When you combine the complexities of modern health care with the abilities of modern technology, the result ends up being an amazing load of career opportunities in Health Information Technology. This can be especially true for those who are interested in the medical field, but prefer to work behind the scenes. Kelly Johnson is the Director of Health Informatics Programs at Danville Area Community College.
During Thursday evening’s (Jan 25th) DACC Board of Trustees meeting, Johnson talked about the new Cancer Registry Management and Healthcare Billing Certificates being offered. But as Johnson explains, that’s just part of it. Professionals already in Health Informatics can add to their credentials, high school students interested in the Health Information Technology field can get a head start with the new Healthcare College Express program; and those interested in starting over, already with a two year degree or not, who need the basics first; DACC has something for them too.
(1st Picture) DACC Director of Health Informatics Programs Kelly Johnson addresses the Board of Trustees. (2nd Picture) DACC Health Informatics student Trinity Dokie explains what the program has meant to her as Kelly Johnson and DACC Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Carl Bridges listen.
AUDIO: It’s not just limited to HIT grads. Anybody with any Associate’s Degree; you can have an Associate’s Degree in Culinary. We’ve got that for high school students; they get a jump start on their either degree or certificate in Health Information Management. But then we also have the Elevate program; where people who don’t have their high school diploma, if they want to get their high school diploma and a billing certificate at the same time, they can get that in two semesters.
For more information, contact Kelly Johnson at her DACC office at 217-554-1678.
Also during Thursday’s DACC Board meeting, president Dr. Stephen Nacco mentioned that the major renovation work on the Clock Tower building is now scheduled to be done this fall. Dr. Nacco says contractor Broeren Russo Building out of Champaign and the Capital Development Board have really stepped up to the plate.
AUDIO: They have put together a scope of work that has all of the infrastructure work done by October. It’s just really; it’s going to be a good thing.
Dr. Nacco also mentioned that February 4th through the 7th will be the Association of Community College Trustees Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. He says one major topic will be keeping a key component to the development of community colleges alive and well.
AUDIO: Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Because that’s going to help nationally what we’re doing with Pell, and what we’re doing with Stafford loans and student loans.
Dr. Nacco says there will be meetings with Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckwork on Tuesday, February 5th.
