The International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI): 2020 Report

Objectives : To summarize the major activities of the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI) in the 2020 time period and to welcome its 2020 Class of Fellows. Method : Report from the members of the Academy’s Board. Results : Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, both Plenary meetings in 2020 had to be organized as virtual meetings. Scientific discussions, focusing on mobilizing computable biomedical knowledge and on data standards and interoperability formed major parts of these meetings. A statement on the use of informatics in pandemic situations was elaborated and sent to the World Health Organization. A panel on data standards and interoperability started its work. 34 Fellows were welcomed in the 2020 Class of Fellows so that the Academy now consists of 179 members. Conclusions : There was a shift from supporting to strategic activities in the Academy’s work. After having achieved organizational stability, the Academy can now focus on its strategic work and so on its main objective.