Seeking to Bring Value to Others with Jean Wilner Augustin
Jean Wilner Augustin, Master of Healthcare Informatics student
Master of Healthcare Informatics (MHI) student Jean Wilner Augustin has big dreams and bigger goals. After growing up in Haiti, Jean opted to pursue his MHI degree with the aspiration to one day start a non-governmental organization (NGO) that would benefit Haiti’s most marginalized communities. According to Director of Healthcare Informatics and Professor of Nursing and Healthcare Informatics, Debra Wolf, Jean has consistently excelled in his studies at Chatham, striving to go above and beyond to build his skillset. He was recently awarded the Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) Minority Grant from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Jean has also received Dr. Wolf’s student award towards tuition. In the below interview, Jean elaborates on what led him to the field of healthcare informatics, how Chatham has impacted him, and how he hopes to use his degree.
What led you to Chatham’s Master of Healthcare Informatics program?
Jean Wilner Augustin: My main reason for being at Chatham University is to improve and develop my competencies and skills to better serve others. Helping people has always been my dream; I am always looking for the best way to do that. A wise man once said, “When we serve, we look outside of ourselves, beyond our own problems, and seek to bring value to others.”
[Chatham] offered me the opportunity to make a difference in patients’ lives through its Master of Healthcare Informatics program. I am so proud to be part of this community! Chatham, one of the best in the region, is known for its respect of diversity, culture, identity, and opinion. It’s truly a place to demonstrate your talent, skills, and unique qualifications. I am honored to be a student at Chatham and share in its recognition of diversity and ever-changing adjustments to the environment.
Can you describe what the field of healthcare informatics encompasses in laymen’s terms?
JWA: Healthcare informatics is the use of computer and information sciences to solve health-related problems. In other words, it is the intersection where information science, computers, and medicine meet. Healthcare informatics changes everything, including our ability to store and retrieve data. Health Information Technology (HIT) makes it easier for healthcare providers, clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders to communicate and share information. Through these varied and sophisticated tools, including clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) and computerized provider order entry (CPOE), electronic health records (EHRs) can improve patient safety by reducing medication errors and generating system alerts. Through patient portals, patients’ health information is now available to them anywhere at no cost. An EHR provides complete and accurate information about a patient at any point of care. It also takes into consideration the confidentiality and security of patient information. Information technology can reduce cost and turnaround times, and improve patient outcomes.
“I chose this program to provide myself with better career choices in the future. This field is highly in-demand. It can absolutely help me distinguish myself in a very competitive marketplace.”
— JEAN WILNER AUGUSTIN
What, so far, has been your favorite part of your Chatham experience?
JWA: My favorite part has been the personal support and family-like atmosphere surrounding Chatham. [Chatham has] people you can go to when things are not going as planned. I remember once I contacted Dr. Wolf explaining my situation: I work full-time and my wife is about have a child. [I felt that] this was going be too much and that I wouldn’t be able to handle it. She reassured me that she, along with the other faculty, would be flexible with the deadlines to submit my assignments. They’ve been very supportive and caring. Now, I am only one semester away from graduating thanks to Dr. Wolf & colleagues. It’s a good place to be!
Can you speak to your experience as an international student?
JWA: There are a lot of pitfalls to deal with and potentially overcome including cultural shock and academic writing. I am okay with that because I learn fast and can quickly adapt to any situation. Personally, I believe these challenges are more bearable [than others].
What are your post-graduate goals and career aspirations?
JWA: After my graduation, I hope to pursue a career that uses the skills I’ve obtained from my Chatham MHI program. Someday when my family is a little older, I would like to start a non-profit organization to benefit the people of Haiti. I want to be a valuable resource for my family, friends, community, and world.
Anything else?
JWA: I want to thank you for the opportunity to interview and share my experiences with Chatham. This is a milestone toward achieving one of my most important goals: [completing] the highest education level of the U.S. system. I want to encourage all to work hard and be persistent. Never give up pursuing your dreams.
Special thanks to Jean for sharing his experience with us! If you’re curious about Chatham’s Master of Healthcare Informatics program, check it out on our website.
