News
Organization adopts improved login security to help protect institutional, personal data
The university is taking steps to improve the security of institutional data and systems, and even personal data, by expanding the use of Duo two-factor authentication.
Information Assurance: Michigan Medicine announces launch of Michigan Healthcare Security Operations Center
Information Assurance: Michigan Medicine is proud to be among the first in the nation working with four other healthcare organizations to continuously monitor and improve cybersecurity.
SurveyMonkey Apply comes to Michigan Medicine
SurveyMonkey Apply allows users to more easily manage the application collection and review process.
Extortion emails increasing at U-M
Across higher ed, including the U-M community, there are increasing reports of extortion scam emails akin to ones from this summer. These scam emails usually claim that the recipient viewed pornography and demand payment (often via crypto-currency like Bitcoin) to keep this from becoming public.
HITS improves how MiChart displays on Windows 10 CoreImage laptops
HITS continues to work on adapting the screen resolution on new laptop monitors so that MiChart and other applications display properly.
Making a Difference: August 2018 Highlights
Darlene Gerick, facilities coordinator/manager, was recognized for her work coordinating a major move for many HITS staff members.
Meet your Michigan Medicine MVPs
Congratulations to Shannon Buycks, telecommunications supervisor, and Kevin Weiss, application coordinator, for their nominations! Thank you for being superstars!
Microsoft patch for Windows vulnerability now available
Microsoft has released a patch for a zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Windows task scheduler. Please apply the patch as soon as possible, after appropriate testing.
HITS publishes 2017-18 Year in Review
This month marks two years since Health Information Technology & Services formed. To celebrate its anniversary, HITS published a Year in Review, which highlights the organization’s major accomplishments, measures the breadth and impact of Health IT, and introduces inspiring staff who play a key role in advancing the mission of Michigan Medicine through technology.
Introducing Michigan Research Experts: Find collaborators and funding
In support of the newly improved Michigan Research Experts, several HITS teams worked for months with the Office of Research (OoR) and a new vendor. HITS lent its expertise in the integration of thirteen databases to create a more powerful experience for researchers. On a day-to-day basis, HITS monitors the back-end functionality, and is continuing work with the OoR on future enhancements.
Windows 10 coming soon for Windows-based CoreImage PCs
HITS is working closely with the various research divisions within Michigan Medicine to get all Windows-based devices upgraded to Windows 10 by the end of calendar year 2019. This will ensure that our computing environment will remain current and supported, with all the updates and security patches necessary.
Device rationalization is underway
Many faculty and staff may already be aware of the device rationalization mandate in progress — a request from Michigan Medicine’s executive vice president for medical affairs to identify a minimum five percent reduction in the number of “CoreImage” general compute devices (desktops and laptops) used within the organization.
HITS “Help Me Now” walk-in centers to close at 12 noon on Friday, September 14
All three Health Information Technology & Services (HITS) “Help Me Now” walk-in centers will close at 12 noon on Friday, September 14 for a staff recognition event – and will reopen, as usual, at 8 a.m. on Monday, September 17.
If you need assistance during this period, you can reach HITS as follows:
Click: Online customer service portal
Call: HITS Service Desk, 24/7, at 734-936-8000
Phishing mitigation: Microsoft Exchange change coming to better identify external emails
Due to an increased number of phishing attempts at Michigan Medicine and health systems across the nation, Microsoft Exchange will be configured to better identify emails that originate outside of U-M when they include an attachment or web link. This will help to better identify valid internal emails vs. fraudulent emails that appear to be sent from an internal source.
A bright start: Brighton Center for Specialty Care now open
HITS staff had an integral role in opening Michigan Medicine's newest health center. The state-of-the-art facility provides patients with the same high level of care they have come to expect in Ann Arbor, but closer to where they live in Livingston County.
Virtual visits provide patients with care from the comfort of their homes
This wasn’t how Terri wanted to spend her weekend.
It was Friday night when she first started noticing signs of a urinary tract infection. She had a busy schedule, and now this recurring condition was threatening to derail her plans. Hoping for quick relief, Terri signed into MyUofMHealth.org and initiated an eVisit by answering a series of questions about her symptoms, similar to those she would be asked during an office visit.
ITS v. HITS Backpack Challenge has its winner: the kids!
A friendly challenge ITS issued to HITS this summer became a huge win for local school children! The goal was donate 100 backpacks filled with school supplies. The challenge results far exceeded the goal, resulting in 160 fully loaded backpacks for local grade and middle school students.
Researchpalooza 2018
Researchpalooza was the largest-ever! More than 4,000 faculty and staff perused 91 different offices and labs that serve biomedical research across campus.
Did you know? The Device Governance Workgroup is managing our hardware fleet
The Device Governance Workgroup is a team of dedicated clinical, research and administrative leaders who meet monthly to assess hardware funding requests, explore device replacement and depreciation policy, and evaluate the most efficient and cost-effective ways to manage device inventory throughout the enterprise.
Michigan Medicine hospitals ranked No. 5 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
Michigan Medicine’s adult hospitals were ranked No. 5 in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” rankings for 2018-19, an honor that measures excellence in patient care.
ALERT: Update Oracle Database for critical vulnerability
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in Oracle Database that could allow for complete compromise of the database, as well as shell access to the underlying server.
Information Assurance and Oracle recommend that HITS and IT Staff update Oracle Database or disable Oracle JVM as soon as possible.
General computer users do not need to do anything to address this vulnerability.
The most overrated IT trend? 'Blockchain,' says Michigan Medicine CIO
Becker's Healthcare recently interviewed Andrew Rosenberg, MD, Michigan Medicine CIO and associate professor of anesthesiology and internal medicine.
Virtual visits provide patients with care from the comfort of their homes
This wasn’t how Terri wanted to spend her weekend.
It was Friday night when she first started noticing signs of a urinary tract infection. She had a busy schedule, and now this recurring condition was threatening to derail her plans. Hoping for quick relief, Terri signed into MyUofMHealth.org and initiated an eVisit by answering a series of questions about her symptoms, similar to those she would be asked during an office visit.
Michigan Medicine honored as one of America's best employers
Congratulations to Michigan Medicine, which was recently named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes! Forbes compiled the list in collaboration with analytics firm Statista, based on an independent survey of more than 30,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people.
Increase in ‘tech support scams’ impacting Michigan Medicine users
Please be aware that there has been an uptick in online scams in recent months. All faculty and staff should learn where to find the latest news and what you can do to protect yourself at home and at Michigan Medicine.