For those of you who were not at MUSE 2026, (as anyone who was there was certainly made aware that I was !)
I had the privilege to present at MUSE this year as part of the International Education Exchange (IEE) contest, where the winner at
the Meditech User Network (MUN) in Ireland and the UK travels to MUSE to present. (the exchange part being the winner from MUSE attends MUN)
I was not sure what to expect on attending but what I got first and foremost was a lovely welcome.
It sounds a little contrived but it truly is a community where so many people know one another and look forward to meeting up each year.
As someone who had never been I was made to feel welcome, more than welcome but a part of that community, who just hadn’t had a chance to be there before.
It was good to hear that we are all in the ‘same boat’ (called MEDITECH) on each side of the Atlantic!
The same challenges are being experienced, and it was encouraging to hear solutions to some of these challenges.
Lessons learnt also took a large portion of the content, where the aim was to ensure other organisations do not have to reinvent the wheel, but we can learn as one.
Lots of questions were also posed and while not all were answered the conversation continues after the conference.
This year the conference was based in Chicago, a city I had not visited before but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Highlights were a night lake and river boat trip, cycling in Lincoln Park and I even managed a swim in the lake !
From the IEE point of view, I would urge anyone who is thinking of presenting a MUSE to do so, not only to provide colleagues with valuable insight but also to
be in with a chance to win the trip to MUN. Generally based in Liverpool in the UK which is definitely worth the trip, though smaller it is a similar experience
and will allow the opportunity to connect to a whole new network as I have done in MUSE.
Thank you to Alan and team for hosting me and well done on a very successful conference
Slainte
Cliona Byrne
Group IT Programme Director
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Bon Secours Health System, Ireland