Steven H. Ton
Educator • Internship Director • Health IT Project Leader
Associate Instructor
Internship Director
Health IT Project Leader
Steven Ton
Health information technology educator and internship director with over a decade of experience leading academic programs, building partnerships, and implementing electronic health record and enterprise information systems at the University of Central Florida. Skilled in curriculum innovation, project leadership, and mentoring students for success in the health IT workforce.
What I Do
Photos
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Summary
Health Information Technology educator and internship director with over a decade of experience advancing academic programs, fostering industry partnerships, and integrating electronic health record and enterprise information systems. Demonstrated expertise in curriculum innovation, instructional design, and the use of technology to enhance student learning. Proven track record of mentoring and preparing students for successful careers in the health IT workforce through experiential learning, internship placements, and applied projects. Recognized for leadership in program development, dedication to student success, and commitment to aligning education with the evolving needs of healthcare organizations and the broader health information management profession.
Education
2011
University of Central Florida
Master of Science (MS) in Healthcare Informatics
Outstanding Student Award
2008
University of California Irvine
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Neurobiology and Behavior
Robert H. Avnet Award for Biological Sciences
Academic Appointments
Aug 2020 – Present
University of Central FloridaAssociate Instructor
Teach and develop courses in electronic health records, health data standards, analytics, and project management. Direct the internship program, building partnerships with healthcare organizations and mentoring students for success in the health IT workforce. Lead curriculum innovations and applied IT projects that bridge academic instruction with real-world practice.
Oct 2014 – Present
University of Central FloridaInternship Director
Provide strategic oversight of internship operations, including site evaluations, contract negotiation and management, student advising, and competency tracking to ensure program effectiveness and accreditation compliance.
Build and sustain partnerships to expand placement opportunities, align projects with program requirements, and enhance student career readiness. Advise students on workplace conduct and internship strategies to support both academic success and long-term employability.
Teaching Experience
Instructor of Record for Graduate Courses
HIM6927: Healthcare Informatics Internship Orientation
HIM6947: Healthcare Informatics Internship
Instructor of Record for Undergraduate Courses
HSA4191: Fundamentals of Health Information Technology
HIM4998: Management Affiliation Orientation
HIM4838: Management Affiliation
University and College Service
May 2018 – Present
College of Community Innovation and EducationProject and Technical Lead
QuantumIT InPlaceSoftware for the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE)
- Collaborated across multiple units in CCIE to evaluate systems and recommend the top product; presented options to the Dean, who appointed me as project manager for implementation.
- Directed technical integration with UCF enterprise systems (PeopleSoft, single sign-on), ensuring secure and seamless data exchange.
- Provide ongoing technical leadership, vendor management, and system customization to support accreditation standards and evolving program requirements.
- Strengthened experiential learning infrastructure by optimizing tracking, approval, and reporting workflows for hundreds of student internships annually.
Departmental Service
Sept 2024 – Present
Salesforce Information Technology, RFPTechnical Lead
- Lead strategy and requirements development for a Salesforce-based internship management system.
- Evaluate vendor proposals, ensure security compliance, and guide system design for scalability and long-term adoption.
Jul 2023 – Sept 2024
Invado Solutions ImplementationProject Lead
- Directed system implementation, data migration, and vendor coordination.
- Developed faculty training and streamlined workflows, automation and reporting to improve usability.
Jul 2023 – Present
UCF – Orlando Health EPIC EHR PartnershipMember
- Represent UCF in the Orlando Health EPIC training partnership, collaborating on the design and delivery of interactive training materials.
- Provide insight into UCF’s functional requirements, making recommendations on hosting and optimizing rich media to enhance instructional delivery
Sep 2023 – Aug 2024
SCORM Canvas LMS Integration TeamTechnical Lead
- Advocated for instructional value of SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) integration to UCF leadership.
- Resolved security concerns with IT and CDL, successfully restoring SCORM functionality to enable Orlando Health EPIC training modules and strengthen the partnership.
Jan 2023
Teaching Advisory CommitteeMember
Feb 2021
Graduate Curriculum CommitteePresenter
- Presented curriculum updates and advocated for creation of a dedicated pre-internship course, emphasized the need to provide students sufficient time to secure meaningful placements that strengthen professional readiness and employability.
Feb 2021
Masters Healthcare Informatics Student Admissions CommitteeMember
2017 – 2020
Intelligent Health Association (IHA) at HIMSS ConferencesProgram Manager and UCF Student Director
- Ensured the success of the Intelligent Health Pavilion by coordinating UCF student participation, optimizing engagement opportunities, and managing onsite logistics.
- Supervised student training on vendor technologies and facilitated hands-on experience with emerging health IT solutions, aligning students’ interests with vendor products and services to create mutually beneficial outcomes.
2017 – 2019
COHPA Competencies and Outcomes ProjectProject Lead
- Identified an opportunity to enhance program directors’ ability to audit the use and application of competencies across their programs.
- Designed and developed an audit tool for faculty and program directors to track and monitor competency deployment within courses.
- Built the system in PeopleCode with integration into UCF’s LMS (Canvas), enabling real-time performance dashboards for both students and faculty.
- Directed overall development of the competency management tool for college-wide outcomes tracking and compliance reporting.
2016 – 2018
AdventHealth– UCF Open House Planning CommitteeMember
- Supported planning of joint AdventHealth–UCF recruitment and outreach events.
- Helped coordinate logistics, student engagement, and promotional materials.
2016
Health Services Administration Internship Coordinator Search CommitteeMember
- Advised on desired qualifications and functional responsibilities for the internship coordinator role.
- Supported candidate evaluation and provided recommendations to inform the final selection.
Oct 2015
EHR Selection Committee for UCF Health Services (formerly UCF Pegasus Health)Analyst
- Conducted EHR vendors evaluations and advised on workflow design, regulatory compliance, and training requirements.
- Ensured system capabilities aligned with the needs of both administrative and clinical users.
Oct 2015
MS Healthcare Informatics Search CommitteeMember
Nov 2015
Undergraduate Course Review CommitteePresenter
Professional Service
Apr 2018 – Apr 2019
EnvatoApopka Farmworkers Clinic - MedPACtEHR Consultant
- Advised a nonprofit clinic on EHR selection, implementation, and workflow redesign with zero budget.
- Provided technical support for networking, firewall, and data security.
- Supported go-live operations, offering real-time troubleshooting and user training.
2012
HIMSS Health Information Exchange Common Practices SurveyData Analyst
- Analyzed national survey data on health information exchange (HIE) adoption practices.
- Contributed findings to HIMSS reports highlighting trends in interoperability and provider adoption.
May 2013
Regional Extension Center’s Meaningful Use Implementation CommitteeMember
- Served as subject matter expert on EHR adoption and federal Meaningful Use requirements.
- Assisted in guiding implementation strategies for Central Florida healthcare providers.
May 2013
HealthARCH – FL State HIE CommitteeProject Lead
- Directed UCF HealthARCH’s contribution to the Florida State Health Information Exchange.
- Developed strategies enabling Florida providers using disparate EHR systems to connect to and share data with the statewide HIE.
Jun 2013
Implementation Strategy for FL Direct Secure Messaging for Small Medical PracticesProject Lead
- Designed deployment strategy for secure messaging services to improve care coordination.
- Trained providers on adoption and compliance with federal secure communication standards.
Jul 2013
HealthARCH Million Hearts Augmented Reality (AR) CampaignProject Lead
- Led development and deployment of augmented reality education tools for the Million Hearts Campaign.
- Presented project outcomes in Washington, D.C., ONC conference highlighting innovative use of AR in patient engagement.
Jul 2013
Central Florida RHIO’s Technical WorkgroupMember
- Participated in regional health information exchange planning, provided technical expertise on interoperability and data governance.
Aug 2013
UCF Regional Extension Center’s (REC) Post–Grant Sustainability CommitteeMember
- Contributed to strategies for financial and operational sustainability following the conclusion of federal REC grants.
2013
Children’s Home Society of Florida EHR Technology CommitteeProject and RFP Manager
- Directed RFP process for Children’s Home Society’s EHR system selection.
- Evaluated vendor proposals, coordinated multi-stakeholder input, and ensured compliance with clinical and administrative requirements.
- Presented recommendations to executive leadership, shaping the organization’s technology strategy and implementation path.
Awards and Honors
May 2011
Masters Healthcare InformaticsOutstanding Student Award
Jun 2008
UCI Neuriology and BehaviorRobert H. Avnet Award for Biological Sciences
Professional Development
Jul 2015
$800 AwardFCTL Summer Conference Grant
Jan 2015
$2500 AwardIDL6543 Professional Development for Online Teaching
Certifications
2013 - 2016
CompTIA A+ Certified
The Computing Technology Industry Association
Jul 2013
CHTS Implementation Manager
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Publications
1. Ton, S. (2014, Aug.). Using Augmented Reality for Health Education. Office of the National Coordinator’s National Conference, Washington, D.C.
2. Ton, S. (2014, Feb.). What is Health Information Exchange and Why We Need It? UCF Regional Extension Center’s Technology Conference, Orlando, FL.
Posters
1. Ton, S., Hou, S., Gonzalez, J. (2021). Pivoting Health Informatics and Administration Internships during COVID–19. AUPHA Annual Conference 2021, 2021
Panels and Webinars
1. Dixon, K., Fuentes, E., Gonzalez, J., Elswick, S, Ton, S. (2021, Aug) Professionalism and Career Prep [Panel Presentation]. Webinar, UCF School of Global Health Management and Informatics. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbRaEAAucUE
2. Duong, P., Quintana, I., Noblin, A., Elswick, S, Ton, S. (2021, Aug) Partnerships in Healthcare [Panel Presentation]. Webinar, UCF School of Global Health Management and Informatics. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AJuLYurtiY
Industry / Professional Experience (Selected)
May 2013 – Sept 2013
UCF HealthARCH - UCF College of Medicine, Orlando, FLAssistant Director of Information Technology
- Led IT initiatives to ensure provider compliance with ONC Meaningful Use requirements, standardize workflows, and support organizational goals.
- Recommended technologies to guide analysts in helping small practice providers adopt and implement EHR systems.
May 2012 – May 2013
UCF HealthARCH - UCF College of Medicine, Orlando, FLBusiness Development Strategist
- Directed initiatives to expand client base, create fee-for-service programs, and launch new revenue streams through strategic partnerships.
Dec 2010 – May 2012
UCF HealthARCH - UCF College of Medicine, Orlando, FLClinical Analyst
- Supported physician practices in EHR adoption and Meaningful Use compliance, serving as a subject matter expert in workflow analysis, process redesign, and practice optimization through health IT.
Mar 2010 – Dec 2010
NCG Medical, Inc., Orlando, FLElectronic Health Records Systems Analyst
- Developed, tested, and deployed proprietary EHR systems; configured customized solutions based on individual client needs.
Sept 2008 – Present
Lili Lam O.D. & Associates, P.A., Orlando, FLChief Technology Officer
- Co-founded and built private optometry practice, overseeing incorporation, IT infrastructure, and in-house development of proprietary practice management and EHR systems.
- Directed operations across staffing, compliance, contracting, accounting, and reporting, while managing all IT functions to ensure sustainable growth and regulatory compliance.
Student Reviews
Selected Student Feedback on Innovation and Impact (2025)
This page highlights curated student feedback from University of Central Florida’s Student Perception of Instruction (SPI) surveys, spanning Fall 2020 – Summer 2024.
Comments illustrate teaching innovations, impact on student learning, dedication to student success, and exceptional praise.
Each quote includes course and semester for verification.
Innovation in Teaching Methods
“The professor gave recorded narration that accompanied PowerPoint slides for each module — extremely helpful for understanding and retaining the information.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2024“I appreciated that Professor Ton included narration with his PowerPoint slides. It made the course more engaging.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2023“The instructor’s inventive use of a PowerPoint video… considerably improved my understanding of the subject matter. I wholeheartedly suggest this course with this instructor to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of the subject.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2023“The course was very informative, and the instructor made it so much easy by narrating the PowerPoint slides. It felt more like an in-class course.”
— HSA4191, Spring 2022
Impact on Student Learning
“I appreciate how organized the course was, the time intervals of due dates, the different formats of learning (chapters, slides, recorded audio teaching)… The term paper really tested my knowledge, thought process and research abilities.”
— HSA4191, Spring 2025“My instructor masterfully combined theoretical concepts with practical applications that were engaging and relevant.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2024“The assignments helped me understand topics more and it was helpful for the term paper there was a sample to help guide us.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2023“Professor Ton went to great lengths to give his students a detailed explanation on his term paper. This allowed us to focus more on the information.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2022“Professor Ton was very supportive and made my internship experience great! I learned so much throughout the experience.”
— HIM4838, Spring 2022“The internship class has taught me a lot about how to apply what I have learned throughout my UCF journey into my career. Professor Ton was very helpful and very organized.”
— HIM4838, Summer 2021“Professor was incredible! I loved the way he explained the topics and brought current events into the lecture.”
— HSA4191, Spring 2021
Dedication to Student Success
“Professor Ton assisted with getting me a great internship, and I was happy with where I was.”
— HIM4838, Spring 2024“I love the fact that the instructor had the course self-paced with deadlines… He was very helpful and quick to respond when I reached out… I don’t know of any professor that would do that.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2024“The professor was always responsive and tweaked the next lesson’s format to address concerns we had.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2024“Mr. Ton was extremely understanding and patient with me. He helped me so much with landing my internship, I could not have done it without him.”
— HIM4838, Summer 2023“Professor Ton was always available through email or Zoom… very prompt in responding… encouraging and positive, giving hope to his students.”
— HIM4998, Spring 2023“The best part of this course was without a doubt the instructor. Professor Ton showed consistent interest in the well-being of his class, both in and out of the classroom. He sent several emails during the semester to ensure that myself, and other students, were not falling behind.”
— HSA4191, Spring 2021“He was the first and only professor that narrated their PowerPoints… He also was very compassionate and checked in when I was going through a tough loss in the family.”
— HSA4191, Fall 2020
Exceptional Student Praise
“He teaches so well. I am so glad to have him this semester.”
— HSA4191, Fall 2023“Love him.”
— HSA4191, Fall 2023“Keep being such a great Professor!”
— HSA4191, Fall 2023“Mr. Ton needed to be given the best teacher award.”
— HSA4191, Fall 2024“He is so caring and actually feels for his students. I believe this is the best professor I have ever had and he deserves the world.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2024“Dr. Steven Ton is an incredible professor… He is one of the best professors I’ve had in college so far.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2023“This class was perfect!! I would definitely take it again.”
— HSA4191, Summer 2022“Professor Ton is outstanding in explaining everything that is needed and goes the extra mile to help students.”
— HIM4998, Summer 2022“He is the best professor UCF has.”
— HIM4998, Spring 2022“High quality lectures, high quality quizzes, high quality prof… best experience at UCF so far.”
— HSA4191, Fall 2022“One of the best professors I have had at UCF. His course was well taught and informative and he really cares for his students.”
— HSA4191, Spring 2021“This was the best online class I have ever took. Prof. Ton really took the time to narrate his PowerPoints so it made me feel like I was in a real classroom being lectured… He truly takes the time to go out of his way to give his students the best online class experience.”
— HSA4191, Fall 2020
Summary of Student Feedback
Innovation: Narrated lectures, inventive multimedia tools, and responsive course design.
Impact: Students report clearer understanding, improved confidence, and deeper appreciation for Health Information Technology.
Student-Centeredness: Compassion, responsiveness, and personalized support across online and internship-based learning.
High Praise: Students describe Professor Ton as the best professor at UCF, recommend him for awards, and recognize his passion and excellence.
