Key Takeaways
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The College of Public Health has renamed the department to Health Administration, Policy, and Informatics (HAPI), formally recognizing its leadership and growth in health informatics while reflecting the evolving role of data and technology across healthcare.
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The addition of informatics reflects the department’s sustained growth in education, research, and program offerings while reinforcing its focus on data, analytics, artificial intelligence, and technology as core drivers of health systems, policy, and outcomes.
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This evolution enhances the college’s impact by preparing graduates for high-demand, technology-enabled careers while elevating the department’s research strength and national and global visibility.
With the rapid rise of electronic health records, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, health informatics skills are critical for health workers in all fields, and the demand for health informaticists continues to grow.
The College of Public Health is formally recognizing years of leadership and growth in health informatics by renaming its department as the Department of Health Administration, Policy, and Informatics (HAPI). This transition reflects the department’s long-standing commitment to health informatics education and research alongside health administration and policy, the expansion of program offerings, and the growing importance of informatics across health care and public health.
Effective July 15, 2026, the name change to HAPI represents a forward-looking alignment with the skills and expertise required to improve health systems, inform policy, and advance population health outcomes, while formally recognizing the department’s continued growth and leadership in health informatics. Departmental faculty expertise includes artificial intelligence and natural language processing in health care, big data analytics, health economics, disability policy, social insurance programs, bioethics, health care quality, and health insurance coverage.
“As the longtime leader in health informatics research and education, the department is well-positioned to prepare students for an environment where data and analytics are central to advancing health administration, policy, and practice to improve health outcomes and system performance. As an interprofessional college, we are best positioned to help integrate informatics into health education. This moment reflects both where the field is today and where it is headed,” said Melissa Perry, dean of the College of Public Health, which houses HAPI.
The addition of informatics to the department title reflects the expanding role of digital innovation and data-informed decision-making across health care delivery and policy. It also reinforces the college’s commitment to preparing graduates who can navigate and lead evolving health systems. This change builds on the department’s established strengths in health administration and policy.
“Health Administration, Policy, and Informatics reflects our commitment to advancing education that prepares the next generation of health care innovators to address today's challenges and harness technology to improve health and healthcare delivery,” said Panagiota Kitsantas, interim chair of the department. “Our programs are designed to prepare students not only to understand health systems and policies, but to transform them, using data and evidence to drive better decisions and outcomes.”
The name change also highlights the department’s notable contributions to research and workforce development at both the national and global levels. By continuing to strengthen the integration of informatics across its curriculum and research initiatives, the department is further enhancing its role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing health systems today, from efficiency and access to quality and equity.
HAPI offers five degree programs:
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PhD in Health Services Research
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Master of Health Administration (MHA) in Health Systems Management
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Master of Science in Health Informatics
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Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
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Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics
Together, these programs prepare graduates to lead across sectors, including health systems, government agencies, consulting, and health organizations, where interdisciplinary expertise is increasingly essential. Graduates will be better prepared for high-demand roles across health care, government, and industry where expertise in data and digital innovation is increasingly critical.
The name change has been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the George Mason University Board of Visitors. It does not affect the structure or accreditation of existing degree programs. Updated branding, including logos, will be introduced as part of the transition.
For more information, visit hapi.gmu.edu.