PATHWAY CONNECTION

This pathway connection integrated meaningful, real-world experience into the healthcare IT education pipeline through participation in the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Hackathon, hosted by Cooper University Health Care and supported by the HIMSS Institute. Students from Essex County College (ECC), including those enrolled in the Healthcare Information Management Professional certification course, engaged in this six-week experiential learning opportunity, which included virtual programming and an in-person competition.

The ECC team developed and presented a “Digital Health Literacy 101 Training Guide” aimed at senior citizens, earning first place in the statewide competition. Their success qualified them to present at the prestigious thiNc360 Healthcare National Conference in Washington, DC, where they placed among the top four teams nationally.

This hands-on experience connected students with healthcare professionals, venture capitalists, and thought leaders, reinforcing both technical skills and real-world application of health IT solutions in addressing equity and access issues. Faculty mentorship, industry support from HIMSS, and alignment with ECC’s academic programming helped ensure a high-impact experience. This exemplifies the NJ Pathways goal of embedding experiential learning into education and workforce training, enhancing career readiness, and showcasing the talent and innovation within New Jersey’s Community Colleges.