Clinch Valley Health announced that Director of Electronic Health Record and Meditech Services Tammy Phipps has been appointed to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association’s (VHHA) Cybersecurity Task Force.

The Cybersecurity Task Force was convened to develop a set of guidelines to help Virginia’s hospitals and health systems guard against attempted cyber security breaches. The guidelines are a set of precautionary standards organized around educating hospital personal about safe and responsible use of computer systems, developing and implementing a prevention plan, and establishing an incident response plan in the event of a security breach.  

“We are glad Tammy is representing Clinch Valley Health on the Task Force,” said Peter Mulkey, Chief Executive Officer of Clinch Valley Health. “Unfortunately, a reality in modern life is digital criminals are lurking online to turn use technology for nefarious purposes.  Tammy’s background and training will be an asset to safeguarding Clinch Valley Health as well as hospitals around the state against potential breaches.”

Since its inception, the Task Force has developed recommendations based on the current state of affairs. The guidelines call for employee education to inform staff members about safe and proper use of computer systems, making employees aware of common tricks used by hackers to gain system access, testing employees use of recommended safeguards, and conducting internal security reviews and test drills involving workforce responses to simulated phishing e-mails.

About Clinch Valley Health: For more than 80 years, Clinch Valley Health has been an integral part of the lives of people throughout southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. Our 175-bed acute care hospital offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services including medical and radiation oncology services, specialty care for the heart, lungs and vascular system, cardiac catheterization lab, 24-hour emergency services, physical rehabilitation, sleep studies, skilled nursing, pediatrics & obstetrics, an advanced wound care center, and advanced diagnostics. For more information, please visit ClinchValleyHealth.com.

About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is an alliance of 107 hospitals and 30 health delivery systems that develops and advocates for sound health care policy in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to achieve excellence in both health care and health. Its vision is through the power of collaboration to be recognized as a driving force behind making Virginia the healthiest state in the nation.