WellSpan Health today announces that the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS) have honored Dr. R. Hal Baker, senior vice president and chief digital and chief information officer, WellSpan Health, as the recipient of the Physician Executive Leader of the Year Award.

The HIMSS-AMDIS Physician Executive Leader of the Year Award recognizes a physician leader who demonstrates significant leadership in optimizing health engagements and care outcomes through information and technology. The award is given for success and achievement as a physician leader who champions information and technology to achieve optimal strategic impact.

"I'm proud to accept this award because it recognizes how our entire Information Service Team has partnered with our clinical teams to find a better way to deliver care and allow our patients to experience care as we each want for our own family," said Baker.

In his role at WellSpan Health, Baker oversees information technology, health information management, medical informatics, cyber security, and digital and biomedical technology, with a focus on creating WellSpan's Analytics Center of Excellence and Innovation Center.

He has championed WellSpan's progress in leveraging technology to improve patient safety, clinical care, and quality of the patient experience. A recent recipient of the 2021 PhillyCIO of the Year® ORBIE® Award, Baker also has cared for patients for more than 25 years at WellSpan Internal Medicine – Apple Hill, in York.

Baker will be recognized during the 2022 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, held March 14 - 18, 2022, in Orlando, Fla., at the Orange County Convention Center. For nearly 60 years, HIMSS members and healthcare professionals — chief information officers, senior executives, providers, payers, information technology consultants, and entrepreneurs — have attended the health information and technology industry's most influential conference and trade show.