The medical librarian as chief information officer

The position of chief information officer (CIO) is gaining popularity, especially in the health care field. The results of an informal electronic and telephone survey indicate that few medical librarians have made a career move to CIO even though this might seem like a logical step. This paper examines the qualities required of an effective information management executive, the role CIOs play within organizations, and the career advancement strategies for librarians interested in becoming CIOs. Questionnaire responses are reported from three medical librarians who have made the transition to CIO-type positions, and a case study illustrates the responsibilities of CIOs in health care organizations.