International Medical Informatics Association

The International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) is an independent organization that plays a role in promoting and furthering the application of information science in modern society, particularly in the fields of healthcare, bioscience and medicine. It was established in 1967 as a technical committee of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP). It became an independent organization in 1987 and was established under Switzerland in 1989.

Goals and objectives

the promotion of informatics in health care and biomedical research
the advancement of international cooperation
the stimulation of research, development and education
the dissemination and exchange of information

Inherent in this mission is to bring together, from a global perspective, scientists, researchers, vendors, consultants and suppliers in an environment of cooperation and sharing. The international membership network of national member societies, IMIA regions, corporate and academic institutional members, and working and special interest groups, constitute the "IMIA family".

IMIA organizes various conferences and events around the world and is currently focusing on "bridging the knowledge gap" by facilitating and providing support to developing nations. Specific goals include supporting the ongoing development of the African Region.

Code of Ethics for Health Information Professionals

The International Medical Informatics Association approved the endorsement of the IMIA Code of Ethics for Health Information Professionals at its General Assembly meeting on October 4, 2002 in Taipei. The code is the culmination of several years of a global collaborative effort led by IMIA's working Group on Data Protection in Health Information, Chaired by Professor Ab Baker.

In 2016, the General Assembly approved an updated version of the Code of Ethics, which was authored by Dr. Eike-Henner W. Kluge, Professor of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Victoria in Victoria, BC, Canada

Membership

IMIA membership consists of National, Institutional and Affiliate Members and Honorary Fellows.

National Members represent individual countries. A member is a society, a group of societies, or an appropriate body, which is representative of the medical, and health informatics activities within that country. Where no representative societies exist, IMIA accommodates involvement through "Corresponding" members within developing countries.

Leadership

IMIA is governed by the General Assembly composed of representatives of member societies and a Board of Directors.

President (2017 – 2019)

Dr. Christoph U. Lehmann, United States

Past President (2017 – 2019)

Dr. Hyeoun-Ae Park, South Korea

President elect (2017 – 2019)

Dr. Sabine Koch, Sweden

Secretary (2015 – 2021)

Dr. Petter Hurlen, Norway

Treasurer (2017 – 2020)

Dr. Johanna Westbrook, Australia

Vice Presidents of the IMIA Board

VP MedInfo (2017 – 2019)

Dr. Patrick Weber, Switzerland

VP Membership (2012 – 2018)

Dr. Michio Kimura, Japan

VP Services (2016 – 2019)

Dr. Brigitte Séroussi, France

VP Special Affairs (2016 – 2019)

Dr. Elizabeth Borycki, Canada

VP WGs and SIGs (2016 – 2019)

Dr. Ying (Helen) Wu, China

Regional Vice Presidents to IMIA

VP for APAMI

Dr. Kyung-Hee Cho, South Korea

VP for EFMI

Dr. Anne Moen, Norway

VP for HELINA

Dr. Ghislain Kouematchoua Tchuitcheu, Cameroon

VP for IMIA-LAC

Dr. Amado Espinosa, Mexico

VP for North America

Dr. Andre Kushniruk, Canada

IMIA Liaison Officers

WHO Liaison Officer

Dr. Antoine Geissbuhler, Switzerland

IFIP Liaison Officer

Dr. Hiroshi Takeda, Japan

ISO Liaison Officer