Protecting ‘Human Element’ Makes IT Job Especially Rewarding

7.5.17
By Amy McDonald, CHIME Communications

 

Being proactive is the name of the game in healthcare IT: securing data and patient information before threats strike. For many, this would be a high stress situation, knowing what is at stake, but for Darrell Keeling, it’s another day at the office. Keeling, vice president of information security and HIPAA security officer at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, IN, handles both the mundane tasks and curveball surprises with dedicated persistence.

“In all industries, we are protecting assets that are important,” Keeling said. “But in healthcare, we are protecting patients instead of protecting machines from malfunctioning or product data—what I call the human element that is unique to this industry. I find it very rewarding to be part of something like this, to feel like I’m bringing value to healthcare every day.”

While he may stand between hackers and sensitive patient information, his day-to-day activities also resemble that of his peers in other industries with reviews of incidents and checking up with IT teams as they remediate situations. Other duties include attending leadership board meetings at various hospitals, where he focuses on developing security awareness among physicians with varying backgrounds and requirements.

“It’s important to be competent to answer their questions where they are able to understand, whether that means putting it in a medical context or explaining a concept,” he said. “Even more important, however, is being a leader who knows how to relate to others to help them be successful, and being empathetic to how your changes as an IT leader can disrupt their workflows, while potentially solving both security risks and doctors’ needs.”

Leadership meetings also provide an opportunity to bring others up to speed on new threats so they can adapt their security strategies, or together come up with improved preventative measures. These meetings are a way Keeling interacts with other executive IT and security leaders, though not the only way.

CHIME and AEHIS have played a large role in growing him into the healthcare IT leader he is today. “Being part of CHIME and AEHIS has enabled me to put myself out there as a security healthcare professional and an executive in healthcare,” he said. “I have been the head of security in several industries, but being a part of events like CHIME Healthcare CIO Boot Camp™, with the range of knowledgeable people they have, is an incredible opportunity to meet people within a very strong peer group.”

The CHIME Healthcare CIO Boot Camp™ is an intensive educational program taught by CIO leaders. It is offered twice a year and to date has more than 1,800 alumni. “Gaining knowledge on what is going on in healthcare is invaluable.” Keeling said.

When he is not learning from others, he is teaching, mentoring and giving back. Experiences like the boot camp have led him to reach out to others, specifically by coaching executives and working with university students in information technology and computer science programs in the Fort Wayne area. Keeling is actively investing in a future he sees as bright and exciting for cybersecurity.

“Artificial intelligence will be a key component in what we do,” he predicted. “By analyzing data or detecting and mitigating threats from around the globe, I think we will see the security gap close with AI, though the gap isn’t as broad as we make it out to be.” He cited future drones serving as ambulances as an example. “Patient care will not be as much in brick and mortar locations. We are going to see more care take place in people’s homes while brick and mortar will be more specialty care.”

A leader with a listening ear, feet set on the path of success and an eye on the future can bring about immense change. Through his work at Parkview Health and participation in CHIME, AEHIS and mentoring, Keeling focuses on building a safer and better tomorrow, today.

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