Vital Explores "The Way of Tea" During HIMSS 2017

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 15, 2017 -- Vital Images, Inc. (Vital), a Minneapolis-based advanced medical imaging and informatics company is inviting guests to take a brief, tranquil break and immerse themselves in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony during the highly energetic pace of a major conference in February.

Vital will present “The Way of Tea” on Monday, February 20, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at their exhibit during the annual conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) to be held February 19 – 23 in Orlando, Florida. HIMSS is a global, not-for-profit organization devoted to better health through information technology. This year’s conference at the Orange County Convention Centre will attract more than 40,000 health IT professionals, clinicians, executives, and vendors from around the world.

Dating from the ninth century, the tea ceremony is elaborate and refined, and is meant to demonstrate respect through grace and good etiquette. It is a ritual that represents mindfulness, harmony and tranquility.

Playing a vital role in the Japanese ceremony will be John Halamka, MD, MS, a medical information technology visionary and cultural enthusiast. Dr. Halamka is Chief Information Officer of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chairman of the New England Healthcare Exchange Network; Co-Chair of the HIT Standards Committee; Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; and a practicing Emergency Physician.

Dr. Halamka will begin as part of the larger audience observing the ritual, which includes a series of precise hand movements and graceful choreography, in a serene "Tatami Room" within the Vital exhibit on the conference floor. Following the ceremony, Dr. Halamka will share some of his experiences with Japanese culture and health IT.

“Vital is a Toshiba Medical company, and we want to celebrate our Japanese heritage at a global tradeshow,” says Paul Markham, PhD, Vice-President of Marketing for Vital. “This event allows guests to enjoy a moment of peace at a unique ceremony. It will be a rare and special moment during the hectic pace of a major conference.”

Conference attendees can register for “The Way of Tea” here: http://www.vitalimages.com/himss-2017/.

About Vital Images, Inc.
Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical Systems Group company, is a leading provider of diagnostic imaging and enterprise informatics solutions to help healthcare organizations deliver exceptional care while optimizing resources across multi-facility organizations. The company's solutions are scalable to meet the unique needs of hospitals and imaging centers and are accessible throughout the enterprise anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit www.vitalimages.com or join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

AT VITAL IMAGES:		
Paul Markham
[email protected]
vitalimages.com