FAIRFIELD, CT - Sacred Heart University will introduce a new graduate program in Healthcare Information Systems during the 2012-2013 academic year. The program will target health professionals with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least two years of practical experience in the health care or information technology fields. Applicants will include those seeking to complement their clinical expertise with technology skills to pursue a career change or career advancement in ambulatory and acute care settings. Applicants may also include information technology professionals without a background in health care who seek employment and/or advancement in a health care setting.
The Master of Science in Healthcare Information Systems will prepare graduates to work in a variety of health care settings and will provide knowledge of emerging health care information technologies and policies, administrative and clinical software applications, electronic health records, research methods, communication and financial skills.
Alexis Haakonsen, executive director of Graduate Admissions, said the program will include two different introductory paths, depending on whether the applicant comes from the health care or technology industry.
Stephen C. Burrows, DPM, MBA, will assume the role of director of the new program. He comes to Sacred Heart from New Milford Hospital, where he serves as assistant director of Management of Information Systems. In that role, he has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hospital’s technology options, including clinical applications; financial suite; the data center and the help desk. He is also responsible for daily and long-term strategic purchasing. He was previously employed as manager of Health Information Technology at Qualidigm in Middletown, Conn.
“As the health care field prepares for major reforms, this new HIS program responds by developing clinical professionals’ competencies in managing and advancing patient care using new technologies while improving cost efficiencies and quality of care” said Dr. Burrows.
Dr. Burrows holds a bachelor’s degree cum laude in health and nutrition sciences from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York; a doctor of podiatric medicine degree from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine; and a master’s degree in business administration from Sacred Heart University.
Admissions requirements for the new program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above and a course in statistics. Applicants will also demonstrate a level of technical proficiency required for success in core and elective courses. A total of 36 credits is required for the program.
For more information about the MS in Healthcare Information Systems, please contact Kathy Dilks in the Office of Graduate Admissions: dilksk@sacredheart.edu or 203-396-8259.
