PATHWAY CONNECTION

Professional development for faculty and staff played a critical role in scaling the impact of the Healthcare Technology & Administration Pathway Project. Essex County College, in partnership with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Institute, launched a multi-layered strategy to build teaching capacity and connect education professionals with cutting-edge healthcare IT practices.

A HIMSS member was onboarded as an Adjunct Professor through a grant-funded partnership, offering instruction in an 18-week certification preparation course designed for both educators and learners. This professional development opportunity ensured that faculty members were aligned with current industry standards, particularly those related to the CAHIMS® and CPHIMS® certifications.

Additionally, Essex County College faculty and administrators participated in the HIMSS NJ Chapter Fall Conference in Atlantic City. The event featured over 50 healthcare and technology organizations and offered sessions on analytics, data privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging trends. Attendees gained valuable insights and established professional connections with CIOs, vendors, and HIMSS leaders—knowledge that will be integrated into ECC’s curriculum and shared with peer institutions.

This strategic focus on professional development reinforces the sustainability of the pathway by equipping educators with tools, networks, and industry insight to continuously evolve their instruction in step with the healthcare IT landscape.