As the healthcare landscape evolves, the need for skilled professionals in public health informatics is more pressing than ever. Tenesha Kelly, a dedicated student and intern at the Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT) in the US Virgin Islands, is at the forefront of this transformation, thanks to her participation in the Public Health Informatics & Technology for Virgin Islands (PHIT4DC) program.
Tenesha, currently in her final year at the University of Central Florida (UCF), discovered the PHIT4VI program through her internship at OHIT and Zane Networks, a DC-based health transformation company. “This is a great opportunity for us here in the Virgin Islands to quickly learn about and gain experience in public health information technology, as well as being a way to give back to our community,” says Tenesha.
In 2023, The Howard University College of Pharmacy (HUCOP) and the Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT) collaborated to create two new initiatives – Public Health Informatics & Technology for the US Virgin Islands, a workforce training program, and the Digital Research Initiative, which will afford Virgin Islanders opportunities to advance in the fields of public health informatics, health information and telehealth.
The PHIT4VI program is an extension of the successful PHIT4DC initiative that was launched in 2021 through partnerships with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and Howard University (HU) which received ONC funding to develop an innovative new program to recruit at least 500 participants over a four-year period. With a special focus on underrepresented communities, the program aims to build a robust public health informatics workforce in Washington DC and now the US Virgin Islands by providing specialized training in public health informatics and health IT systems, equipping students with the skills needed to address the unique challenges of their region.
The USVI Office of Health Information Technology, led by Executive Director Michelle M. Francis, was established in 2021 by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. to enhance health and wellness in the USVI through innovative and transformative health information technology resources. Zane Networks has been working with OHIT since the inception of the Office to help the Office fulfill its stated goals and objectives and facilitated the inclusion of the USVI into PHIT4DC.
This workforce training initiative was tailored by Dr. Awuonda for the USVI and is a program that allows students, health professionals, and IT professionals from the US Virgin Islands to participate in the public health informatics and training (PHIT) programs as Howard University exchange students. The program includes elective courses, bootcamps, and workshops. The PHIT4VI cohort has graduated 14 exchange participants who gained knowledge on defining public health informatics and health information technology, understanding the context of population health, care coordination, interoperable health IT systems, hands-on training with electronic health record (EHR), and exposure to the health information exchange (HIE) data systems (specifically CRISP Shared Services) to advance population health.
“I was thrilled to see our efforts over 18 months come to fruition in ways that tangibly benefit Virgin Islanders,” stated Michelle Francis, Director of the Office of Health Information Technology. “It has been an honor and pleasure to help manifest Governor Bryan’s vision for integrated and enhanced healthcare through re-kindling the relationship with Howard University and partnering in ways that ultimately improve health outcomes while also positively impacting our workforce and economy. Enabling local talent like Ms. Kelly to play a role in the transformation of our healthcare delivery system is the cherry on top of the day-to-day work.”
Tenesha’s work at OHIT has already had a significant impact. “I’m helping to revise and update the OHIT strategic plan and roll out education to providers on the launch of the USVI Health Information Exchange,” she explains. “Getting providers educated about and on-boarded to the HIE will allow providers to access patient records without having to wait at the fax machine. They’ll be able to see all the patient’s history, including their medications, which is crucial to avoid medication errors that can cause harmful drug interactions.”
This kind of progress is vital for the Virgin Islands, where healthcare providers often face delays in accessing patient information. Better health information exchange streamlines care, making it easier and safer for providers to serve both residents and visitors to the islands.
Tenesha also emphasizes the importance of the experience she’s gaining through the PHIT4VI program. “We get to participate in hands-on lab work and engage with the various health IT and EHR systems,” she says. “PHIT is teaching us how to work through the health needs of our community, whether it’s ensuring access to medical devices, transportation, or even basic things like sheltering patients.”
Beyond her current internship, Tenesha sees a wealth of opportunities on the horizon. “With the revenue management cycle course I’m taking, even if I didn’t want to go in the public health direction, I could do something in finance because minimizing the cost of healthcare is so crucial.”
For Tenesha, the PHIT4VI program is more than just an educational opportunity—it’s a chance to make a lasting difference in her community. “I would encourage everyone, especially if you’re in the medical field, to investigate this program,” she advises. “It’s a great opportunity to learn more about public health information and tackle the basic healthcare needs that many underserved communities face. I’m grateful for this program.”
As Tenesha continues her journey in public health informatics, she remains committed to improving healthcare equity in the Virgin Islands. Through the PHIT4VI program, she’s gaining the knowledge and skills to help bridge the healthcare gaps in her community, ensuring that residents and visitors alike receive the best possible care.
Alexandra Jellerette is president of Zane Networks, a provider of healthcare transformation services and solutions.
