In the heart of the American South, the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) is embarking on an ambitious journey of digital transformation. A state which has historically ranked among the lowest in the US for health outcomes, Mississippi faces several challenges, compounded by economic disparities and a healthcare infrastructure that, while improving, still faces significant constraints.
However, under the leadership of Chief Information Officer Kane Tomlin, the agency is reimagining its approach to technology, with a focus on breaking down data silos, enhancing citizen-centric services and leveraging emerging technologies to improve public health outcomes.
Recently assuming the role of CIO after serving as the agency’s Chief Information Security Officer, Kane brings a unique perspective. His background, which includes stints as an Army master diver, a Special Programmes Administrator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and a consultant specialising in organisational behaviour and enterprise service management, has informed his approach to modernising MSDH’s technological infrastructure.
His journey into technology began during the Y2K era, focusing on project management and web application development. However, his path took an unexpected turn after the events of 9/11.
“I had what I call an early midlife crisis and joined the military as an army diver,” Kane recalls.
This decision led him to a distinguished career in military diving, where he ultimately achieved the rank of master diver, the highest level in the field.
The transition from military diving to healthcare might seem unusual, but Kane identifies common ground: the pervasive nature of digitisation.
“When I started in the military, we were still training people to dive down, measure the water depth, and record it on a grease board,” he explains. “By the time I left, we had robots and advanced hydrographic survey techniques. We're seeing the same level of digitisation in law enforcement and healthcare.”
Following his military service, Kane’s career path took him to law enforcement and consulting, where he focused on organisational behaviour and enterprise service management. These experiences proved invaluable in preparing him for the complex challenges of healthcare IT, particularly in breaking down silos that exist in both the public and private sectors.
“No one planned to scatter data everywhere, but regulations like HIPAA and FERPA, combined with the nature of technology's evolution, created many siloed systems,” he notes. “Now, as we enter the age of data analytics, there's a big emphasis on breaking down these silos to proactively help citizens.”
Under Kane’s leadership, the MSDH is moving beyond mere compliance to focus on reducing pain points in operational processes while maintaining security. This shift aligns with his vision of seamless, citizen-centric healthcare delivery.
“If I had my way, in the next three years we'd reach a point where every citizen of Mississippi could access all their healthcare data through an app,” he shares.
The department is also leveraging technology to enhance healthcare delivery, particularly through telehealth initiatives.
“Telehealth has been a significant game changer, providing both convenience and cost savings,” Kane explains. “We can't afford to hire specialists like oncologists for every county, but with telehealth, a single specialist can reach patients across the entire state.”
Looking ahead, Tomlin's roadmap for the MSDH focuses on three main areas: IT service management, cloud architecture and asset management. He’s particularly excited about the potential of IT service management to provide valuable insights into organisational operations and drive efficiencies.
“As a manager, it's fascinating to see how your organisation responds to challenges in near real-time,” Kane reflects. “It's rewarding to watch ticket volumes rise during a crisis like COVID and then fall as solutions are implemented and shared across the agency. It’s a clear demonstration of how technology can drive value and improve outcomes for everyone involved.”
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