The Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh is one of the few Library Science programs which provides a strong foundation in Health Sciences Librarianship. Through courses such as Health Information Resources, Medical Informatics, Consumer/Patient Health, and Special Libraries Management, students gain an understanding of the unique needs of health sciences patrons and how to provide access to the vast array of health information. Pittsburgh has a wealth of resources available for Field Placements, Independent Studies, and volunteer opportunities: an academic medical center, several teaching hospitals, small rural hospitals, state institutions and insurance companies all reside in and around the city. They provide many opportunities for exposure to a variety of health sciences librarianship careers. Health Sciences libraries are very progressive in developing and applying the latest information technology to enhance access and service to patrons via online systems, the World Wide Web, Telehealth initiatives and medical informatics programs. Whether as part of a large reference staff at a medical school or as a solo circuit librarian serving several rural hospitals, medical librarians play a vital role in providing access to health information to students, faculty, staff, researchers, and patients.

--Andrea Ball
Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Library, Portland

For more information about a specialization in Health Information Management, contact Dr. Detlefsen.