HARRISBURG – The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) recently honored Senator Scott Martin (R-13) as Legislator of the Year for his work to ensure young people facing long-term illness and injury can continue their studies.
Martin was the author of Act 18 of 2019, which created a new grant program to make telepresence technology available to more students so they can continue to participate in classroom activities through the use of mobile robotic devices that resemble an iPad mounted on a Segway unit.
The program ensures young people who face challenging health circumstances do not miss out on valuable instructional time with teachers and learning opportunities with their classmates.
HIMSS is a global advocacy group that supports the transformation of the health care landscape through the power of information and technology. Members include more than 80,000 individuals, 480 provider organizations, 470 nonprofit partners and 650 heath services organizations. Pennsylvania hosts three regional chapters of the group with a combined membership of more than 2,000 health care IT professionals.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by this amazing organization for my work on behalf of some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable students,” Martin said. “Spending weeks or months outside of the classroom can be extremely detrimental to a young person’s social and educational development. I appreciate the fact that we were able to work with members of both parties to create this new program and ensure children who face difficult health challenges are not also forced to miss out on time with their teachers and peers.”
CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535