From a health crisis to a career in healthcare—Brandon Buxton on turning problems into his passion

When Brandon Buxton, a senior studying health informatics and information management, began his WMU career, he planned on majoring in integrated supply management. However, after he experienced a severe health crisis, he found his passion in the healthcare sector. Being in the hospital for weeks at a time exposed him to the problems and opportunities that exist in healthcare. His field of study health informatics and information management works to bridge the gap between clinical, business, and technical parties and ensure the safety, security and efficiency of electronic health systems. He took an experience that was negative for him and used it as motivation to help change and improve the systems that are in place today. He discusses how the Haworth College of Business, and his minors in accountancy and business analytics are helping prepare him for his career in healthcare.

Why health informatics?

The healthcare sector is rapidly developing and adapting technologies and systems. This growth offers an excellent opportunity for advancement and allows me to participate in the development of still-novel systems. I’m very excited to see how technology, particularly analytics, revolutionizes patient care. We are finding that algorithms can help identify, predict, and diagnose in ways that previously took rounds of specialists and expensive tests. This realization is leading to a democratization of healthcare and offers the possibility of seriously improving the health of our nation within the next few decades. While this is still a long way off, I am excited to be a participant in the grassroots of this technology.

How the Haworth College of Business helps

The Haworth College of Business has given me fundamental business knowledge that allows me to be an asset to the company I work for, working in different functional areas with varying responsibilities. I frequently use the knowledge gained in my business analytics courses in my job as an information technology co-op for Bronson Healthcare Group to resolve technical issues for end users, like doctors and nurses. After spending a lot of time at Bronson as a patient and being exposed to their working environment and culture, I was drawn to the idea of working for the company. Bronson is devoted to patient health and safety, and it is great to see the level of dedication that people put into their work and how seriously they take it each and every day. The professors and classes at the Haworth College of Business have prepared me to work well in such an environment.  

His role at Bronson Healthcare Group

Bronson IT co-ops have multiple rotations in different areas of IT, so I have had the benefit of working in many different functions with varying responsibilities. I started in the customer support center, where I answered calls to resolve technical issues for the hospital. I also worked in asset management, giving me more experience on the hardware side of IT. Now, I work as an application analyst for inpatient orders and clinical documentation teams, helping to build the electronic medical record for each patient’s care. 

 The most important thing I have learned during my co-op is how essential it is for teams to work well together. Teams that cooperate and help each other thrive are a joy to work with, while teams that dislike and compete with each other flounder. This is true for any application, whether in school or in the professional world. Strong teams and relationships are always critical to success.

What makes his college experience unique?

After facing considerable health challenges, I had to take incompletes in my courses for the spring 2017 semester, but I did not allow that to discourage me from achieving my goals. I was able to complete those courses by the end of that summer. For students who experience similar difficulties, it’s important to know that it is still possible to succeed. Success is often closer than it appears, even when countless obstacles stand in your way.

His plans for the future

I plan to explore every opportunity available to me, including remaining in the professional world as well as pursuing graduate education. I think it is important to remember to not let your career prospects be limited by your major—so I will consider any opportunity that presents itself. I hope to continue to work in the healthcare sector, though I am not exactly sure what role I will be in. I do know I want to continue to impact patient care and make a difference in the lives of those touched by information systems each day.