Celebrating the first Pharm.D. students to graduate from the MS in Health Informatics program

In December 2023, Chad Elliot Harle and Victoria Brooks were the first Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) students to graduate from the Pharm.D./MS in Health Informatics concurrent degree program. Learn more about their experience juggling two graduate degree programs at South Carolina’s only academic health science center.

About the Program

The concurrent degree program allows students enrolled in the MUSC Pharm.D. program to concurrently complete their master’s degree in health informatics. The MS in Health Informatics program at MUSC emphasizes training for those who seek to lead the design, implementation, and management of health informatics and health information systems. Students in the program also build expertise in health analytics.

Why did you decide to enroll in the MSHI program?

Chad:
I enrolled in the MSHI program because I wanted to make sure I was a competitive candidate for any position I may pursue after graduation, while at the same time learning more about a niche innovative subject in health care.

Victoria:
I decided to enroll in the MSHI program because it aligned with my career aspirations and would provide me with further insight into the technology I would be using everyday as a health care professional. The overarching goal of health informatics is to improve patient care, enhance the efficiency of health care delivery, and contribute to advancements in medical research by leveraging information technology and data-driven insights. As technology continues to evolve, health informatics plays a crucial role in shaping the future of health care. I think that being educated on what health informatics is and the role it plays in health care only enhances my capabilities as a soon-to-be pharmacist to provide the highest level of care to patients.

What was your experience like juggling two academic programs?

Chad:
Juggling the two programs was not easy at times, but with help from College of Pharmacy and MSHI faculty, it made the program very feasible and enjoyable. There were many overlaps while being in pharmacy school and completing a master's in health informatics, such as learning about different [electronic health records] (EHRs) that I would be using daily, health care laws and ethics, pharmacogenomics, and many other topics.

Victoria:
Although juggling two academic programs was challenging, it helped me develop time management skills and learn how to prioritize tasks on my to-do list. The faculty at MUSC have been very supportive throughout the entirety of the program and are always available when I need guidance.

What was the most valuable or your favorite part of the MSHI program?

Chad:
My favorite part of the MSHI program was designing a Health Lifestyle App for Diabetic patients with my colleague Victoria Brooks!

Victoria:
The most valuable part of the MSHI program was collaborating with students from various backgrounds, all on different career paths as well as learning from distinguished faculty members.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

Chad:
I hope to be able to find a career that works to incorporate the innovative things that I learned from the MSHI program into the pharmacy setting.

Victoria:
After graduation, I plan to pursue a pharmacy [post graduate year one] (PGY1) residency program and hope to continue utilizing the knowledge I have gained from the MSHI program to positively impact patient care.

What advice would you give to other pharmacy students considering the dual degree path?

Chad:
I would advise any student to continue to pursue knowledge whether that is through a dual degree program or other means. I was very fortunate to find another program that piqued my interest and I implore other learners to seek out opportunities such as these.

Victoria:
I would advise other pharmacy students considering the dual degree path to pursue what interests them. Pharmacy encompasses so many different niches, so it’s all about finding what you enjoy and how it can help shape your career. The Pharm.D./MSHI program provides you with a broader perspective and valuable skills to help enrich the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of health care delivery.