Medical Librarianship: Human Intelligence Behind Better Patient Care

In today’s AI-driven, sometimes uncertain, fast-paced information landscape, medical librarians and health information specialists are the strongest allies in healthcare. At Presbyterian Hospital, Amanda Okandan, medical librarian, is the quiet force behind many of those decisions—bringing clarity, precision, and compassion to the clinical teams she supports.

Michael Webster, Pharmacist Clinician, shares a powerful story that illustrates Amanda’s impact:

“A few weeks ago, I had a patient recovering from a partial lobectomy due to early-stage lung cancer. She was on long-term immunosuppression and was deeply concerned about the FDA’s black box warning on tacrolimus. She wanted to discontinue the medication immediately—without consulting her provider. I knew I needed solid literature to guide her, but the search was daunting. Amanda stepped in and performed a deep dive into the medical literature, pulling multiple articles that contextualized the risks and limitations of the data. Thanks to her, I was able to counsel the patient effectively and help her make an informed decision.”

Michael adds that Amanda’s responsiveness is unmatched—even when the request involves obscure articles or urgent patient-specific needs. Her ability to deliver exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed, makes her an indispensable part of the care team.

Amanda’s work as a medical librarian is a reminder that while technology continues to evolve, the human touch remains irreplaceable. Her ability to connect with clinicians, understand nuanced requests, and deliver high-quality information is a testament to the vital role medical librarians play in modern healthcare.

This National Medical Librarians Month, we celebrate how medical librarians and health information professionals provide essential partnerships in healthcare excellence. Share your impact story to join the celebration.