How MUSC student and program coordinator, Sarah Davidson, is making a real-world impact with health informatics

As a program coordinator in the Medical Staff Services department at MUSC, Sarah Davidson sees firsthand how fragmented data systems can create roadblocks in provider credentialing and patient care. Inspired by these challenges, she enrolled in the MUSC Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program to deepen her understanding of health care systems and technology. For Sarah, the program has become more than just a degree—it's a toolkit she's actively using to streamline processes and make data-driven improvements that support better outcomes for providers and patients.

What inspired you to pursue a degree in health informatics?

I was inspired by the need for interoperability [the ability for different information systems and applications to work together in a coordinated way] that I’ve observed in my current role as a program coordinator in the Medical Staff Services department at MUSC. This experience motivated me to expand my understanding of how we can design and implement more efficient health information systems to enhance patient care.

While the connection between Medical Staff Services and health informatics may not seem obvious at first, there's actually significant overlap. The MSHI program has given me a broader understanding of health care systems and technology, which I apply in areas like credentialing, compliance, and provider data accuracy.

How do you leverage the coursework from the MSHI program in your role? Are there specific concepts or tools that have been particularly helpful?

In my current role, I help ensure that all providers practicing within our organization meet the necessary qualifications, licensure, and credentialing standards. My daily responsibilities include managing the credentialing and re-credentialing process, verifying provider information, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records in our credentialing system, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Even though I’m still early in the MSHI program, I’ve already been able to apply what I’m learning. One of the biggest benefits so far has been learning how to better analyze and work with data. I’ve been able to streamline parts of our credentialing process—like tracking application statuses, spotting delays, and pulling together data for leadership reports. I’ve also found the content on interoperability and data standards really helpful. It’s given me a better understanding of why having consistent provider data across systems matters so much—for accurate credentialing and making sure providers are correctly represented in our electronic health records (EHR), scheduling, and billing systems.

What’s one of the biggest challenges you face in your position, and how has the knowledge you’ve gained from the program helped you navigate that challenge?

One of the biggest challenges I face in my role is the lack of interoperability between the various programs used across the health system. Provider data is often stored in multiple platforms, such as our credentialing system (Verge), human resources software, and EHRs, and making sure that information is accurate, consistent, and up to date across all of them can be difficult. This fragmentation leads to inefficiencies and increases the risk of errors.

While this is a complex issue that won’t be solved overnight, the MSHI program has given me a much better understanding of why these challenges exist, including both the technical and organizational barriers. Through my coursework, I’ve learned about data standards, integration frameworks, and health information exchange models that could help address these problems over time. This knowledge has also helped me communicate more effectively with IT teams and advocate for improvements from a more informed perspective.

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

Lean into the mix of topics the program offers and stay open to learning both the technical side and the bigger-picture strategy behind health informatics. It can be challenging at times, but it’s also super rewarding. You’ll pick up a lot of useful skills, like working with data, understanding how health care systems run, and staying on top of new technologies. Stay curious and make the most of what MUSC has to offer. Whether that’s connecting with faculty, jumping into hands-on projects, or chatting with people already working in the field, there’s a lot of support if you seek it out.

What are your long-term career goals, and how do you see your MS in Health Informatics helping you achieve them?

My long-term goal is to continue improving efficiency and patient care here at MUSC. I truly enjoy working here, and I’m excited about the opportunities for growth within my current role. I also see the potential to apply my expertise across other departments as I gain more experience. The MS in Health Informatics will be instrumental in helping me achieve these goals by equipping me with the tools and knowledge to drive process improvements, implement health care technologies, and optimize systems that ultimately lead to better quality of care for patients.