Acronym Anxiety : AAMC

We work in a field dominated by acronyms. Arguably we work at the confluence of three fields (technology, healthcare, and higher education) which in their own individual rights are dominated by acronyms which puts us on top of the acronym anxiety heap. All of us at some point started working here and were befuddled by the seeming ease that a litany abbreviations being spoken to us somehow laced together to form a coherent message. I would like to take the opportunity to hopefully diffuse some of the anxiety by walking through some of the our field's shorthand a bit at a time.

AAMC: Association of American Medical Colleges (vulgate: 'Double A M C')

What is it: It is a professional association organization that helps create a community between the medical colleges and teaching hospitals of the US and Canada. It also acts as a broad coordinative service that helps focus joint efforts around the shared initiatives of these groups and associations.  AAMC also provides some services that are specifically geared towards our customers. These often shape what products and services we develop in tandem. Some additional history and purpose statements can be found here: AAMC About us.

What does that have to do with IT?:  IT is of course a pervasive element in most fields and industries, but what makes the AAMC special in it's approach is it's formation of special member groups. While there are interesting subjects in many of the some 23 special member groups it is the GIR or Group on Information Resources that is probably most relevant. The GIR has a series of subcommittees that focus on particular topics, but in the broadest sense, the group provides a forum for discussion on the application and integration of technologies for academic medical institutions. Of note is the AAMC GIR Leadership Institute which is a four day experience that UMMS regularly sends candidates.