Running Zen Me Space got me curious about a big question: how does anyone know whether a health effort is working? The answer is data, and data has to be collected, stored, protected and understood by people who know what they're doing.
That's the world NJHIMSS works in. It's the New Jersey chapter of HIMSS, a group of healthcare professionals, providers and vendors who work to improve how information technology is used in healthcare. I'm now a student member.
Why I joined
I'm early in learning this field, and that's part of the appeal. I'm drawn to the spot where public health and information meet. Student membership gives me access to the chapter's educational events, conferences and networking, so I get to hear from people who do this work every day.
Health decisions are only as good as the information behind them.
Why it fits
Health records are some of the most sensitive data there is, so keeping them accurate and private matters as much as collecting them. That sits right where information science, cybersecurity and health overlap.
I'll write more here as I learn what NJHIMSS has to teach me.