March 5, 2019

A Dornsife alumnus is honored for her ability to leverage technology to improve public health.

Dornsife School of Public Health (DSPH) alum Yolande Greene, MPH ’15, Health Management and Policy, was honored as this year’s Gamechanger at the HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition 2019 in Orlando, FL. A Population Health and Health IT Consultant, Greene says, “I work to transform healthcare, challenge the status quo, and forge a new path.

The event brings together more than 45,000 health information and technology professionals, clinicians, executives, and market suppliers from around the world for HIMSS, a global not-for-profit focused on better health through technology.

Greene was named The Gamechanger for her work at the HSX (the Delaware Valley’s health information exchange) Population Health Program. There, she leveraged technology to build bridges, foster collaboration, and fill information gaps. “I was responsible for the overall planning, management, and execution of programmatic and strategic initiatives for the HSX program,” Greene says. The program provides access to a robust health care data set of encounter-level and clinical information on groups of individuals from multiple sources.

She implemented quality reporting and analytics services, worked with local and state health departments on public health initiatives, and partnered with other community-based organizations to provide enhanced care to the Philadelphia community.

To promote health equity, Greene believes, “we must improve access to quality, affordable care for everyone through the effective implementation of health information and technology.

The city of Philadelphia has been an excellent place for Greene to start her career. “There is so much to be done to improve the lives of Philadelphia residents. Public health professionals bring a unique, interdisciplinary approach to these efforts putting people at the center of systemic changes,” she says. “With all the innovation happening in Philadelphia, there is an enormous opportunity for us to apply our knowledge and skill sets to transform healthcare in the region.

In many unique ways, DSPH helped prepare Greene for her future career. “My experience at Dornsife provided me with the leadership skills needed to embark on my career,” she says. “I use core skills such as management, program development, organizational change, public policy and advocacy in all aspects of my work.

After graduation, Greene kept in touch with her DSPH network. “The relationships that I built with faculty were integral; many of which I continue today,” she says.

Greene encourages current students to make the most of their time at DSPH. “The possibilities are endless with a master’s degree in public health. Leave no stone unturned, no opportunity overlooked. You have the tools to truly make an impact in whatever industry you decide to pursue.”