Lakhasly

Let me summarize.Jana Zvarov ' a, DrSc., Director of the European Centre ' for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (EuroMISE Centre) of Charles University Prague and Czech Academy of Sciences, to be handed over during the International Joint Meeting EuroMISE 2004Ubiquitously available computing resources and networks, existing worldwide for the transmission of all varieties of data, will allow us to consider new types of information systems for health care, including new kinds of health monitoring and also new opportunities for the analysis of biomedical and health data.These transinstitutional information system architectures and infrastructures will, when appropriately designed and adequately strategically managed, provide new opportunities for the whole field of biomedical and health informatics as well as of biomedical statistics and epidemiology.Let me quote from the certificate: for her outstanding achievements in the field of Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, the executive board of UMIT has decided on January 14th, 2004, to award the University Medal of UMIT to Prof. RNDr.Twenty years after Peter Reichertz'lecture on the past, present and future of hospital information systems [1], we can recognize that institution-centered hospital information systems are developing towards regional and global health information systems, with new, strongly extended functionalities and tasks.And let us keep in mind that (bio-) medical informatics, health informatics, as well as statistics and epidemiology are aiming not for more technology, but for more and better care, a care that is affordable in aging societies.It is the initiator of the European Centre for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Professor Jana Zvarova.Twenty years after Peter Reichertz talk, we may redefine the aim of health information systems as to contribute to a highquality, efficient health care, now for patients and consumers and for medical research.

Let me summarize. Modern information processing
methodology and information and communication
technology has strongly influenced our societies,
including their health care. Twenty years after
Peter Reichertz‘lecture on the past, present and
future of hospital information systems [1], we can
recognize that institution-centered hospital information systems are developing towards regional
and global health information systems, with new,
strongly extended functionalities and tasks.
Health information systems — past, present, future 279
As a consequence, more than ever, medical informatics is needed for an efficient development and
strategic management of these new health information systems. Having the possibility of doing
research and education in this field, or to contribute to its practice is a great opportunity and
responsibility, as it gives the chance to contribute
to the quality and efficiency of health care at a
very prominent place. Twenty years after Peter
Reichertz talk, we may redefine the aim of health
information systems as to contribute to a highquality, efficient health care, now for patients and
consumers and for medical research.
Health information systems have to be developed and explored that enhance opportunities for
global access to health services and medical knowledge. Informatics methodology and technology is
expected to facilitate continuous quality of care in
aging societies. Ubiquitously available computing
resources and networks, existing worldwide for the
transmission of all varieties of data, will allow us
to consider new types of information systems for
health care, including new kinds of health monitoring and also new opportunities for the analysis
of biomedical and health data. These transinstitutional information system architectures and
infrastructures will, when appropriately designed
and adequately strategically managed, provide
new opportunities for the whole field of biomedical
and health informatics as well as of biomedical
statistics and epidemiology. As in most areas
of the sciences, let us remember that we need
high-quality evaluation studies to learn, what we
really have achieved and what we could do better.
Last, but not least, these new opportunities for
the systematic processing of data, information and
knowledge in medicine and health care may considerably contribute to the progress of medicine and
the health sciences as well as to the progress of
informatics in general. And let us keep in mind that
(bio-) medical informatics, health informatics, as
well as statistics and epidemiology are aiming not
for more technology, but for more and better care,
a care that is affordable in aging societies. In the
end only health and the well-being of individuals is
what counts here.
Acknowledgement
This EuroMISE 2004 symposium has been organized
and initiated by many persons, but one is outstanding. It is the initiator of the European Centre
for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Professor Jana Zvarova. In her never ending
engagement, despite sometimes difficult political
and economical constraints, she was always a promoter of our field, convinced that good science and
good education in medical Informatics, statistics
and epidemiology will contribute to better health
and to the progress of the sciences. Her scientific
achievements and her achievements here at Prague
are really outstanding.
Because of this reason, the University for
Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology (UMIT) at Innsbruck, Austria, decided to honor
Professor Zvarova with its University Medal. Let
me quote from the certificate: for her outstanding
achievements in the field of Medical Informatics,
Statistics and Epidemiology, the executive board of
UMIT has decided on January 14th, 2004, to award
the University Medal of UMIT to Prof. RNDr. Jana
Zvarov ´ a, DrSc., Director of the European Centre ´
for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology
(EuroMISE Centre) of Charles University Prague and
Czech Academy of Sciences, to be handed over during the International Joint Meeting EuroMISE 2004