The next Ad Hoc Award will never be repeated ...

Long time readers of this blog probably understand the rules.  For new readers, it's very simple.  I am the sole arbiter and judge.  There is no nominating committee, but nominations are certainly welcome.  I won't award more than one a year for the same kind of service (and since this nominee is unique, I'm certain that won't be an issue).  I try to keep the number of awardees to five per year (no reason, as I said, the rules are arbitrary).  In general I try to give awards to folks who would not otherwise be recognized for their contributions.  One tradition is that I have given out an award on the same day that the HL7 Ed Hammond awards are announced.  Not so much to compete, but more to build on a trend.

I don't see how the current award possibly could be duplicated; ever.  As I mentioned previously, I just finished reading Ten Faces of Innovation.  This next recipient is a collaborator extra-ordinaire, but even more importantly a story teller of unsurpassed skill in both word and deed.  I first learned about this individual when I watched the HHS announcement of the Meaningful Use regulation.  This awardee has done a great deal to raise the awareness of Health IT to patients across this country, and even Internationally.  Their work has seen HL7 appear in circles that nobody would ever expect.

Without further ado, I proudly welcome the next recipient:

This certifies that 

Regina Holliday, Patient Advocate and Artist

Has hereby been recognized for outstanding contributions to the forwarding of Healthcare Standardization through Art.

Regina, welcome to "The Riding Gallery".

For those of you who don't know Regina, see her blog for some truly amazing story telling in both art and print.  I'm a very proud member of The Walking Gallery which she created to raise awareness of patient needs.  Her work was recently featured on the cover of The Illustrator's Journal.  If you look closely at the upper right hand corner, you can see a reference to HL7.  If you happen to be at HL7 this week, and want to see an example of her art, I'll be wearing it.

The next Ad Hoc Harley Award ...

Those of you who have been reading for a while know the deal. For those who don't: This is an award I give out about 5 times a year to recognize a significant contribution to the development of Healthcare Standards. The contribution is often a singular one, and when it isn't, I don't do repeats in the same year. I'm the sole arbiter and judge. There is no contest or nomination period (although nominees are always welcome).

This week is the HL7 Working Group Meeting in Orlando. One of the significant activities that happens this week are the educational offerings provided at the meeting. I teach at these meetings, and sometimes also at the educational summits. This particular award recognizes the efforts of someone who's been very much involved in the educational efforts of HL7. This person has been deeply involved in recent updates to a couple of HL7 educational offerings, and also was responsible for creating one of HL7's most popular educational offerings.

One of the unstated rules of the Ad Hoc Harley award is that I usually try to pick people who have otherwise gone unrecognized. This next recipient wouldn't qualify under that unwritten rule, since he's also received a Duke Blue vase (The Ed Hammond Award) for similar contributions from HL7. But since it is an unwritten rule, I feel quite OK in breaking it this time. This is especially because outside HL7 circles, this individual probably hasn't been recognized enough, and because there is always a special place for teachers.

This certifies that 

Diego Kaminker of HL7 Argentina

Has hereby been recognized for outstanding contributions to the forwarding of Healthcare Standardization by educating others

Diego, thanks for all that you do, and for all you have taught. I can think of no-one else who's had a more direct effect on educating others about HL7 Standards.