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Owens HIT Program Named Only CAHIIM Program of Distinction in Northwest Ohio

HIT professor Teresa McGaharan works with a student in the Healthcare Education Center classroom.

Owens Community College’s Department of Health Information Technology (HIT) has been named a Future Education Model Demonstration Program by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), making Owens the only college in northwest Ohio to receive the designation.

CAHIIM also designated it as a Program of Distinction and renewed its accreditation for the maximum seven years.

The designations follow CAHIIM’s overhaul of its accreditation standards to better align with competency-based curriculum. The commission invited programs across the country to become pilot programs and Owens was selected last year.

Kita Fleming, chair of the HIT department, said this achievement “demonstrates our commitment to leading the way in competency-based education and preparing students for the demands of today’s healthcare workforce.”

“Our program provides students with an innovative educational experience focused on developing the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to succeed in health information management,” Fleming added.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists job growth for Health Information Technologists as “much faster than average” with an expected growth of 16% from 2025-35. It also lists the median annual wage at $68,020.

Fleming said the transition required collaboration, flexibility and commitment from the faculty and staff. The process presented new challenges but provided the group and opportunity to strengthen the curriculum and ensure that the students are well prepared for the evolving healthcare industry.

“Our faculty bring valuable professional experience and industry knowledge into the classroom, helping students connect academic concepts to real-world healthcare environments,” Fleming said. “Our HIT lab provides opportunities for students to develop practical skills using technology and tools relevant to the profession.

“Together, these resources create a learning environment that supports student success and prepares graduates to enter the workforce with confidence.”

Dr. Denise Smith, Owens provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said the continuing accreditation aligns the program with the School of Nursing and Health Professions’ standard of excellence.

Smith also said it shows employers that Owens graduates have completed a high level of education and are equipped to enter the workforce with technical knowledge, professional competencies, ethical judgement and understanding of the accuracy, privacy and security needed in the use of health information.

“In a field increasingly shaped by technology, data analytics, regulatory requirements and patient privacy, that assurance gives employers confidence that our graduates are prepared to enter the workforce, pursue professional credentials and contribute effectively from the beginning of their careers,” Smith said.

To learn more about the HIT programs at Owens, visit owens.edu.