1. IMIA-LAC Alvaro Margolis, MD MS, President on behalf of the IMIA-LAC Board 2006-2009 Term

2. Latin America and the Caribbean l Over 20 countries. l 560 million people. l From polar to tropical climates. l Most people speak Spanish and Portuguese. l Only four National Member Societies belong to IMIA.

3. Strategic goals for the next term of IMIA-LAC Board l 1. Strengthen the network of Health Informatics Societies in Latin America and the Caribbean l 2. Define the main topics to promote and the groups in charge of doing it

4. Goal 1. Strengthen the network of Health Informatics Societies l In each Country, there is a need for Health informatics Societies that are: »Multidisciplinary, »Representative within, across and outside each Country, and »Have a strong link with the Academia and Government

5. Goal 2. Define the main topics and the groups l Clinical information systems »Legal and regulatory bodies in each Country, »Adoption of Standards, and »Organizational Change and other critical success areas l Health Informatics Education »Graduate students of Health Careers, and »Health Informatics Professionals

6. Other areas of interest l Medical imaging and PACS l Integrated Health Information Systems l Telemedicine l Computer-assisted education l Nursing informatics l Bio-informatics l Public health informatics

7. Move from budget “zero” to a budget that would allow IMIA- LAC to accomplish its goals

8. Steps taken l Creation of electronic list »Imia-lac-board@informaticamedica.netImia-lac-board@informaticamedica.net l Renewed interest in becoming National Members (Chile, Venezuela, Bolivia, Perú, Colombia…) l Virtual informatics Congress in 2007 l Regional Congress in 2008 l Coordination and support from Societies from other Countries and Regions

9. Thank you! Alvaro Margolis, MD MS margolis@mednet.org.uy