Associate Professor Dorothy O’Hagan serves as the Program Director for the Master of Science in Health Care Informatics and Nursing Informatics programs at USD. Professor O’Hagan previously served as the Senior Director of Clinical and Health Information Systems at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego (RCHSD) and has more than 30 years of experience leading and managing successful healthcare projects and teams. In her years at RCHSD, Professor O’Hagan served in many roles including Coding Manager, Cancer Registrar, Hospital Billing and Collections Manager, EMR Systems Analyst, Director of Health Information, and Interoperability and Documentation Excellence.
Professor O’Hagan served as an elected member of Epic’s Electronic Medical Record International Care Everywhere Governance Council from 2013 to 2016 and has been an advocate and champion for patient identity-matching to allow for seamless electronic health information exchange.
Professor O’Hagan serves as a mentor and teacher to the next generation of Health Information and Informatics professionals through adjunct faculty roles in the San Diego area including the Master of Science in Health Care Informatics program at USD’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. Professor O’Hagan’s graduate coursework in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from USD complements her background in health care by giving her experience in Board Leadership and Governance. Through her graduate coursework, Professor O’Hagan has provided consulting services for organizations such as The United Way of San Diego.
Do you have any particular areas of interest/specialization related to health care informatics?
I am passionate about healthcare informatics and my goal is to advance healthcare technology in ways that improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. I have spent my career leading teams in clinical applications, interoperability, health information management, privacy and security. I thrive on optimizing clinical workflows and ensuring that health systems integrate seamlessly. Protecting patient information and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards are at the heart of my work.
What motivated your interest in serving on the advisory board for the MS-HCI program? What are you hoping to contribute?
As the program director for the MS-HCI program, I am dedicated to ensuring our program remains relevant and strategically focused for our students. My goal is to keep our curriculum and initiatives aligned with the latest advancements in healthcare informatics, preparing our students to excel in this dynamic field.
What advice do you have for anyone interested in advancing their career in health care informatics?
For those looking to advance their career in healthcare informatics, I recommend focusing on a few key areas:
Continuous Learning: Healthcare informatics is a rapidly evolving field. Stay updated with the latest technologies, standards, and best practices through courses, certifications, and attending industry conferences.
Develop Technical and Analytical Skills: Proficiency in data analytics, understanding of EHR systems, and knowledge of interoperability standards are crucial. Skills in data management can also be highly beneficial.
Gain Practical Experience: Hands-on experience through internships, projects, or roles in healthcare settings will give you invaluable insights into real-world challenges and solutions.
Network and Collaborate: Join professional organizations, attend seminars, and connect with peers and mentors in the field. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and provide support and guidance.
Focus on Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Healthcare informatics sits at the intersection of healthcare, IT, and data science. A solid understanding of clinical workflows, patient care, and regulatory environments, combined with technical expertise, will make you a well-rounded professional.
Prioritize Patient-Centered Solutions: Always keep in mind that the ultimate goal of healthcare informatics is to improve patient outcomes. Solutions that enhance patient care, safety, and satisfaction will always be in demand.