Students in the health information technology (HIT) program at Missouri State University-West Plains celebrated Health Information Professionals Week March 24-30.

The students hosted a variety of activities designed to bring awareness to the program and the careers available to its graduates.

They conducted a campus-wide toilet paper collection for area food banks and shelters. Students pointed out toilet paper is an item that isn’t always available at food banks and in low supply at area shelters. It’s also a necessity that cannot be purchased with food stamps, they added.

They also conducted a word search contest, offered snacks and giveaways to anyone who stopped by Looney Hall’s second floor, and hosted a reception for the campus community and anyone interested in enrolling in the program.

What is Health Information Technology?

An allied health profession, health information management ensures availability, accuracy, integrity and security of all data related to patient healthcare encounters, resulting in better healthcare quality.

Health information management professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, government and health insurance agencies, and other organizations.

They play a key role in the effective management of health data to deliver quality healthcare to the public, the students said.

For more information about Missouri State-West Plains’ Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology degree program, email HIT Director Tresa Ryan at TresaRyan@MissouriState.edu.