CompuTech City, a health information technology company based in Casselberry, Fla., and its California-based partner, SuiteMed, have donated software and technical support valued at more than $2.2 million over five years to the University of Central Florida.
The donation will give health care informatics students real-world experience with electronic health records (EHR) and practice management software used by physician practices nationwide.
CompuTech City is providing UCF’s master’s degree program in health care informatics with licenses for its Intelligent Medical Software (IMS). Beginning this fall, students entering the program will be given access to the software, enabling them to gain experience with managing EHR, scheduling, drug dispensing, lab orders, billing and other components of a medical practice.
“The software will help our students see how the different parts of a medical practice can fit together electronically as well as interface with other services and offices. Its use will be an invaluable experience for our students,” said Kendall Cortelyou-Ward, interim director of the Health Care Informatics graduate program in the College of Health and Public Affairs.
The company will provide the licenses, technical support, hosting and software updates for five years.
“We realize the importance of a formalized training program, which will enable professionals to attain a better understanding and use of today’s technology and take them into the future of health care,” says Saurin Patel, CEO of CompuTech City.
Cortelyou-Ward said there has been keen interest in the informatics program since it began last fall. Twenty-five students are currently enrolled, and she anticipates adding 30 new students this fall.