Master’s in Health Informatics

Q. Tell us about your background and what led you to be interested in the field of Health Informatics.
A. Technically, I was introduced to the field of Informatics while I was in physical therapy school. Our physical therapy program was located directly across the hall from the health informatics program. But it really wasn’t until I began working as a physical therapist in the hospital that I realized the potential of informatics. The more I worked, the more I saw opportunities to improve patient care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and operational procedures through the use of technology. What ultimately drew me to the field is the ability to leverage technology to help so many people.

Q. What attracted you to Hofstra University’s HIT (Healthcare Information Technology) program?
A. I was attracted to the Hofstra program because of the close ties with Northwell Health. Many of the internships were through Northwell, and with my experience in the health system it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Q. Tell us about your relevant experiences outside of the classroom. Share information about fieldwork and/or student organization experiences you took advantage of.
A. I believe that the experiences outside of the classroom were some of the most important parts of my education. I was fortunate enough to work with teachers to learn technical languages and be exposed to the practical application of informatics in my practicum experiences. These experiences allowed me to apply lessons learned in the classroom to the real world.

Q. Describe your experience working and studying with faculty in the HIT program.
A. One of the best things about the faculty was the diverse range of backgrounds that they came from. Some faculty were practicing clinicians, others IT professionals, and all were active in the field. This provided a strong foundation to learn from.

Q. What are your long term professional goals and how did the program help you reach them?
A. My goals are to continue expanding my technical and clinical skills. I believe that with technology we can greatly improve the delivery and quality of care within the United States. This program has exposed me to so many wonderful people and topics. I am excited to see where I can take this.

Q. Why would you recommend this program to others?
A. I would recommend this program to others because of the exposure to a broad range of topics that are crucial in today's work environment. Additionally, the ability to apply classroom teachings to the real world through the practicum experiences is priceless.

"I work as a pharmacist in the Northwell Health system, where I am an end user of electronic health record and pharmacy automation machines. In the Health Informatics master’s program at Hofstra, spending time with students who have expertise in other fields has broadened my understanding of how other departments work to upkeep their technology. Health informatics is a field where you can use and act upon data in real time, rather than using it as a historical occurrence to change future events. Joining this field means you can make a difference in improving patient care and outcomes. The program gives you a foundation to learn about the health informatics field as it evolves throughout the coming years, and the professors are consistently updating information about how new technology will impact health informatics moving forward.

A lot more schools are starting to get their own health informatics programs but they may be catered to one specific subset of the clinical population. People who make a difference in the health informatics field don’t have to come from a clinical background. Innovation is important, and it can come from various ways. In the Hofstra program, there are plenty of students from different backgrounds, and each person can help lead to a better group development. Leaders should learn how every piece works in their organization to understand how and where their decisions will make an impact. Other certification programs teach you how to analyze data and graph them in the simplest ways, but at Hofstra University, professors teach the most optimal way to show data to both leaders and team members.

From my previous courses with informatics certificates, there is a difference in learning from those basic introductory courses to this Master's program. The Hofstra professors can give you insight and explanations of topics that are further conducive to learning. In these classes, we are getting trained on applied informatics, not just the background and theory. We are learning how to use using multiple resources and methods to optimize the capabilities of health information technology, with the end goal of improving health care."

Q. You are a physician specializing in pediatric critical care medicine. Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree in health informatics? 
A. Over the course of time practicing medicine, I have become more involved in activities that both succeed and can be improved greatly by health informatics in general. As my involvement has grown, so has my interest in health informatics, both to improve things in which I am already involved, but also to help improve health care delivery with improved data exchange, data use/analysis, and improved delivery of useful data to clinical providers.

Q. What attracted you to Hofstra’s program?
A. As the program at Hofstra was in its infancy, I felt that I would be able to help structure a course curriculum that would most benefit my interests and knowledge base, allowing me to achieve my fullest potential in this area.

Q. Give us a brief background on your work experience, including your current position. How do you expect your graduate studies in health informatics to affect or inform your work? 
A. I am currently an attending in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care at Cohen Children's Medical Center. Many of my clinical and administrative responsibilities have components that require the use of health informatics to improve care quality, streamline auditing processes, and increase patient safety. I hope to apply principles that I learn within the program to improve aspects of these programs.

Q. Tell us about your experiences and interaction with faculty in this program. 
A. The program faculty are invested in us and in our career. They are available to speak about coursework, concerns, or just offer advice at all times.

Q. What are your long-term career goals? 
A. Over time, I hope to become increasingly involved with health informatics. I would like to streamline and improve the electronic interface that clinical providers use on a daily basis to make clinical care better, more efficient, safer, and more satisfying to both providers and patients.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is considering the MS in Health Informatics at Hofstra?
A. The Health Informatics program at Hofstra is a well-rounded course that offers students the opportunity to learn about all areas of health informatics, with enough elective options to allow students to explore their own personal interests. The faculty is engaging, invested in us, and yearn for us to be successful.

Tell us about your background and what led you to be interested in the field of Health Informatics?
With over ten years of nursing experience and twenty years of experience in technology Quality Assurance, the Health Informatics program was a perfect opportunity to utilize my experience and expand upon my knowledge.

What attracted you to Hofstra University's MS in Health Informatics program?
The program is partnered with my employer, Northwell Health, and provides a practicum which gives me exposure to the technologies and issues experienced in other areas of the organization.

Describe your experience working and studying with faculty in the department.
The faculty includes practicing medical professionals and IT experts who provided interesting and engaging lectures.

What are your long-term professional goals and how will the program help you reach them?
The program has given me new opportunities within my current organization, Northwell Health.

What is your advice for prospective students looking for a degree in health?
This program is ideal if you already work in the health field and are looking to advance your career possibilities with new credentials.

Tell us about your background and what led you to be interested in the field of Health Informatics.
I have had the opportunity to work in many diverse fields, including Finance, IT, and Healthcare. After completing my Bachelor's in Business Administration, I was offered the option to complete my Master's right away, but I wanted to wait to see what field I would be working in, and I was hoping to complete my Master's in the field. I currently work in the Healthcare field, where I have the opportunity to contribute my skills to EMR/EHR implementation, training, and end user’s support.

What attracted you to Hofstra University’s HIT program?
I chose Hofstra not only because of the partnership with the organization I work for, but also because Hofstra is highly rated and truly values diversity. And I think diversity is important in all aspects of learning. I was attracted to the Hofstra HIT program because it offers the opportunity for applied knowledge and experience in the field.

Tell us about your relevant experiences outside of the classroom. Share information about fieldwork and/or student organization experiences you took advantage of.
Despite not working in a traditional office environment during my internship, I still wanted to make the most out of the experience to prepare me for future employment after my graduation. Transitioning from working in a traditional office environment to working remotely wasn’t easy. However, work that requires analysis, research, communication, or preparation of documents can be well-suited for a remote internship. But ultimately, really any internship can work at home, as long as the person doing the internship is receiving some sort of consistent guidance and feedback. The work challenges are the same regardless of whether I’m at home or in the office, and I did not lack any support from the team and my mentor.

Describe your experience working and studying with faculty in the HIT program.
Communication was the key here. The support and knowledge shared by highly specialized professors are beyond comparison. I had a great experience working in different groups to complete assignments/projects.

What are your long-term professional goals and how did the program help you reach them?
My long-term professional goals include, but are not limited to, being a CIO of a health system, and to also be in a position where I can mentor rising stars and give back to the community in the area of teaching. It’s inspiring to see professors at Hofstra doing this.

Why would you recommend this program to others?
I would encourage students who are passionate about the Healthcare, Data Analysis, and Information Technology field to highly consider Hofstra’s HIT program. The Informatics industry is growing. The program has exposed me to a wide range of different experiences and perspectives through internships. Internships are invaluable learning experiences and are the first professional experiences in the field, which become a steppingstone to the next level of one’s career.

"My knowledge in the informatics field was through on-the-job training and I wanted to expand my knowledge and understand emerging areas. I was attracted to Hofstra’s Master’s program because it was one of the few programs that offered applied knowledge. The field requires both academic knowledge and practical application to truly understand the concepts.

I started out my career as a clinical pharmacy technician, and started getting involved in optimizing the technology used within the clinics and pharmacy workflows. Subsequently, I transitioned to informatics and worked in EMR (electronic medical record) implementations. My current role is manager of data strategy and clinical analytics, where I coordinate operational and quality reporting requirements and data reporting standards. I am also building an enterprise data warehouse. I want to create innovative technology that supports an improved health care delivery system.

The variety of backgrounds in the faculty and students enhances the hands-on learning of the program. This is a growing industry and this program provides the foundational knowledge. The more effort you put into the program, the more advanced knowledge will be obtained."

Why did you choose Hofstra's HIT program?
I am currently employed with Northwell Health and work a lot with information technology (IT). I also earned my Master’s in Health Administration (MHA) from Hofstra, which was so beneficial to me. In addition to understanding the foundations, I wanted to dive deeper into the technical side of health care. Coding and other electronic medical record projects are emerging areas of the field, and I wanted the hands-on experience. The HIT program allowed me to learn and thrive in this area.

What were some of the profound lessons learned in the HIT program?
How quickly things can change ̶ in a good way. The program is always developing because health care is always developing/changing. The program meets the needs of both students and practitioners. The professors really align our courses with the trends in the field. Telehealth introduction and the remote availability of health care are examples of things we were taught to be prepared for. The program gives students the opportunity to understand how clinicians think and how to benefit patients in the long term.

Were you able to balance the rigor of the program with your personal life?
While I was a student in the HIT program, I also worked full time as an IT project manager at Northwell Health. I was a working mom with a toddler at home, and I was pregnant at the time with my second child. It was so helpful that the program had class offerings in the evening ̶ as I was able to fulfill my work obligations, fulfill my mom obligations, and go right to class each day. The professors were so understanding of all of us who were balancing our studies, our work, and our personal lives.

What advice would you have for students thinking about studying HIT at Hofstra?
If you are someone from the health field or have an IT background, brush up on current events in health care. It will allow you to have a firm understanding of innovative developments, emerging trends, and current and/or upcoming challenges as you move on in your field or even enroll in the HIT program at Hofstra

Why did you choose Hofstra's HIT program?
I chose Health Informatics to revolutionize healthcare, and Hofstra's MS in Health Informatics offers a holistic education in advanced informatics, suitable for both technical and non-technical backgrounds. The well-designed curriculum covers essential skills and programming concepts, providing practical experience through mandatory practicums. As an international student, I've gained insights into U.S. health systems in my first semester, making it a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience.

What were some of the profound lessons learned in the HIT program?
Health Informatics combines healthcare, IT, and data management for better patient outcomes. Key lessons include integrating technology for streamlined processes, mastering data management and analysis, addressing cybersecurity challenges, staying current with emerging technologies like AI, and embracing continuous learning to keep pace with the dynamic field.

What advice would you have for students thinking about studying HIT at Hofstra?
At Hofstra, there are numerous career opportunities abound, including Career Fairs, Internships, and Mentorship programs with knowledgeable faculty. My advice to HIT students is to maximize university resources, learn from alumni, and actively participate in career-related events. Unlike other universities, Hofstra's mandatory practicum ensures practical application of learned skills in the real world.

Were you able to balance the rigor of the program with your personal life?
Certainly! Setting achievable goals and realistic deadlines kept me organized and minimized stress. I always sought support from friends, classmates, and professors if needed. Flexibility in adjusting my schedule ensured a balance between studies and personal life. Special thanks to Dr. Lindo, my mentor and teacher, for invaluable encouragement and guidance. I am grateful for the opportunities he provided in my academic journey.