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Informatics Committee

The APHL Informatics Committee serves as our primary resource for subject matter expertise on information systems, systems standards and the informatics workforce.

Questions?

Contact us: [email protected]

Our Purpose

About the Committee

Committee Charge

The Informatics Committee serves to advise the board and association on information systems, electronic laboratory messaging and health information exchange. This committee is the Association’s resource for subject matter expertise on information systems, systems standards and the informatics workforce. This informatics Committee will provide technical assistance to public health in the area of LIMS implementation and electronic data exchange.

Priorities

The committee advises the APHL Board and membership on critical issues related to electronic laboratory messaging, health information exchange and data modernization initiatives that strengthen the public health laboratory system.

The Informatics Committee provides strategic guidance and technical assistance across several key areas and has identified the following priorities for the year:

  • Sustaining AIMS as Core Public Health Laboratory Data Infrastructure: Support member laboratories in understanding AIMS and its services; what they do, how labs use them and who benefits.
  • Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Laboratories: Consolidate evidence and develop practical guidance so that AI adoption serves every PHL, regardless of size or resources.
  • LIMS Support and Engagement: Facilitate and support member laboratories as they navigate LIMS options, evaluate various systems and consider critical functionality from vendors.

Subcommittees

The Informatics Committee maintains two subcommittees:

  • Data Modernization
  • Laboratory Data Interoperability and Standardization
Our Work

Projects and Work Products

Current Projects

Track emerging technology, standards, and policy developments that affect public health laboratory informatics, including data modernization initiatives. The committee leads the informatics contribution to APHL’s response to Request for Information, covering LIMS, cybersecurity and the use of AI in laboratory processes.

Maintain and promote APHL developed resources, guidance, and the informatics competency framework. These resources provide informatics workforce guidance focused on role specific skills, training and professional development resources for current and aspiring public health laboratory informaticists.

Convene a recurring venue for members to discuss, engage, and learn about critical informatics topics, challenges and solutions across the public health laboratory community.

Facilitate the Rhapsody, STARLIMS and Clinisys communities of practice, including Collaborate engagement, quarterly meetings and member-driven resource sharing.

Guide public health laboratories through the interconnected requirements of TEFCA, health information technology policy and FHIR to achieve meaningful interoperability with information systems while evaluating the vision of the HHS health IT ecosystem’s impact on labs.

Recently Completed Work Products

The Committee was instrumental in producing the following materials: 

  • PHL Data Modernization Readiness Survey
  • LIMS Resource Library 
  • Interoperability Forums
  • Lab Matters article publications
  • Conference presentations focused on laboratory COOP, workforce development and artificial intelligence
Our Team

Meet the Committee

The Committee has members representing state, local and institutional APHL member laboratories. 

Justin Nucci, MS, PMP
Committee Chair | Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Elizabeth White, RHIT
Committee Chair | Wyoming Public Health Laboratory 

Luke Short, PhD, HCLD(ABB)
APHL Board of Directors Liaison | Dallas County Health and Human Services

Noel Clarin, MS
NACCHO Partner Liaison | Fairfax County Health Department

Ivan Dudik, CPHIMS
Data Modernization Subcommittee Chair | Texas DSHS Public Health Laboratory Division

Victor Amadi, PhD, MSc, RHIT 
Laboratory Data Interoperability and Standardization Subcommittee Chair | Dallas County Health and Human Services 

Frank Delin, MS, MBA, PMP
Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory

Neelima Vundela, MS, PMP, RHIA
Alabama Department of Health

Ho Chang Yu, MS, MPH, PMP
NJDOH, Environmental and Chemical Laboratory Services (ECLS)

Hugh Peeples, RHIT
Tennessee Dept of Health, Division of Lab Services

Dené Hall, MS
Missouri State Public Health Lab

Ginny Dobbins, MS
Minnesota Department of Health

Emily Hopkins, MS, MBA, HCLD
Virgina Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services

Susanne Crowe, DrPH, MHA
Florida Department of Health Bureau of Public Health Laboratories

Raven Hardcastle 
Texas DSHS Public Health Laboratory Division

Sean Hannigan
Committee Liaison

Rachel Shepherd
Senior Specialist

Vanessa Holley
Program Lead

Melanie Kourbage 
Lead Specialist