Learning Outcomes Addressed

1. Analyze the impact of technology on health care services, health care outcomes, and cost.
2. Use technology and information resources to research issues in health services

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*Tanya Morales, Senior IT Manager at Beacon and Associates Consulting

Tanya, the Student's mentor, is a friendly, outgoing middle-aged Hispanic woman who has been with Beacon and Associates for more than 5 years, but she has been in the IT industry for more than 20 years. She began her career as an entry-level IT staff member at a nonprofit agency, where she was quickly promoted due to her technical knowledge, organizational skills, and leadership abilities. She soon found that she didn't have any other advancement opportunities there, so she looked for a new challenge and found it in healthcare where she got valuable experience and worked her way up to Director of Information Technology of a nationwide health care system. She enjoyed the challenge for a while but grew tired of the long work hours. Knowing that her skills were in high demand, she joinedBeacon and Associates as their Senior IT Manager. Tanya is a true "geek"; technology fascinates her, and she always has the latest and greatest electronic gadgets.

*Robert Walker, Chief Information Officer of Bright Road Health Care System

Robert Walker is a Caucasian man in his 50s. He is a cerebral man and sometimes he can seem curt or terse. Robert appreciates the value of an objective viewpoint when it comes to implementing new technology, especially when it has such an impact on both patients and staff members at the hospital.Bob is "married to his work", spending long hours at the office. Bob is also a member of Bright Road Health Care System's Board of Directors.

*Kimberly O'Neill, Chief Financial Officer of Bright Road Health Care System

Kimberly is an African American woman in her late 50s. She joined one of the organizations that now form Bright Road as an internal auditor. Due to her drive and her seemingly innate analytical skills, she was quickly promoted to Vice President of Finance for the health care system. Kimberly is an important part of the team, not only for her great experience but because she is able to present financial information in a manner in which people without a financial background can clearly understand.

*Tiffany Halpert, Chief of Medical Staff of Bright Road Health Care System, Board Member

Tiffany is a physician in her early 40's. She is bright, funny, and very direct. Her current responsibilities include care management and organizational performance for the Health Care System including medical management, care coordination, case management, and management engineering. She is an internist, just beginning her term as Chief of Medical staff.

*Ken Bloom, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Bright Road Health Care System

Ken is in his mid-40s, and has held various positions of nursing departments in both small and large medical facilities. At Bright Road, he began his career in an urgent care facility, where he saw a lot of elderly patients. He had a natural inclination for assisting elderly patients, so he shifted his focus to geriatric care and took a position at one of the largest hospitals in the system as a geriatric care nurse.He then moved on to be the CNO providing overall leadership and management for patient care services. He's sympathetic, kind, and passionate about a nurse's ability to positively impact patient care.

*Ronald Baxter, Chief Administrator Officer of Bright Road Health Care System

Ron is in his late 50s. He's boisterous and direct. He has been the Chief Administrative officer for Bright Road Health Care for about a year. Ron is fairly new to health care in general, has been in the industry for only 5 years. Prior to joining Bright Road, Ron held various positions in software corporations throughout the United States. Because of this broad experience and bold communication style, Ron brings an interesting and refreshing viewpoint to the team.