Healthcare Informatics Student Spotlight

Name:  Scott J. Gregory ’17
Program at Trocaire: Healthcare Informatics
High School/Year Graduated: Kenmore East, 1994
Employer: Horizon Health Services
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Year of Graduation from Trocaire: May 2017

How did you end up in Trocaire’s HCI program? I originally was enrolled as a Radiologic Technology student into my second semester when the Healthcare Informatics (HCI) program launched; I was intrigued by the course offerings and became excited when I had learned of its value, outlook, and promise. I applied and was accepted into the program in which I started the following the semester. I am a jeweler by trade, and this is a career change for me. I love this program because as an entrepreneur, I have been personally affected by the increased cost of health insurance premiums and high deductibles. This program has equipped me to become part of the solution that will affect millions of human lives in a meaningful way. HCI teaches a wide variety of methodologies that strive to decrease the cost of delivery while simultaneously improving the quality of care.

“Trocaire’s Healthcare Informatics program has equipped me to become part of the solution that will affect millions of human lives in a meaningful way. HCI teaches a wide variety of methodologies that strive to decrease the cost of delivery while simultaneously improving the quality of care.”

Why Trocaire? Trocaire College has helped me meet my educational goals–its small class size and personal attention has made a difference in my learning experience. Many of the instructors are also working in the areas they teach, which offers real world experience that goes beyond the books and adds extra value to the students attending. Faculty and staff are very accessible and always eager to help–whenever I have needed assistance, I have been very happy with the quick response and resolution from all staff and faculty at Trocaire College.

How would you explain your program to someone who isn’t familiar with it? HCI defined by the U.S. National Library of Medicine as the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of IT-based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management, and planning. HCI is filling the gap in the digital health care system within the US–while the US is advanced on the clinical side it is lagging behind on the digital end. Capturing, managing, analyzing, exchanging, and protecting electronic health information in a responsible and meaningful way is what I share with people when I am asked about HCI.

Why do you enjoy HCI at Trocaire? The program was challenging and rewarding at the same time. We learned about macro and micro healthcare information technology and management. I have enjoyed the wide range of subject material covered throughout the program; it has increased my knowledge base helping me to become academically well rounded.

What is one thing you don’t think people realize about HCI? I don’t think people realize how HCI affects healthcare in all capacities. HCI is a combination of healthcare, business, and technology. HCI utilizes information (data) captured and managed to analyze for identifying, interpreting and implementing change for improved healthcare outcomes. Information is king when it comes to business intelligence; the reports created from the analyzed data are used by healthcare executives and managers to help make informed healthcare decisions.

What are three personality traits of someone who would enjoy/thrive in HCI? I think openness is a great one to have because of the variety in knowledge one acquires and the continuous process of change that takes place in our healthcare system. Conscientiousness is also a good trait because embracing challenges that serve the greater good offer a sense of achievement and purpose. Agreeableness is another trait that converts human compassion into drive with the intentionality of making a difference in the quality of human life. HCI plays a significant role in the future success of our healthcare system that directly affects millions of human beings, what’s more rewarding than that?

One piece of advice for someone struggling in/considering giving up on their education goals? Embrace the challenge, trust the process and know that growth takes place outside of our comfort zone. Stay optimistic and focus on the hope that your sacrifice of time, effort, and money will pay off.

“Embrace the challenge, trust the process and know that growth takes place outside of our comfort zone. Stay optimistic and focus on the hope that your sacrifice of time, effort, and money will pay off.”