We are on track to achieving a collective impact in better health for all by working together as a nation to usher in an interoperable learning health system. In such a health system, health information can be collected, shared, and used – not by the government, but by each individual, their providers, and researchers – to improve public and population health, facilitate important research, inform clinical quality measures and care outcomes, and keep our communities healthy.

We are convening a conversation on the present and future state of that interoperable health system at the 2015 ONC Annual Meeting: Interoperable Health IT for a Healthy Nation, to be held February 2-3, 2015, at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. The Annual Meeting will deliver two days of in-depth content on the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan.

I am looking forward to kicking off the Annual Meeting, but am even more excited to hear from some of our amazing partners in the field, including the compelling real-life user experience of Angela Kennedy, a mother caring for her daughter with cystic fibrosis. Additional featured speakers and panelists include:

• A discussion on the importance of health IT from a policy perspective in a session with former Senate Majority Leaders Bill Frist, M.D. and Tom Daschle.
• A unique panel discussion with all four previous National Coordinators: David Brailer, M.D., Ph.D., Robert Kolodner, M.D., David Blumenthal, M.D., and Farzad Mostashari, M.D., M.Sc. talking about the state of health IT in our nation past, present, and future.
• Breakout sessions during both days on topics that address the consistent, timely, and appropriate access to accurate and reliable health information, and how that information can be securely shared amongst and meaningfully used by everyone across the continuum of care.

More than 1,000 stakeholders, experts and partners are expected to join us to share and learn about the successes we have all experienced during the past decade and the opportunities we have as we move into the future. And, to chart this path towards an interoperable learning health system, the content of the 2015 ONC Annual Meeting will be tailored to the uniqueness of each of our valuable stakeholders.

• Health care clinicians, providers, and payers can choose from a range of topics from accountable care organization (ACO) reporting to advancing rural health. Additional sessions will also cover interoperability, care transition, big data, and quality improvement.
• Consumers and their advocates can learn the importance of their personalized health IT and the plentiful options they have to be an engaged participant in the conversation.
• Innovators and developers, this is your chance to connect with policymakers, providers, and consumers on the critical elements of health care technology of the future. Conversations on certification, regulations and how we can improve the exchange of health information will be center stage at this meeting.
• Researchers will hear how health IT can provide real-time data sets and the important role that health information plays in informing the drive from evidence to clinical practice.
• Networking opportunities including breakfast roundtables on February 2.
• And plenty more!

We invite you to make plans to join the conversation at the 2015 ONC Annual Meeting. Check out the agenda and register today!

2015 ONC Annual Meeting
February 2-3, 2015
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
Registration: http://healthit.gov/oncmeeting