Jordan Hilsman, center, at his Pitt graduation
Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) alumnus Jordan Hilsman (MSHI ‘23) has been selected among a competitive pool of nationwide candidates for an eight-month National Institutes of Health training program called AIM-AHEAD (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity). Its goal is to increase researcher diversity in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) by training individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to gaining proficiency in AI/ML data analysis and applying their expertise to benefit communities underrepresented in biomedical research.
Hilsman, a former student of Health Information Management Assistant Professor Yanshan Wang and current AI research engineer in the PittNAIL (Clinical Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Laboratory) lab, says, “Keeping health disparities in mind is a critical piece of the puzzle when solving problems with AI in the clinical domain. I find this award to be very meaningful as there is a delicate balance between leveraging AI technologies in sensitive areas like health care and ensuring that the benefits are evenly applied to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.”
Wang explains the importance of this NIH training further. “The AI/ML field currently lacks diversity in its researchers and in data, including electronic health record (EHR) data. These gaps pose a risk of creating and continuing harmful biases in how AI/ML is used, how algorithms are developed and trained and how findings are interpreted. Critically, these gaps can lead to continued health disparities and inequities for underrepresented communities.”
With the help of the $10,000 stipend, Hilsman will attend all training sessions, engage with National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and AIM-AHEAD mentors, participate in learning communities and peer networking and attend AIM-AHEAD meetings. Hilsman says, “Each awarded fellowship will receive mentorship from experienced, skilled investigators within AIM-AHEAD core members who will guide the trainee in developing their testable hypothesis using N3C data.” The program was developed by NCATS and utilizes the resources of the NCATS National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) Data Enclave and AIM-AHEAD’s data science training core to conduct the in-depth analysis of large datasets essential for cutting-edge biomedical and socioeconomic research.
“This training program will further equip Jordan to become more acquainted with EHR data, manage data models, conduct advanced AI/ML analyses, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of data quality, integrity and transparency in clinical settings, ultimately preparing him to become a successful health informatics professional,” says Wang.
The Master of Science in Health Informatics program gave Hilsman the skills and experience to be a top contender for the program explains Wang. “Owing to Jordan’s rigorous training in our MSHI program, which includes a diverse array of AI/MI courses, and his research experience in our PittNAIL lab focusing on clinical natural language processing (NLP) and AI, he stood out among the applicants.”
Yanshan Wang (far left) and Jordan Hilsman (fourth from right) enjoy a pizza party with others in their PittNAIL lab
“This award marks an inaugural achievement for a student of our MSHI program, signifying our program's eminent position on the national stage as a hub for cultivating health informatics experts,” Wang continues. “It underscores not just the pioneering research endeavors of our Health Informatics faculty but also their commitment to actively involve MSHI students in these groundbreaking projects. Witnessing our students excel and lead the way in the burgeoning field of AI in medicine fills me with immense pride and satisfaction.”
The benefits of our research can be felt in the level of care that patients receive. Our focus on ethical use of AI in health care will help ensure that all patients can receive the full benefit of the technology used by clinicians and researchers, and our efforts in progressing the field of clinical NLP will allow for patient care to be enhanced by improving health literacy, representing patients fairly and a number of other ways through our research advancements. The technology and health care industries in the Pittsburgh area significantly surpass the national average in size. However, there's a pressing need to expand Pittsburgh's racial and ethnic diversity within this sector and improve health equity through technologies in the region. This training initiative is designed to empower health informatics professionals trained in the region, enabling them to leverage their skills to support communities that are traditionally underrepresented.