What majors and minors are offered?

The program offers a major in Health Informatics and Information Management and a minor in Health Informatics and Information Management. The major degree is a B.S. degree.

What are the admission requirements for the program?

How should I prepare for a Health Informatics and Information Management degree?

If you are interested in the Health Informatics and Information Management field, visit physician offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings and interview the Director of Health Information services.  Check out http://www.ahima.org for more information. Another great site is http://www.hicareers.com.

How does the program work around my busy schedule?

One of the biggest advantages of the program is that students receive individualized attention regarding classes and schedules.  The program is available for either full-time or part-time students.  The professional classes can be taken in an online environment.  Many of the general studies are also available online.

Is the program accredited?

The B.S. degree is not yet accredited, although the process to obtain accreditation has started.  It is anticipated that the program will be accredited by the end of 2013. The AAS degree in Health Information Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).  It will continue to maintain its accreditation status until all of the current students have finished the program.   http://www.cahiim.org

Why is it important that a program be accredited?

National accreditation is one way to ensure the quality of the program you choose. The organizations providing accreditation ensure the program meets certain standards of quality.  The certification exams (RHIT and RHIA) can only be taken by graduates of a program accredited by CAHIIM.

How do students work together with faculty?

Students and faculty members work together in many ways, for example, planning activities for National Health Information and Technology week.  Students also serve on an advisory committee to help evaluate curriculum and make suggestions for program changes.

The program coordinator also works closely with students to determine the best sites to complete their professional practice experiences.

What type of awards have your faculty received?

Marsha Dolan, the program coordinator was awarded the Missouri Health Information Management Association (MHIMA) Outstanding Educator award in 2000 and 2007.  Other awards include: 2007 ACE (Action Community for e-HIM Excellence) Community Member, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA); Missouri Western State University Board of Governors 2008 Distinguished Professor award with distinction in teaching; 2008 Outstanding Community Education Coordinator award by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA); 2009 MHIMA Outstanding Volunteer and Fellow of AHIMA; and 2010 Community Outreach Triumph Award by AHIMA.

Patrice Spath, instructor for Quality Management: 1998: Winner of the Legacy Award Winner from the American Health Information Management Association for significant contributions to the knowledge base on the health information management field through articles, chapters, books, and presentations to AHIMA members.

2001: Winner of the Excellence in Publication Award from the National Association for Healthcare Quality.

2006: Winner of the James A. Hamilton Book of the Year Award for her book, Leading Your Health Care Organization to Excellence (Health Administration Press, 2005). The Hamilton Award is given annually to the author of a management or healthcare book judged outstanding by the American College of Healthcare Executive’s Book of the Year Committee.

Julie Wolter, instructor for Computers in Healthcare:2010, Recognized as one of the YWCA’s Leader of the year – representing Saint Louis University Women’s Commission; AHIMA Triumph Award – Consumer Outreach;              Named to the 10 Ten HIM Professionals for 2010 by Advance for Health Information Professionals.

2009 Awarded Distinguished Member for the Missouri Health Information Management Association (MHIMA);

2008 Awarded Fellow status for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA);

2007 ACE (Action Community for e-HIM Excellence) Community Member, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA); Outstanding CoP (Communities of Practice) Facilitator (Personal Health Record CoP);2006 Outstanding PHR (personal health record) Campaign Coordinator, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA); 2005 Outstanding MHIMA Volunteer, Missouri Health Information Management Association; and 2002 Outstanding MHIMA Educator, Missouri Health Information Management Association

What special facilities does the HIT program have?

The computer lab of the HIT program has many pieces of specialized software.  The program also uses the AHIMA Virtual Lab to help students integrate their learning regarding electronic health records.