The Fresno State Library announced an innovative addition to teaching and learning in health science: “Health Information Access and Management” is a new health informatics course taught by health sciences librarian, Shuyi Liu.

The course, newly offered in spring 2025, grants students the recognized Consumer Health Information Specialization certification from the Medical Library Association upon completion. This course makes Fresno State the first and only institution in California to offer this certification, setting a milestone for health information education in the Central Valley.

Designed for students pursuing careers in fields like health care, public health and information science, the course equips participants with skills to locate, evaluate, and communicate quality health information effectively. It addresses critical areas such as health literacy, misinformation and the importance of understanding health information behaviors, with an emphasis on promoting health equity and ethical handling of information.

“Access to accurate health information is a public health imperative, and I’m thrilled to see Fresno State Library leading the way in training the next generation of health information specialists,” Liu said. In collaboration with the Network of the National Library of Medicine , the course is structured to provide practical, community-centered strategies that empower students to deliver high-quality health information to diverse populations.

For those in health sciences, public health, nursing, social work, or information science, this course offers a unique skill set and professional certification that will prepare Fresno State students to excel in health science careers.