Duke University School of Nursing has selected Jamilah Harris and Julie Aly as the recipients of the 2018 Nursing Informatics Scholarships. Congratulations to Harris and Aly, who will each receive $20,000 to be distributed over two years.

“While working as a floor nurse, one of my managers recommended me for a “superuser” … that allowed me to become the unit expert on the new system,” says Jamilah Harris, health informatics student. “I really enjoyed being able to have input on what technological changes would make the nursing process more efficient and then having the opportunity to teach my colleagues.”

Aly chose to pursue the field of health informatics because she believes it allows her the opportunity to help improve patient care and safety on a larger scale.

“While working in a clinic, our office underwent a major process upgrade to the EPIC system,” says Julie Aly, health informatics student. “During the transition, I worked with the EPIC personnel to help build the templates we would be using.”

During Aly’s time helping to build templates, she realized that she was in a place as a nurse to truly help her fellow nurses improve the way electronic health record processing was done, ultimately helping to improve the health care process for medical personnel and patients alike.

“Informatics explores the use of technology and information to improve patient care and outcomes and we are thrilled and proud to have Jamilah and Julie join our program” says Rachel Richesson, MS, PhD, MPH, FACMI, faculty member in informatics. “They represent the passion, insight and commitment that will help us realize the “quadruple aim” to enhance patient experience, improve population health, reduce costs and improve the work life of health care providers, clinicians and staff.”