The Importance of IT in Healthcare
The Importance of IT in Healthcare
IT Professionals Day is celebrated every third Tuesday in September. This day recognizes the hard work of technical experts who ensure our systems run smoothly and efficiently. Information technology (IT) is crucial in healthcare; from protecting private health data to powering surgical robotic systems, technology continues to advance the care SIH provides to Southern Illinois.
SIH is grateful for our dedicated IT teams and their hard work every day. Read more about the career paths and insight of six IT professionals at SIH.
What inspired you to pursue a career in IT?
“I enjoyed working with Epic as an end-user and wanted to learn more about the functionality and possibilities of it. When I became a super-user in the system, I realized there is so much more to Epic than the pieces I used in my current role. So when the opportunity arose to join the Epic IT team, I pursued it.”
- SIH Healthcare Informatics Training Analyst III Kacie Tanner
What advice would you give to someone just starting in IT today?
“In technology, the world is yours. You have many opportunities for personal and professional growth throughout a career in IT. Be flexible and understand that there is a continuous change cycle in both technology and healthcare. As an IT professional, you will be faced with many projects and deadlines. You must be able to multitask, stay organized and prepare for changes in the future.”
- SIH Electronic Health Records (EHR) Applications Analyst IV Angie Bowen
How do you stay current with the fast-paced changes in technology?
“IT is an ever-changing field that offers challenges to fix problems and one that will always continue to evolve. Follow news stories and take courses online or in person to gain knowledge. Listening to simple things such as podcasts is a good way to stay updated. Obtaining certifications is another way to stay current with mainstream technology and help you focus on areas that suit your interest.”
- SIH Cyber Security Engineer II Joshua Hilton
What’s a common misconception people have about IT professionals or your work?
“Many people think IT staff who are remote work alone, but we consistently work as a team using virtual meeting tools and messaging options more often than working by ourselves. It’s been great to be able to reach out directly to a team member for collaboration or to share ideas quickly. The virtual tools we have keep us working together and have increased our teamwork. I always feel very connected to my coworkers.”
- SIH Healthcare Informatics Training Analyst III Kacie Tanner
How does IT contribute to the safety and security of private health information (PHI)?
“IT maintains all security policies and software systems that protect private health information. In addition to holding regular training sessions for SIH staff, IT distributes simulated phishing emails to all employees. Everyone frequently receives reminders on how to recognize phishing attempts. Staff are instructed to report these emails; if they open one, they must complete a training course on data security. This makes it more difficult for our system to be compromised and prevents the acquisition of patient data.”
- SIH Electronic Health Records (EHR) Applications Analyst III Missy Lenzo
What do you enjoy most about working in your specific role within IT?
“I enjoy digging deep into an issue that is troubling a customer and finding a resolution to assist them.”
- SIH ITS Service Desk Specialist IV Lesa Brown
What accomplishment in your IT career are you most proud of?
“We recently had an issue causing a great deal of frustration for a physician and dissatisfaction for the patients. Along with Epic advisors and members of different Epic applications, I troubleshooted this issue for several days. After many hours of testing, we found what was causing the problem and implemented a fix. This relieved frustrations for patients and physicians, allowing them to focus on their care journey.”
- SIH Electronic Health Records (EHR) Applications Analyst II Paula Dame