February 22, 2012 Gwen Darling
Usually I spend this day in client meetings, reserving the evening for my two favorite social events of the conference - Healthcare Informatics magazine's Innovator Awards reception, and the famous HIStalk party. I began the day thinking this would most decidedly be the plan, but. . . well, let's just say it's good to have a plan, but you just never know where you'll end up at the end of the day.
February 21, 2012 Gwen Darling
Can't make it to HIMSS12? The fact that this year's conference is in Vegas should provide some added excitement and spectacle. Certainly some added spectacle is always welcomed on these trips. I'll do my best to report on the sights and sounds of conference for those of you who couldn't make it this year, and hopefully do so with ease on this slick new keyboard I just purchased for my iPad.
February 8, 2012 Gwen Darling
We all know that when the home life suffers, the work life suffers. So it isn’t really a stretch for a Healthcare IT Careers blogger to offer love life advice, right? Plus, I worked in a flower shop in my early years, and I’m female – so I know a bit about these matters, too. So without further adieu, here are 3 secrets that every man should know about sending flowers on Valentine’s Day:
August 3, 2011
Last summer, I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and immediately set about establishing my home base there. I found a new hair stylist, a new coffee shop, and a new bartender who could mix a proper skinny margarita - you know, all the critical things. Also on the list were the details I knew I had to address but continued to put off: New driver's license, new car tags, new doctor.
June 21, 2011
Late last year, Anthony, the husband of a close friend, was unexpectedly let go during a massive layoff at the corporation where he had been happily employed for over 15 years. I've known this guy for years, and although I've been privy to insider information regarding a few of his less-than-desirable man habits (you know exactly what I'm talking about), I'd always admired his professional chutzpah - he was most definitely a leader. Awards, promotions, recognition out the wazoo. So I wasn't the least bit worried about his future when the news that he was "in transition" was shared at our monthly Girls' Night Out. I told my friend to tell him that I was available to help in any way I could, and meant it, but I never expected to hear from him - he certainly had it under control.
February 22, 2011 Gwen Darling
Monday at HIMSS is always the most hectic, ridiculously overscheduled day of the conference. Today was no exception. I’m not sure why everyone decides to schedule their events on Monday night – maybe they feel attendees will still be fresh and engaged (as long as they stay away from the Tylenol PM). My plan for this day was to try to visit as many current clients as possible and to get the lay of the land as far as the Exhibit Hall went. Well. . . the Exhibit Hall is . . . absurd and over-the-top and chaotic in a Ringling Brothers kind of way. And enormous beyond belief.
February 21, 2011 Gwen Darling
Last year I had a great deal of fun blogging about my HIMSS experience for Healthcare Informatics, and received quite a lot of positive feedback from those who were unable to go, so I’ll attempt to do the same this year. If you’re unable to make it to HIMSS this year – shoot me an email if there’s something you’d like to experience vicariously – I’ll do my best to check it out!
December 2, 2010
I’ve talked about the value of LinkedIn pretty regularly here on HCI. What it is, how to make connections and even how to be polite about the whole networking with strangers thing. As someone who works with both Healthcare IT candidates and employers, I hear LinkedIn success stories daily from both sides, and actually have one myself, since a LinkedIn connection is what initially diverted my career path to this fine industry. So when it comes to the importance of maximizing the resources of LinkedIn, I get it. However, since I have added C-Level sourcing to my list of services, now I REALLY get it.
September 27, 2010
I’m hearing from candidates and recruiters that hospital hiring managers and/or the hiring powers that be are dragging their feet when it comes to communicating their feedback and desires in regard to the candidates submitted. I heard from a very disappointed candidate just this morning who, after not hearing from her #1 choice after her interview 5 WEEKS AGO accepted another position, and then – guess what?
September 9, 2010
I’m a huge proponent of the power of Social Media. I write about it for anyone who’ll read it, talk about it to anyone who’ll listen, and utilize the strengths of the various channels in my own business every single day. Heck, I’ll even jump in and defend it when one of my colleagues rants about keeping a lid on it! Social Media channels, such as my personal favorite, LinkedIn, are unmatched when it comes to providing access to colleagues you know, and those you’d like to know better. And yes, it even provides access to those you really don’t care to know, at least at the moment. You know who I’m talking about – those pesky recruiters.
