#HIMSS18 Mix Tape

The annual HIMSS conference is the “Super Bowl” of HealthIT events. No other conference brings together as many HealthIT professionals, vendors and industry media in one place. The 2018 edition of HIMSS (#HIMSS18) is being held in Las Vegas NV and over 48,000 attendees are expected. Healthcare Scene is holding a whole series of open meetups at HIMSS18 where anyone can come and participate in the discussion so we hope to see you there.

For the past 3 years I have done something fun ahead of the conference. I asked a handful of industry experts and social media friends to choose a song that best represents healthcare and HealthIT. I published the resulting playlist along with their reasons for their selection. I dubbed it (excuse the pun) the #HIMSS Mix Tape.

Why a mix tape? Three main reasons:

  1. I’m a big comic book nerd and have been since I was a kid. In the recent Guardians of the Galaxy movies (which I’m a fan of) the hero carries around an old Sony Walkman and plays a mix tape that his mother made for him. My mix tape is a hat tip to these movies.
  2. Playlists are so 2000s. Mix tape has an exotic sounding quality to. Honestly which headline is more intriguing: HIMSS18 Playlist or HIMSS18 Mix Tape? Plus how to do you choose a graphic of a playlist?
  3. I have made one or two mix tapes in my day and there is a lost feeling of accomplishment you get when you painstaking cut songs together for a beach party, road-trip or for that special someone. The HIMSS Mix Tape is my attempt to re-live those youthful memories.

For past HIMSS Mix Tapes, check out these links:

This year, I decided to expand the Mix Tape to two volumes. Volume 1 is filled with songs chosen by fellow HIMSS18 Social Media Ambassadors (this is my 3rd year as a HIMSS SMA). Volume 2 is full of tunes from people I have become friends with because of HIMSS.

So without further ado, the HIMSS18 Mix Tape…please enjoy responsibly.

[Note: I put together this Spotify Playlist that has all the songs.]

Volume 1 – DJ SMA

Pushin’ Forward Back – Temple of the Dog. Chosen by Brian Eastwood, @Brian_Eastwood

Pretty self explanatory, but 2017 seemed like another year where health IT started to make progress but then had to take a step back and reassess where it had gone and where it wanted to go.

Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra. Chosen by Brian Mack, @BFMack

It is an affirmation of all that has been accomplished in the last year, and a tribute to the committed professionals, advocates, and stakeholders across the Health IT industry. Their positive contributions ARE having a significant impact on the quality of healthcare access, delivery, experience, outcomes, and affordability.

Westworld Season 1 Opening Credits – HBO. Chosen by Chuck Webster MD, MSIE, MSIS, @wareFLO

What about the 3D printing technology depicted? The drawing of three-dimensional muscles and sinews. And the artificial intelligence? Creative, problem-solving, communicating artificially intelligent beings? Which (who?) begin to learn, and perhaps surpass, their human creators? I can’t think of a short stretch of music more capturing emerging health IT themes and anxieties, from 3D printing to machine learning, to bridging software vs hardware divides, to reflecting on what is human about technology and what technology means for humanity.

What About Us – P!nk. Chosen by Colin Hung, @Colin_Hung

I chose this song as an anthem for: patients who have not been listened to; for caregivers who are suffering without support; for people + families dealing with rare diseases; for clinicians and other healthcare staff who are burned out; and for anyone who cannot get access to the care they need.

We are problems that want to be solved / We are children that need to be loved / We were willin’, we came when you called / But, man, you fooled us, enough is enough, oh

Street Life – The Crusaders & Randy Crawford. Chosen by Danielle Siarri, @innonurse

In healthcare people that live on the streets need more most care and their voice is not heard and this song just reminds me of the unseen patient. In the ED I would take care of prostitutes, IV drug users, pimps to homeless and the mentally ill that live on the streets. This song reminds me of them and the clinical staff that takes care of them.

North American Scum – LCD Soundsystem. Chosen by David Harlow, @healthblawg

This song sums up the dismay many of us feel with the current political situation. “I don’t know … where to begin …/ But in the end we make the same mistakes all over again/ Come on North Americans/ We are North American scum.” On the Health IT front, while there is surely progress being made, in a sense we are still making the same mistakes all over again. We could be farther along than we are towards achieving the quadruple aim if we would shed some of our chains, chief among them being the low level of interoperability enjoyed in the field.

Beautiful Day – U2. Chosen by Geeta Nayyar, @gnayyar

Despite this frustration with the constant rhetoric of the past few years, I hold on to the view that there is so much to be excited about in HIT. I really want to elevate the positive action happening right now all around us. Let’s work to move the conversations forward by highlighting the positive momentum happening in HIT – the developments that are making a difference, that unite rather than separate and those that are taking courageous first steps into new territory. We know what must be done, so let’s do it. This will be a beautiful day.

Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics (Ibiza Deep Summer Remix 2015). Chosen by Janae Sharp, @coherencemed

I like it because this year has seen good and bad in HealthIT – we’ve seen consolidation and progress and a lot of noise and it remains to be seen what will happen in the future. Also it’s a throwback from the old days of when ai first started getting traction. The original version is from the early 80s (timing isn’t exact) and then it’s been re-done before. So this time- we have a techno remix. Time will tell if it turns out to be life changing- in the meantime we have dancing.

All You Need Is Love  – The Beatles. Chosen by Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, @healthythinker

For two reasons: (1) “There’s nothing you can make that can’t be made,” like health; and, (2) Love is the killer app. Just sayin’.

I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Chosen by Linda Stotsky, @EMRAnswers

His song personifies our continued struggle for healthcare transformation, care coordination and usability. I am saying the same thing I’ve said for 15 years. But “I’ll stand my ground, no I won’t back down” until the healthcare paradigm changes – and improvements occur.

Dark Horse – Katy Perry. Chosen by Lygeia Ricciardi, @Lygeia

There are a lot of new entrants in the mix or on the horizon in healthcare and health IT these days: Amazon, Google, and Berkshire Hathaway, to name few. Industry lines are blurring every day—it’s a “perfect storm” to change things up in healthcare, and the dark horses joining the traditional race represent both the risks and opportunities of the unknown.

Mz. Hyde – Halestorm. Chosen by Matt Fisher, @matt_r_fisher

Healthcare and HealthIT certainly feel like there is a bit of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde going on. The goal of healthcare is to help people, but the dark side (at least to some degree) of regulation and missed expectations take away the focus from the positive. Which side will control? That remains an open question, though the positive is always striving to stay ahead.

Brave – Sarah Bareilles. Chosen by Max Stroud, @mmaxwellstroud

As the conversation across the nation grew around the issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault, it resonated with those in our own community who have had similar experiences. Be brave.

With what you want to say / And let the words fall out / Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Ordinary Love – U2. Chosen by Nick van Terheyden, @drnic1

Probably like many people I feel like I’m in the Line of Fire [Junip]…”What you choose to believe in, Takes you as you fall, No one else around you, No one to understand you, No one to hear your calls”. In fact “This world at times will blind you, Still I know I’ll see you there” – Come a Little Closer [Cage the Elephant] but  “I found my nirvana in a friend of mine” with the edgy “H” [Lawrence Rothman]. But ultimately “the world I love, the tears I drop, To be part of the wave Can’t Stop” [Red Hot Chili Peppers] and I end up with Ordinary Love – U2

The sea throws rock together / But time leaves us polished stones / We can’t fall any further / If we can’t feel ordinary love

Despacito – Luis Fonsi. Chosen by Rasu Shrestha, MD MBA, @RasuShrestha

I wanted to choose a hit song from the past year; and just kept bumping into one Ed Sheeran hit after another. While I love his heart tugging melodies, I am going with another popular hit. Despacito means “Slowly”; and that essentially is how I feel we’re making, and will continue to make, progress in health IT. Getting health IT “right” needs to be a dance – rhythmic, upbeat, fun, purposeful and passionate. Yup, flip Despacito on and turn that bass up please!

Join Together – The Who. Chosen by Sean Erreger, @StuckonSW

I am attending HIMSS this year on mission to find out how tech can better facilitate interdisciplinary care. Looking forward to the knocking down silo theme of this song. “Do you really think I care, What you eat or what you wear…Won’t you join together with the band

Anticipation – Carly Simon. Chosen by Tamara StClaire, @drstclaire

Given the new administration in the US, we don’t really now all that’s going to happen. We have a good feel for what the current administration would like to have happen…but no one will actually know until after mid-term elections. And whatever will happen will impact all of healthcare.

Volume 2 – HealthIT Fresh Tracks

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Monks. Chosen by Regina Holliday, @ReginaHolliday

I chose this because you cannot go wrong when you quote Monty Python, I also feel that we smacking are heads on a regular basis in HealthIT.

Okay – The Piano Guys. Chosen by John Lynn, @techguy

There’s a lot of craziness in the world including in healthcare IT, but it’s gonna be ok.  With all the bad in the world, there’s also a ton of good things and good people that just don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Pumpin’ Blood – Nonono. Chosen by Melody Smith Jones, @TheSameMel

Because 2018 is a year of exciting beginnings for me. While fear is unavoidable in the face of true challenge, I feel in charge of my destiny. I also have this amazing Health IT community whistling along with me as our journeys merge and build from each other.

This is Me – Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman). Chosen by Jennifer Dennard @JennDennard

It’s my favorite movie right now. I’ve seen it twice and will likely see it a third time in the theater. The movie – and song – leave you feeling so empowered. Definitely resonates with the #healthITchicks community right now!

Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf. Chosen by Joe Babaian, @JoeBabaian

HealthIT is very much still out on the highway, looking for adventure! Many opportunities and sights to see as we find and amplify the best we find. Truly HealthIT is born to be wild and flying high – it’s up to us to keep collaborating and bring healthcare into the future!

No – Meghan Trainor. Chosen by Sarah Bennight, @sarahbennight

As patients start demanding better experiences in healthcare like telemedicine, online record access, integration and collaboration between care team members, they have started saying NO when they don’t get what they want as informed consumers. My name is-NO! My address is-NO, my number is-NO, you should already know! Girl. if that facility doesn’t give you what you need, blah blah blah, just be like nah to the ah to the no, no no!

As Crazy As It Is – ZHU ft A Track & Keznamdi. Chosen by Sidonia Rose Swarm, @SidoniaRose

In order to infuse some much-needed chill reggae vibes into a chaotic HIMSS week, I thought “As Crazy As It Is” is a fitting choice. Most people in Health IT feel the red tape, long sales cycles, and integration hurdles make them “crazy” yet they stick around and could never abandon the frustrating yet fulfilling industry.

Despacito – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat Justin Bieber. Chosen by Jennifer Lannon, @HealthTechJen

I chose Despacito – because innovation and technology development and deployment happen very despacito (slowly!). I also chose it to bring a bit of fun flair into the HIMSS scene – and bring some Spanish-speaking & Latino/a culture, which in my experience is severely underrepresented among healthcare and technology leadership.

Radioactive – Imagine Dragons. Chosen by Dan Dunlop, @dandunlop

Welcome to the new age /  Welcome to the new age /  This is it… The Apocalypse

I like this song because it captures the tension I see in the Health IT space – and the divergent perspectives about Health IT. It is definitely a new age. But is it the Apocalypse? Is the future bleak or bright? Will IT enrich the work life of the physician or enslave them? Will IT free providers to spend more time with patients or disconnect them? This is the tension that this song evokes for me.

Heroes – David Bowie. Chosen by Mandi Bishop, @MandiBPro

It’s a reminder of our (health IT) youth, when we were invincible (and unicorns were everywhere). That was a heady feeling, and it gave us the inspiration and momentum to carry us through our rocky adolescence. Now that we’re older and wiser, we can find new – perhaps more effective and widely adopted – ways to be heroes…

Starman – David Bowie. Chosen by Andrew Richards @AndrewinTech

Things are changing and we are all going to have our minds blown by whats ahead. And…Elon Musk just sent a starman in a tesla into space!

digituRN – Ross Martin. Chosen by Ross D Martin, @RossMartin

Is it total self-promotion to offer an original song? [Editors note: Nope and I think the lyrics speak for themselves]

Enter Sandman – Metallica. Chosen by Nick Adkins, @nickisnpdx

Take my hand / We’re off to never never-land / Take my hand / We’re off to never never-land

Keep repeating that over and over and over……cuz that’s exactly what’s FINALLY happening in a BIG way this year with the industry getting WOKE! Go Apple, Amazon, JPM, Berkshire Hathaway, et al!

Too Close – Alex Clare. Chosen by Shereese Maynard, @ShereesePubHlth

Every year, I spend the year, trying to find synergy w/ vendors, whose product disappoints me on delivery. Prior to HIMSS, they usually beg, promote, and insists we get together. I’ve said it before; I’m still looking to be impressed.

Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who. Chosen by Gregg Masters @2healthguru

Because like clockwork we always do in healthcare.

 

Got a song that you think represents healthcare or HealthIT? Add it to the comments and it will become Volume 3!

About the author

Colin Hung

Colin Hung is the co-founder of the #hcldr (healthcare leadership) tweetchat one of the most popular and active healthcare social media communities on Twitter. Colin speaks, tweets and blogs regularly about healthcare, technology, marketing and leadership. He is currently an independent marketing consultant working with leading healthIT companies. Colin is a member of #TheWalkingGallery. His Twitter handle is: @Colin_Hung.

13 Comments

  • Good Old Days : Macklemore | Kesha

    This is a song about being present in today. As much as we think healthcare today is broken (and it is) what parts of it can we celebrate and use as the foundation for the healthcare of tomorrow. We wish things were different, but what about today will we miss? Have we gone too digital? Are we as connected as we were in the past when we shook hands instead of sent emails? #HumanizeHealthcare

  • Hi John,
    R Kelly – World’s Greatest.
    This encapsulates the heart of innovation and integration. We need to stand together. We might not always know what is right but we have a responsibility to do the right thing. Through releasing our positive energies, we can unleash the positive energy in others to embrace innovation, interoperability and integrated care.

  • In addition to response 1:
    PS Forgot to mention why this track should be included:
    “Doctor Doctor, gimme the news !!” When will the transformation of the #Healthcare get the full support of the medical community.
    When will will we see the end of the Age of #Medicosaurus Fax 😉

    Suggestion 2: Comfortably Numb Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour featuring David Bowie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hODALOTiH6A
    The current Healthsystem can no longer afford to stay comfortably numb amongst all the new eDevelopments which we will see at #HIMSS and which
    will eventually lead to the long expected transformation of the system. There are still big divides between patients/ clients and the selfcentered system, and
    between patients/clients and the Techworld. We have to build bridges. We need human connection and empathy and this cannot grow in a system dominated by numbers and numbness.

  • Great selections Allan. Both songs are great. I certainly hope we don’t feel too comfortable being numb. But then again that’s how I feel at the end of HIMSS.

  • I sincerely hope we can unleash interoperability. We’ve been talking about it for years now. Time to get something done about it. Certainly it is happening in pockets, but not the widespread adoption I think we were all hoping for. Great song choice.

  • Fantastic tune. Is there anyone who raps faster than Macklemore? Being present in the moment is definitely something healthcare is talking more about. Docs and nurses are trying to be more attentive to patients. HealthIT vendors are trying to be more inclusive in their designs of current products. I just hope we can find ways to give people more time to be present. We’ve put such a burden on clinicians and staff that’s its hard for them to be in the moment.

  • Tubthumping- combines the fight of all stakeholders, especially patients!, in healthcare fighting to make progress and combines some alcohol lyrics because #himssparties

    I get knocked down, but I get up again
    You are never gonna keep me down
    I get knocked down, but I get up again
    You are never gonna keep me down

    He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
    He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
    He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
    He sings the songs that remind him of the best times

  • I LOVE that song Amy. Great choice. Funny that the band actually encouraged people to steal their CD when it was released. Funny how the industry has changed since then. I hope we will one day look back at this time in healthcare and laugh at all the strange things we had to do as patients to navigate the system. See you at HIMSS18!

  • Invincible by Deep Wave

    This song played in Olympics promo clips… And it’s fitting to anyone in healthcare. No matter what your role in healthcare, be it a doctor, a patient or innovator looking to make a difference- we all are working toward the same dreams and goals. Healthcare may be siloed and it needs an incredible overhaul, if we dare to dream and not give up, we can change it! Sometimes it just takes a great inspirational song like this to remind us, we can!

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