I would like to congratulate the iMedExchange team members driving the VitalSigns family of tools aimed at helping physicians get and stay plugged into the critical healthcare policy/reform efforts underway at the federal, state and even local levels.

Rob Coppedge is steering the VitalSigns efforts as its Executive Editor with significant contribution from Charlotte Graeber. Rob and Charlotte both have roots in Nashville, one of the central healthcare hubs in the United States, so it was only appropriate that Rob launch VitalSigns formally in Nashville this week.

I can't implore physicians strongly enough to get connected to the change underfoot. The healthcare industry, and specifically the practice environment, have the potential to change more in the next 12 months than in the last 50 years. VitalSigns isn't designed to give you access to information that's useful for cocktail party conversation. Nor is it yet another echo chamber of conversation with colleagues.

It's a series of tools to help very busy professionals stay on top of the practical elements of policy. It's intelligent conversation amongst colleagues with experts and leaders like Senator Tom Coburn, MD added to the mix. It's highlights of groups you may want to get plugged into like Docs4PatientCare. And it's tools that will allow the collective voice of physicians be heard at the highest levels of the debate...some things we are introducing today and others will follow in the coming days and weeks.

iMedExchange is built to serve physicians. VitalSigns is a quintessential example of who we are and what we do. Take two easy steps now:

1. Join iMedExchange and take advantage of the VitalSigns Resource Center on a regular basis.
2. Subscribe to the VitalSigns blog and get daily and weekly updates you need to have on your radar.