What is SHS?

The Society for Health Systems (SHS) is a society of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), a professional association that serves the professional needs of industrial engineers throughout the world.

The society's mission is to improve lives through better health and care delivery systems around the world.  The society’s vision is to promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, strategic and systems thinking in health care. The three strategic priorities are: Include, Connect and Transform. 

Among the society's strategic priorities, there is a focus to grow membership by extending value through meaningful SHS member interactions (Engagement); to support the personal growth of SHS members through education, networking, experiences, and collaboration (Development); and to create a consistent identity for the improvement professional that is recognized within the healthcare industry (Branding). SHS encourages the exchange of ideas and innovative techniques among healthcare professionals through a variety of mediums.

Founded in 1948, IISE is dedicated to serving the professional needs of industrial engineers and all individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. IISE's 14,000 members throughout North America and in more than 90 countries stay on the cutting edge of their profession through IISE's lifelong learning approach, which includes educational opportunities, publications and networking opportunities. Members also gain valuable leadership experience and enjoy peer recognition through numerous volunteer opportunities.

IISE offers conferences, publications and leadership opportunities for all industrial engineers in a variety of specialties including manufacturing, services, facilities planning, utilities, operations research, logistics and many more. As a society of IISE, SHS concentrates on meeting the professional needs of management engineers in the healthcare industry.

Because of the relationship between IISE and SHS, the leaders of both groups are committed to working together to develop products and services for SHS members. IISE's primary goals are to support and promote the ISE profession and serve the professional needs of individual members. SHS leaders are charged with ensuring SHS contributes to those goals for those members in healthcare.

Members of SHS are encouraged to contribute to the efforts society through by becoming involved in SHS projects. To learn about volunteer opportunities and to volunteer, contact any member of the SHS Board of Directors or Kathy Gamboa the SHS/IISE staff liaison.