Health Informatics Alumni Spotlight: Haywood Titchener

CHP Web Team
March 12, 2021
Haywood Titchener

Meet Haywood Titchener, MSHI Class of 2016

Current Position:

Senior Application Analyst for Laboratory Information Solutions

How has earning your MSHI helped you in your current position?

My position revolves around the system development life cycle and change management of MUSC's Laboratory Information Systems. We are currently about eight months away from going live with a new EPIC module called Beaker for the Clinical Pathology and Anatomic Pathology Laboratories. The classes I took helped me gain further knowledge in system analysis, system design, development, implementation, integration and testing, operations, and maintenance. I also gained a greater understanding of quality management, database management, and general healthcare management, which directly impacted my knowledge of the systems I help develop and support. The strong understanding of databases I gained in the program has led to my success as an EPIC builder as well.

What was the most valuable part of the MSHI program?

The most valuable part of the MSHI program was the hybrid classroom structure, with most of the coursework taught online. Being able to work and participate as a full-time student was important to me. I also found immense value in the classes offered. They gave me a phenomenal foundation from which I could make 'the jump' from the clinical side (being a former medical laboratory scientist working in transplant genetics); to the clinical IT side, and not skip a beat!

What advice would you give to someone considering the MUSC MSHI program?

Take inventory of your passions, motivation, and consider your career goals when you apply. This program fits well into a busy lifestyle and is especially beneficial if you're interested in research, data or clinical analytics, and health information management. If you have a clinical background, this program will complement your clinical training well.