Knowledge comes from the challenge
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Digital Health degree combines computer science, health care and business into one integrated discipline.
Oluwafemi Agbeye is among the first cohort of students in Mohawk College’s multidisciplinary Digital Health degree program, the College’s first standalone degree.
That group is now about half-way through the four-year program, while another cohort is finishing its first year. It combines computer science, health care and business and integrates research, applied learning and placements.
All those threads interest Agbeye.
He works as a support worker for people with developmental delays, sometimes working full-time hours. But he also loves to program and code and has his eye on one day managing a health care business that develops software.
“There are not many programs like this one out there. This is an exploding field, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.”
Digital health is a broad field, encompassing everything from analyzing the data that helps clinicians make better treatment decisions to electronic health records to virtual patient visits to remote patient monitoring.
Right now, the concept of digital health and what those skills mean isn’t generally known but Agbeye is confident that his skillset will be in high demand.
Originally from Nigeria, Agbeye studied anatomical sciences and then computer science in Caracas for two years before deciding to move to Canada.
He started a personal support worker course in Toronto but then decided he should capitalize on his computer skills. He came to Mohawk College to study Software Development.
“When Digital Health was introduced, it really offered everything I was looking for, so I crossed over. I want a career that combines health care and IT.”
The program is challenging, says Agbeye, “but all of that comes with benefits. Knowledge comes from the challenge.”
Alongside courses in software development, mobile development and user interface design comes anatomy and physiology, patient safety and risk management, statistics, data analytics, telehealth, digital imaging, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and project management.
“This is a demanding program with a robust workload,” says Varrasso. “It combines a higher-level theoretical understanding with the hands-on applied learning we’re known for at Mohawk College.”
“Student feedback is outstanding. They love the program.” 