Alumnae Christabel Lo and Julie Duong discuss their experience in the UW Master of Health Informatics and Information Management (MHIHIM). The two graduates describe how the program shaped their careers, enhanced their skills in data-driven healthcare, and opened doors to leadership opportunities in pharmacy informatics.
As healthcare becomes increasingly data-driven, the ability to blend clinical expertise with informatics and leadership skills is more essential than ever. In response to this need, the University of Washington’s Master of Health Informatics and Health Information Management (MHIHIM) program dedicates one seat per cohort specifically for a pharmacy resident through UW Medicine. Referred to as the Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership residency (HSPAL), it is one of the first of its kind in the nation. This unique opportunity enables residents to gain advanced expertise in health data, leadership, and technology—all while completing their pharmacy residency.
Merging a Pharmacy Residency with the MHIHIM Program
“Pharmacy is a very data-driven field,” says Christabel Lo (MHIHIM ’24), who joined the program while completing her UW School of Pharmacy residency, after earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan. With pharmacy data growing exponentially, both clinically and operationally, supplementing clinical experience with health IT skills has become increasingly critical.
“As I was applying for residency, I became interested in the intersection of management and pharmacy IT data,” Lo explains. “I wanted to pursue a program that would provide didactic training to augment my skills and be transferrable to my future career,” she describes.
For professionals already established in the field, the MHIHIM program also offers a path for strategic career growth. “I came into the program with a 10-year career in hospital pharmacy and technology,” shares Julie Duong (MHIHIM ’22), coordinator for the pharmacy residency collaboration. “I was looking to deepen my leadership skills and broaden my understanding of informatics—and I definitely gained that and more,” she adds.
Key Learnings and Career Impact
With a curriculum centered on data analytics, information governance, health IT, leadership development, and cross-sector collaboration, the MHIHIM program is both practical and transformational for students from a wide range of healthcare backgrounds. Many students work in a variety of settings while completing the program, so they can quickly apply their learnings to the professional setting. “Residents readily apply knowledge gained from class toward hands on experiences in different pharmacy settings, services, and practices,” Duong explains.
“The most significant takeaway for me was learning how to effectively manage teams with diverse professional backgrounds,” reflects Lo. She further describes, “The technical skills I gained through the program have equipped me to serve as a bridge between pharmacy, health IT, and data, allowing me to navigate and integrate these domains seamlessly.”
“The technical skills I gained through the program have equipped me to serve as a bridge between pharmacy, health IT, and data, allowing me to navigate and integrate these domains seamlessly.”
– Christabel Lo
Mirroring the real-world dynamics of health care, teamwork across disciplines was also essential for Duong. “Since the cohorts comprise students from varying sectors of healthcare, it allowed me to see from those perspectives and has helped me in my own career when working on projects impacting disciplines beyond pharmacy,” she notes.
The MHIHIM program’s multi-disciplinary approach is intentionally designed to prepare students for multiple aspects of their career in health informatics. “I consistently draw on the skills I developed through my MHIHIM training. These skills have proven invaluable in helping me effectively solve challenges and make informed decisions in my current role,” says Lo.
Advice for Future Students
“Anyone looking to strengthen their clinical skills in a hospital pharmacy setting and pursuing a career path in leadership and technology should strongly consider this program” notes Duong. She also advises that prospective students find a program that supports both their professional and personal growth. Through hybrid-flexible classes and a wellness program, MHIHIM students in the residency program are provided the support they need to successfully complete the program.
For pharmacy students or career pharmacists ready to merge their clinical training with an education in health IT, the HSPAL with MHIHIM residency offers a transformative experience that bridges healthcare practice with cutting-edge innovation—and opens the door to a myriad of career opportunities.