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Appl Clin Inform 2024; 15(04): 650-659
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1788658
Review Article

Fellows of the American Medical Informatics Association (FAMIA): Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Laura Heermann Langford
1   Nursing Informatics, College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
,
Kate Fultz Hollis
2   Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Margo Edmunds
3   Academy Health, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
,
Allison B. McCoy
4   Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
,
Eric S. Hall
5   Biomedical Research Informatics Center, Nemours Children's Heath, Orlando, Florida, United States
,
Jeffrey A. Nielson
6   Emergency Medicine, Kettering Health, Dayton, Ohio, United States
,
Sarah Collins Rosetti
7   Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
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Abstract

Background Over the past 30 years, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) has played a pivotal role in fostering a collaborative community for professionals in biomedical and health informatics. As an interdisciplinary association, AMIA brings together individuals with clinical, research, and computer expertise and emphasizes the use of data to enhance biomedical research and clinical work. The need for a recognition program within AMIA, acknowledging applied informatics skills by members, led to the establishment of the Fellows of AMIA (FAMIA) Recognition Program in 2018.

Objectives To outline the evolution of the FAMIA program and shed light on its origins, development, and impact. This report explores factors that led to the establishment of FAMIA, considerations affecting its development, and the objectives FAMIA seeks to achieve within the broader context of AMIA.

Methods The development of FAMIA is examined through a historical lens, encompassing key milestones, discussions, and decisions that shaped the program. Insights into the formation of FAMIA were gathered through discussions within AMIA membership and leadership, including proposals, board-level discussions, and the involvement of key stakeholders. Additionally, the report outlines criteria for FAMIA eligibility and the pathways available for recognition, namely the Certification Pathway and the Long-Term Experience Pathway.

Results The FAMIA program has inducted five classes, totaling 602 fellows. An overview of disciplines, roles, and application pathways for FAMIA members is provided. A comparative analysis with other fellow recognition programs in related fields showcases the unique features and contributions of FAMIA in acknowledging applied informatics.

Conclusion Now in its sixth year, FAMIA acknowledges the growing influence of applied informatics within health information professionals, recognizing individuals with experience, training, and a commitment to the highest level of applied informatics and the science associated with it.

Keywords

professional - competence - informatics - AMIA

Protection of Human and Animal Subjects

The authors did not conduct a human subject study for this report and used anonymous data provided by AMIA from their membership database.




Publication History

Received: 19 March 2024

Accepted: 29 May 2024

Article published online:
07 August 2024

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