Student Spotlight: Toho Soma, Health Informatics Program

Toho Soma Toho Soma is the Interim Director and Senior Research Associate in the Center for Excellence in Health Innovation at UNE. He is also the supervisor of a team of evaluators in the Center. Although he is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Health Informatics, his background is in public health. For ten years prior to coming to UNE, he worked within the City of Portland’s Public Health Division, the last two of which he was the Director of Public Health. Here, he talks about what motivated him to earn his master’s in health informatics, his experience in the program, and some words of wisdom for students considering this online graduate degree path. What encouraged you to pursue your master’s … Read more >>
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7 Examples of Health Informatics Coming in the Near Future

MRI Resonance Imaging is one of our examples of health informatics coming in the near future Health informatics, which is the intersection of people, technology, and data to improve the safety and quality of patient care, can be found in many forms. A few examples include patient portals, electronic medical records (EMRs), telehealth, healthcare apps, and a variety of data reporting tools. But what comes next? We assembled a list of seven examples of health informatics technologies or advances that are either being explored or improved in the field right now. Learn more about a career in health informatics with our infographic 1. Voice Dictation Now that healthcare organizations have moved their medical records to digital systems, health informaticists are diving into the possibilities of improving artificial intelligence voice recognition to digitally transcribe healthcare providers’ notes… Read more >>
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4 Major Health Information Technology Benefits

It’s strange to imagine life before we had access to the world’s repositories of knowledge in a slim metallic device that fits in our pockets. Technology has surged through our lives and our society, propelling us into an unexpected yet exciting future. One of the most significant advances in information technology is the widespread adoption of the electronic health record in American healthcare organizations. While implementation has not been perfect, there are several notable benefits that come from the transformation of health information technology: 1. More health data, plus an improved ability to analyze and apply that data As our white paper explains further, healthcare data is accumulating faster than ever before. EHRs were created in part to address and… Read more >>
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Analysis of a Health Informatics Job Description

Illustration of man with many arms pointing to various electronics to depict a Health Informatics Job Description One of the most fascinating aspects of health informatics is its versatility. Professionals from many backgrounds—healthcare, computer science, insurance, pharmacy, business, and more—have found their niche within the field. The duties on a day-to-day basis can vary from handling support tickets to holding training sessions to meeting with healthcare professionals and beyond. Still, you may wonder if your talents and skills are the right fit for the job. To provide a clearer picture of the health informatics field, we combined a number of informatics-related job descriptions so that we could go through the major responsibilities and daily duties with you point-by-point. Please note that the health informatics job description below is a simplified amalgamation from a number of advertised related… Read more >>
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Webinar: A Day in the Life of Health Informatics

A Day in the Life: Health Informatics Webinar featuring the title and three circle-cropped images of the presenters Are you curious about health informatics, but want to know more about what your day-to-day workload, life, and environment might look like? You’re in luck! In our webinar, which live-streamed Thursday, April 25th, UNE Online Health Informatics alumni Irene Chen (of Harvard Children’s hospital) and Michele Marshall (of medical technology company BD) each gave a walk-through of their typical day at work, highlighted successful projects, and compared and contrasted responsibilities in their respective workplace settings. Watch the Webinar With former Program Director Megan Landry as moderator, these experts also recalled their graduate school journey with UNE Online, including which Health Informatics courses had the biggest impact on their working lives. Viewers submitted questions which were answered during the final Q&A… Read more >>
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Policy - An Interprofessional Approach

A series of illustrated, intertwined gears to depict how How our online, interprofessional public policy course works Have you ever wondered what people mean when they talk about policy? What is it? Who needs it? How does it work? Why should I care about it? UNE Online’s new public policy course, Policy: An Interprofessional Approach (GPH 702) is a great way to find out answers to these questions. You will work with students from other disciplines to better understand how policy impacts individuals, communities and populations and the importance of cross-sector collaboration and partnerships. What is Policy? Public policy refers to any federal, state, or local government action that influences individual or agency behavior. It can be laws, executive orders, regulations, ordinances, court rulings, appropriations, or board and committee decisions. Government decision-making impacts all of us personally… Read more >>
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UNE Online Joins Champions of Health at HIMSS 2019

Title card for HIMSS 2019 Conference with purple, blue, and white text The HIMSS 2019 Global Conference & Exhibition brings together 45,000+ health information and technology professionals, clinicians, executives and vendors from around the world. Exceptional education, excellent speakers, cutting-edge health information and technology products, and powerful networking are hallmarks of this industry-leading conference. Starting Monday, February 11th, HIMSS 2019 will bring together the brightest industry minds to share current and future developments shaping the health technology landscape. For five days, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers, executives, and industry professionals. As a HIMSS Approved Education Partner, UNE Online takes pride in our involvement with the global organization and this annual event. Will you be attending HIMSS 2019? Explore some of the Conference & Exhibition topics that the… Read more >>
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New England HIMSS 2018 Maine Conference Hosted by UNE Online

2018 New England HIMSS Conference UNE Online is proud to host the 2018 Maine Conference, presented by the New England Chapter of HIMSS this November. Reserve My Ticket About HIMSS, New England Chapter The New England Chapter of HIMSS is proud to have one of the largest regional membership bases with participants representing all six New England states. As of June 2018, this chapter welcomed 3,325 members. Chief among the missions the chapter is pursuing is to foster professional growth, relationships, knowledge, and collaboration among healthcare information management professionals throughout the New England territory. Additionally, the organization is committed towards developing educational programs, networking opportunities and provider/patient events like the 2018 Maine Conference to meet the ever-changing interests of its chapter members. National Vision, Local… Read more >>
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Health Informatics Focus Areas - One Year Later

Students in Library studying their Health informatics focus areas In October 2017, the Health Informatics graduate programs at UNE Online introduced three new focus areas to give students the opportunity to shape their electives around individual career goals. Restructuring the graduate programs gave students the capability to specialize in one professional area of health informatics, ensuring a valuable return on investment. How are these focus areas helping students find career success one year later? Focus Areas Designed to Meet Employer Needs Health informatics continues to be one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 20% job growth for health information professionals by 2026. The UNE Online focus areas were developed with this growth in mind, and aimed to provide students with… Read more >>
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Student Spotlight: Ruthie Pearlman, Master of Science in Health Informatics

Ruthie Pearlman, Master of Science in Health Informatics Program Ruthie Pearlman is a second-year student in the Master of Science in Health Informatics program. Here she tells us about her experience in the program, her vision for integrating seamless patient experiences with mobile health technology, and her advice for incoming students. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, and what encouraged you to pursue your Master’s in Health Informatics? I graduated in ‘99, lived in Israel for a while, got married, had kids, and worked as an office manager for a nurse midwife for about ten years. When we decided to move to Maine, I took the opportunity to explore different types of jobs that would more closely fit my career aspirations. When I looked into… Read more >>
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Benefits of Complimentary HIMSS Membership for Students & How to Join

Doctor displaying the process for a student to sign up for their HIMSS Membership As a HIMSS Organizational Affiliate, the University of New England proudly offers students complimentary membership to the global Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) organization. Moreover, as a  HIMSS Approved Education Partner (AEP), students have the opportunity to learn curriculum that has met the rigorous academic standards set by HIMSS. As a member of this exclusive group, UNE prepares students for advanced knowledge in health information and technology. Moreover, through HIMSS’s Organizational Affiliate program, UNE Online can offer staff and students a plethora of resources they can use to succeed at their jobs and in the industry. This partnership enables UNE Online students to get hands-on experience, network, and even contribute to the industry while they’re completing their… Read more >>
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Health Informatics Practicum Overview

Health Informatics Practicum Experience The Master of Science in Health Informatics is a master’s degree that can be completed 100% online in six semesters, or two full years, assuming a student takes two courses per semester. Students enrolled in this program complete ten required courses, two elective courses, and a field practicum experience. We spoke to Nan Solomons, the field practicum coordinator for the Graduate Programs in Health Informatics, about the Health Informatics practicum experience. What is the field practicum experience? At UNE Online, the field practicum experience is made up of two 16-week courses taken concurrently. The two courses that make up this experience are Health Informatics Capstone (HIN 740) and Cumulative Experience in Health Informatics (HIN 745). Course descriptions Health Informatics… Read more >>
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Top Health Technology Trends & Insights

Graphic with rising arrow to depict emerging health information technology As we entered the second half of 2018, our Graduate Programs in Health Informatics weighed in on the major trends we can look forward to seeing in healthcare. The landscape of the industry changes regularly, but some prominent tech improvements continue to stand out. The following three emerging health information technology examples are advancing healthcare’s mission of delivering more efficient and effective care, and ensuring that patient service and security remain the focus in that pursuit. 1. Telemedicine Mobile health continues to lead the fight towards improving patient engagement and experience. Although this strategy and practice has existed within healthcare in past years, telemedicine is currently making its biggest impact yet. As access to healthcare is becoming more limited… Read more >>
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Top 5 Health Informatics Jobs on the Rise

Health Informatics Jobs in Action Is Health Informatics a Good Career Choice? As healthcare systems look to capitalize on big data and its endless applications, health informatics jobs have become increasingly vital. Consequently, as the health informatics field continues to accelerate, more higher education programs are emerging to meet the demand. According to the World & U.S. News Report on Online Health Informatics Master’s Degrees, “obtaining a graduate degree in the health informatics field widens your opportunity for career advancement and strengthens your competitive edge,” making health informatics a good career choice for those interested in being ahead of the curve. The Demand for Health Informatics Professionals Driven by the pursuit of improving healthcare delivery and quality, providers have begun looking for secure and… Read more >>
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Ambassador Spotlight: Janet Quiring – Health Informatics Program

Student Spotlight Janet Quiring Health Informatics program Janet Quiring is a student in the Master of Science in Health Informatics program here at UNE Online. We spoke with her recently about her thoughts on the program, how she leveraged her strengths to find her practicum placement, and what aspects of real-life cybersecurity her practicum is exposing her to. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, and what encouraged you to pursue your Master’s in Health Informatics? I’ve had a career in the pharmaceutical industry for many years now. The industry is great, and I’ve enjoyed it, but at some point, you step back and look at how the market is changing. I’ve seen the whole dynamic of medicine shift, and I felt that I… Read more >>
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American Tech Giants Enter the Race to Improve Healthcare

Illustration of a doctor pointing to a clipboard with several logos around his head such as Amazon, Google, and Apple to depict healthcare tech The United States spends more than $3 trillion annually on health care, making it the fifth largest industry in the country. In 2017, ten of the largest American tech giants entered the healthcare race and became involved in health care equity deals valued at more than $2.7 billion, up 90% since 2012. As technology begins to shape the future of healthcare, the demand for health professionals such as those well-versed in health informatics continues to climb. The Stunning Growth of Tech in Healthcare In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law. This bill provided economic stimulus in areas like tax relief, social welfare provisions, and unemployment benefits. Included in this $787 billion legislation, 20% was… Read more >>
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Infographic: What is Health Informatics?

An infographic that explains the Master in Health Informatics program and how it combines healthcare and health technology Learn more about the field that intersects healthcare and health technology to empower people to lead healthier lives. The Master of Science in Health Informatics degree at UNE Online centers its approach around the student experience and how each student experiences education. We pioneer our programs to be innovative through technology, focused on three specific areas of study, and aligned to produce career-ready professionals to lead in healthcare. As demand for experts in this field continues to rise, UNE Online works hard to ensure that you are ready to join the field and complete the program in two years or fewer. Read below about all the ways UNE Online’s competitive design and structure can suit your personal goals and needs.… Read more >>
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Faculty Spotlight: Liz Zampino, Health Informatics program

Elizabeth Zampino Liz Zampino is an adjunct faculty member at UNE Online in the Health Informatics program and is long-time professional in the world of health informatics, focusing on mobile health application design and adoption. Recently we spoke with Liz about her background as a Health Informatics professional, and her experience at UNE Online. Can you tell me a little about your background and how you got into the field of health informatics? I have a background in IT, and so it was a natural progression for me to go into clinical informatics. I was inspired to change my career path In 2004 when I was hospitalized for a few months due to a rare chronic disease. My time in the hospital… Read more >>
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Health Informatics Trends – with Liz Zampino

top health informatics trends Liz Zampino is not only an adjunct faculty member at UNE Online in the Health Informatics program – she is also a long-time professional in the world of health informatics in the realm of mobile health application design and adoption. Last year she led a #HITedu Twitter Chat on behalf of UNE Online, on the topic ‘Engaging Patients in Mobile Health Design.’ We sat down with Liz recently to get her take on the top health informatics trends from the largest Health Informatics conference, HIMSS. You first went to HIMSS ten years ago when it was a fledgling event. How has it changed? Ten years ago, a great deal of the trade show floor was taken up… Read more >>
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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Joseph Walton, PharmD, MS, BCPS – Health Informatics

Dr. Joseph Walton Dr. Joseph Walton is a faculty member in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies in the Health Informatics program, and has some fascinating projects going on in his professional career. We spoke with Dr. Walton recently about his work in the field of Health Informatics, and how he creates a sense of community among his online students. Can you tell me a little bit about your background and what drew you to teaching at UNE Online? I have been in the Pharmacy Informatics field for about five years now. I graduated from pharmacy school with a dual degree, earning both a Pharm.D. and a Master’s in Science and Technology Management. Throughout my education, I was able to incorporate a… Read more >>
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Health Informatics: New Focus Areas!

Health Informatics at UNE Online, new focus areas The Health Informatics program at UNE Online offers two options – a 36 credit-hour Master of Science in Health Informatics program that can be completed in as little as two years, and a Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics that can be completed in just one year. Both programs are 100% online, with no campus visits required, and no GRE required. Very recently, we introduced three new optional focus areas for the Health Informatics program. Health Informatics: a stackable course plan The Health Informatics courses that we offer in the Master’s degree here at UNE Online are structured in an intentional way. All 12 courses required for the Master’s degree are listed below. If you were to take just classes 1–6… Read more >>
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A Day in the Life of a Clinical Analyst

Clinical Analyst Megan Landry’s health informatics career path has included emergency room nurse, Clinical Analyst, and Clinical Informatics Manager, and she was the former Program Manager for the Health Informatics programs at UNE Online. In this post, she shares her experience as Clinical Analyst working within the field of health informatics. Background and work experience When Megan Landry began her career as an emergency room nurse, she and her team used a system of paper records and clipboards to manage patient information. The clipboards were functional, but limited in their effectiveness because only one person could use the clipboard at any given time. This restricted access to patient information, reduced the amount of knowledge that was able to be shared with the… Read more >>
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Ambassador Spotlight: Steve Butka, Health Informatics Program

Steve Butka, Health Informatics Student at UNE Online Steve Butka is a student at UNE Online in the Health Informatics program. He was kind enough to answer a few questions recently about his experience as a student, the challenges, and highlights of the Health Informatics program, and some advice for incoming students. What drew you toward earning a degree in Health Informatics? I am currently working in the mental health and substance abuse field as an intake screener for both adult and children. I have been with the agency since 2008, when I finished my undergraduate degree, and have mostly worked in positions that involved direct service. I was offered a promotion to my current position in the Fall of 2016, at which point I was able to… Read more >>
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Health Informatics - Your Questions Answered

Health Informatics Questions Answered Our Enrollment Counselors field some really great questions from prospective students! In this post, we answer these health informatics-related questions. If you were to have any questions about anything at all related to UNE Online or online education in general, leave them in the comments! To enter the health informatics program, does your bachelor’s degree need to come from a specific field? No, your bachelor’s degree does not need to be in a specific area. We have people from all walks of life in our health informatics programs. We tend to have more students on the clinical side of things (doctors, nurses, physicians, and pharmacists) but we also have some students on the IT spectrum of the industry, as well… Read more >>
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