021. With the appointment of our new Member Engagement Manager, Claire Bell, I am committed to building and improving our member experience and benefit with Claire. Claire comes to HIMAA with over 12 years of membership experience with the Australian Water Association and the Association Forum.
I am very much looking forward to the coming year, working closely with our members in supporting the HIM profession and positioning HIMAA. I hope you will continue to support your professional membership with HIMAA in 2021 and beyond.
As we welcome Claire, I also need to announce the departure of our Marketing and Events Manager, Milla Krivozhnya. A hard look at our capabilities determined that it is best to outsource our annual conference delivery to a professional event management company. With the growing expectation for a higher-quality event, we recognise that HIMAA’s core capability does not lie with the event delivery and decided it will not be a function for further investment. We will continue to develop and direct the event program but work with a professional event management company to bring you the annual Conference on 25 – 27 October 2021. Unfortunately, this decision affected Milla’s position and she will be leaving HIMAA on 3 June 2021. We are indebted to Milla’s professionalism and dedication over the years in supporting HIMAA’s initiatives. She leaves with our best wishes.
We had an activity filled HIM Awareness Week during 10-16 May 2021. I enjoyed following all the activities on LinkedIn. Thank you for joining us for the two webinars: How to Write Resumes with Emma Maslen and our star-studded Bradycardia Bunch panel discussion. Congratulations to the winners of the HIM Awareness Week Student Poster Competition – Deborah Carlile (1st prize) Lily Pacey (2nd prize) Tim Gillies (3rd prize). Thanks all for getting on board and taking the opportunity to showcase your profession to your colleagues.
A reminder that enrolments for the 22274VIC Certificate IV in Clinical Classification close on 22 June 2021 – please feel free to spread the word. Also, do not forget the HIMAA 2021 Research Grant Scheme is now open. The applications closes on 30 June 2021 and it is open to all financial members.
Please check out the new online HIM-Interchange platform. The first 2021 issue, Issue 11 Volume 1, is now published at https://him-i.himaa.org.au/. Led by the dedicated editors and the subcommittee, it was a tremendous effort to launch this platform. I thank them and to those contributing articles for this issue. Included is an article about me with interview questions from Maryann Wood. I have to say some of those questions were a bit tricky to answer!
Our state branches continue to be committed in bringing opportunity for members to network and upskill. We have two branch events in June:
WA Branch, Sundowner for Students – 2 June 2021
NSW Branch, Clinical Day Focus – 3 June 2021
Please take advantage of these local face-to-face events and enjoy meeting up with your colleagues.
In the last newsletter I announced that we had a mini office makeover and now have a meeting room and a hot desk that members are welcome to use on occasions. You can email us at himaa@himaa.org.au to check if the space is available and book.