Tawana Pate

I worked in the Information Technology Department at Palmetto Health. It is one of the top, integrated health care delivery system in South Carolina. Palmetto Health Information Technology has gained recognition by winning the prominent Pillar Award in 2005.

I worked in a small, friendly working environment of 8 people who know each other well. At my internship, I worked with the department to create visual documentation of hundreds of servers that the hospital use on a daily basis.. This consisted of maintaining an accurate and updated inventory of the servers using Microsoft Excel, tracking discrepancies of the inventory, and creating visual images of the servers using Microsoft Visio. In addition, I was able to help in many other aspects of the everyday operations of the Datacenter.

I assisted with processing journal backups of financial and clinical files, checked tapes in and out of the TSM system which is an automated backup system, assisted in ensuring all reports are accurate and distributed properly, used Impax software to monitor PACS x-ray tapes that are requested by doctors and nurses, processed computer bootables on a monthly basis, processed information from the CTvision system that collects information about patients medical insurance, monitored chart and fax servers, and monitored the Cerner interfaces to make sure that all servers are up and running.

My internship was a great experience for me. I was able to experience and observe the everyday operations of the Information Technology department at Palmetto Health. My classroom knowledge of Microsoft Excel and computer networking helped me to contribute a valuable effort to the department. I also gained valuable facility management, leadership, and interpersonal skills. These skills included becoming familiar with the facility access and operations software, having the opportunity to work with professionals and other students, and being involved in interpersonal situations that occurred. In addition, I gained knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Visio that I could make use of in future career endeavors.