USI trustees approve new degree in Health Informatics and Information Management

At its regular meeting on November 3, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved a new degree program, a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management to be housed within USI's College of Nursing and Health Professions. The degree program will next move to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for approval.  

The new program will prepare graduates to be efficient and competent leaders in the field of health information technology. USI graduates with degrees in health informatics and information management will be ready to work in positions such as health informatics specialists, clinical informatics specialists, clinical analysts, informatics nurses and as clinical informatics managers. 

"There is a unique need for adaptable training programs as well as competencies requiring the use of health information technology to improve and coordinate care," said Dr. Gabriela Mustata Wilson, associate professor of health services. "By pursuing this program, students will acquire a versatile yet focused skill set, which will enable them to choose from a variety of work settings across an array of healthcare environments once they graduate." 

On a national level, employment of health information technicians alone is expected to grow 15 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development's Strategic Research and Development Division states, "the employment of medical records and health Information technicians is projected to grow 23 percent in Indiana, 12 percent in Illinois, and 25 percent in Kentucky."  

"This program is intentionally designed to serve the community, region and state, and fulfill the increased labor market demand for competent health IT professionals," said Wilson.  

In other business, the trustees heard a report from the Diversity Committee, authorized the renovation and expansion of the third floor of the Health Professions Center and approved candidates for master, baccalaureate and associate degrees to be conferred at USI's Fall Commencement on Saturday, December 10.