Setting new goals are nothing new to Don Kersting, BBA 1998 Computer Information Systems. He has gone both the freelancing route and owned his own business in his IT career before landing as Baylor Learning Network Project Manager for Baylor Health Care System in Dallas. He was successful on his own, but leaving the single life behind caused him to abandon the ‘24-7 commitment’of entrepreneurship for the stable corporate gig. Now, in addition to his roles as devoted husband and new dad,he oversees day-to-day operations of all aspects of the Baylor Learning Network (BLN), which includes setting technology-based learning strategy for Baylor Health Care System, managing multimedia e-learning development projects for entire system and individual departments and coordinating and negotiating vendor contracts for the BLN itself and off-the-shelf e-learning. Kersting feels that e-learning is revolutionizing healthcare training, which in turn, is bolstering the level of patient care at his hospital.
“Although I love technology, I really enjoy the people part of my job. I spend a lot of time in our hospitals working with departments who could really use some e-learning so they can focus on patient care. For example, we are putting the finishing touches on a very interactive e-learning lesson that teaches our entire nursing population on the general points of our new blood and IV pumps. This e-learning will allow the nurses to take the learning during a free moment in their day, and not force them to head to the classroom. More time can be spent taking care of patients.”
Of course e-learning in the healthcare industry has its own environmental risks.
“I have a very queasy stomach and some of the e-learning content for healthcare professionals includes graphical elements not for the faint of heart.”
Kersting sums up the enthusiasm that keeps them enthralled in the day-to-day fervor of the IT world. “I think computers, and really technology in general, is cool. Yes, I know it is simplistic, and in some circles a bit dork-ish, but I think that the growing power,portability and use of technology is incredibly exciting. When you consider that the computing power in my cell phone is more that what was used to put man on the moon – well, it is hard to put your head around that.”
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