FARMINGTON — The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s New England Chapter named Ralph Johnson, chief information officer at Franklin Community Health Network, as the New England HIMSS CIO of the Year. The honor came at its annual holiday social and awards event on Dec. 13 in West Newton, Mass.

Johnson has worked in the health care information technology field for 28 years, most of that time in leadership positions at Maine hospitals. He is a volunteer adviser for HealthInfoNet and serves as a board member with the ConnectME Authority, advancing the adoption of broadband technology in rural areas of Maine.

At FCHN and at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Johnson has led major IT initiatives to improve patient safety. He is a certified health care CIO from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the first health system CIO in Maine to earn the designation.