Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in joining the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO). We are a young, dynamic association that offers the opportunity to contribute to improved health and health care on a global scale. Our goals include enhancing the health of humankind by facilitating better health information management and contributing to improved delivery of care by the clinical and social care professions.

Around the world, there is increasing recognition that electronic health records can foster improvements in health outcomes and in the efficiency of health services. Patients can benefit, as can health care providers and health systems. These gains depend on the safe exchange of clinical information. Standardized clinical terminology is a key to moving forward.

With this in mind, nine countries joined together to launch IHTSDO in March 2007, and more are expected to join soon. Much has been achieved already, but there is much more to do. The focus is now on building on what we have accomplished to date, bringing the IHTSDO Community of Practice around the world together to achieve further progress. For example, we will look to broaden use of SNOMED CT, accelerate progress on terminology development and maintenance, and strengthen the Community of Practice and the tools to support it.

To make this possible, we are recruiting three senior professionals who will report to IHTSDO’s CEO. The roles are distinct, but complementary. While the Chief Officers may be based in different parts of the world, they will be part of an integrated global team that works together to meet the needs of Members and other users of IHTSDO’s standards.

I hope that you will consider joining us on this journey and look forward to receiving your application through our retained advising consultants at Harvey Nash.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Zelmer, CEO