Health Informatics Program or Health Care Management Program
Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) students are improving efficiency in patient care at several clinics of the Klamath Health Partnership (KHP) in a new community based project that gives students real world experience. This innovative effort brings together one student team with professionals in KHP’s dental office, analyzing and evaluating different ways to improve patient access; and another team is analyzing data to identify ways to improve the quality of care for chronic patients.
 
“Oregon Tech emphasizes hands-on education and this particular project illustrates how committed we are to providing our students with experiences that prepare them for the world of work,” said Assistant Professor of Management, Jeff Dickson, who coordinated the project for the class. “This is what our health care students will be undertaking in the field as professionals, so it is important they get the experience—here at Oregon Tech—while under guidance and instruction from faculty who have specialized experience in the health care industry,” Dickson added.
 
Klamath Health Partnership has been serving the Klamath Basin since 1997. KHP currently provides care at Klamath Open Door Family Practice, Chiloquin Open Door Family Practice, and at their recent opening of the Convenient Care Clinic off of Campus Drive and across from the Sky Lakes Emergency Room. “Klamath Health Partnership is always looking for ways to improve the patient experience at their clinics,” says Bonnie Ross, CEO of Klamath Health Partnership. “Partnering with Oregon Tech helps us meet the service needs of the community, and helps train the next generation of providers serving needs in the Klamath Basin.”
 
Students are enthusiastic about the multifaceted project as well. “I am excited to apply what I have been learning in the classroom,” responded Jessica Westmoreland, a senior in the Health Care Management program. “I feel like I’ll be ready to enter the workplace and be successful once I graduate because of the types of field experiences that Oregon Tech is providing to me.”
 
Yegor Berdyugin, a senior in the Health Informatics program, also commented on the applicable nature of his course work, “Our projects at Oregon Tech usually never begin with a clear solution. It is through careful analysis and teamwork that my fellow students and I are able to bring innovative and creative solutions to a business problem.”
 
“We are always looking to form relationships with new partners, so we invite other organizations to seek our help,” commented Dickson. “This project exemplifies why students choose our degrees at Oregon Tech—we provide hands-on experiences—and industry knows that our graduates are ready to hit the ground running.”
 
Health Informatics is the rapidly developing scientific field that utilizes computer technology to improve the quality and safety of patient care. This degree is designed for those who love working with computers and using technology and information to solve business problems.
 
For more information regarding the projects or to inquire about how the Health Informatics Program or Health Care Management Program can assist your organization, contact Jeff Dickson at 541-885-1857 or jeff.dickson@oit.edu.