HMS Sponsors Williamson County Student in SkillsUSA Championships

HMS sponsors student’s participation in multi-million dollar showcase for best career and technical education students in nation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 14, 2011)—Williamson County student Ben Climer will compete in the computer maintenance category of the SkillsUSA Championships on June 23 in Kansas City, Mo., thanks in part to sponsorship by Healthcare Management Systems Inc. (HMS). Climer, a junior at Independence High School in Williamson County’s Thompson Station, qualified for nationals by winning first place at the state competition where he had to demonstrate his knowledge and skill in computer and network configuration and troubleshooting.

SkillsUSA is a national non-profit organization with the mission of ensuring America has a skilled workforce. It serves teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including healthcare.

“The SkillsUSA Championships is a showcase for the best career and technical education students in the nation,” said Keith Steffens, the teacher who first welcomed Climer into his computer operating systems and hardware class as a freshman. “Ben has worked hard to reach this level; he had to finish in the top five at the regional competition in Nashville to advance to state, and I’m sure he’ll do well at nationals.”

“Waiting to hear who they announced as winner at state was one of the most intense moments of my life,” said 17-year-old Climer, who is also a video editor and an award-winning web designer. “I’m honored that people are impressed with my ability and what I’ve been able to accomplish at a young age.” Climer is leaning toward a career as a computer technician and already provides clients with consulting services.

“We congratulate Ben on his success and are proud to support his participation in this program,” said Tom Stephenson, president and chief executive officer of HMS, which has opened a new office in Williamson County. “We wanted to show our support of the school system and students like Ben who are preparing for a technology career. Our healthcare IT field in particular has a high demand for an especially skilled workforce.”

HMS’s sponsorship funds will go toward paying Climer’s travel expenses to Kansas City for the SkillsUSA Championships, where more than 5,600 students will compete hands-on in 94 different trade, technical and leadership fields. The multi-million dollar event occupies a space equivalent to 16 football fields.

About HMS
Healthcare Management Systems Inc. (HMS) is a Nashville-based healthcare company that develops, sells and supports integrated clinical and financial hospital information systems and services designed to increase efficiency while improving patient safety. The HMS EHR is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified by Drummond Group, an ONC-ATCB, in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Founded in 1984, HMS currently serves nearly 700 community hospitals; behavioral, rehabilitation and long-term acute-care facilities; and multi-entity healthcare organizations nationwide. For more information, please visit www.hmstn.com.

News media contact:
Eve Hutcherson
Director of Communications
ehutcherson@hmstn.com
615-732-7024