Her Story
About Cherrie
Cherrie Murphy is an accomplished healthcare information technology leader serving as IT Director and Information Security Officer at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, Mississippi. With 30 years of experience in healthcare, Murphy began her career on the clinical side in 1996 before transitioning into healthcare information technology, where she has spent more than 25 years. She brings extensive expertise in hospital IT operations, clinical applications, infrastructure, cybersecurity, information security, electronic health records, disaster recovery, and technology transformation. Murphy views healthcare IT as an extension of patient care, emphasizing that IT professionals serve patients in a hands-off capacity by ensuring clinicians have the technology, systems, and information they need to deliver quality care.
Throughout her career, Murphy has developed a reputation for team building, mentoring, and helping IT professionals advance their careers. She has extensive experience with EHR platforms, particularly Epic, and has witnessed the evolution of electronic medical records from their early stages into today’s highly integrated healthcare environments. In addition to her hospital leadership, Murphy has approximately 15 years of consulting experience, including work with McKesson and a decade operating her own consulting practice, where she worked with emerging professionals and healthcare organizations on technology initiatives. Her professional development includes HIPAA Professional certification through American Health Partners and cybersecurity training through ISC2, and she is currently working toward her CISSP certification, which she expects to complete by summer 2027. She is also engaged with the Health Sector Coordinating Council, 229 Project, and Health-ISAC.
Murphy attributes much of her success to the people who believed in her and encouraged her to recognize her own capabilities. She brings that same commitment to encouragement and professional development to the teams she leads, while remaining adaptable in an industry defined by continual technological and healthcare changes. Integrity and accountability are central to her professional philosophy, and she believes strongly in speaking up when something is not right and advocating for positive change. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Murphy gives back to her community through volunteer work with the Southwest Child Advocacy Center, reflecting her longstanding commitment to supporting patients, healthcare professionals, and the communities they serve.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cherrie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the people who believed in me, especially during times when I did not believe in myself. Their encouragement, confidence, and willingness to see my potential helped me grow both personally and professionally. Their belief in me motivated me to step outside my comfort zone, embrace new opportunities, and continue moving forward even when I doubted my abilities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never walk into a room and allow anyone to shrink you. I’ve learned to recognize my value, trust my experience, and confidently bring my voice and perspective to every conversation. Regardless of the environment or who is in the room, I believe in standing confidently in who I am and what I bring to the table.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the healthcare IT industry is to never underestimate yourself or the value you bring to the table. Do not be afraid to speak up, ask questions, share your ideas, and advocate for yourself and others. Most importantly, never make yourself small to fit into a room or situation. Be confident in your knowledge, trust your abilities, and give yourself permission to grow into every opportunity.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare IT, particularly in rural hospitals, is the financial pressure and limited resources available to support technology, cybersecurity, and ongoing innovation. At the same time, I believe the opportunities in healthcare IT are virtually endless. Technology continues to evolve, creating new ways to improve healthcare delivery, strengthen security, and support patients and providers. My approach is to remain open to change, recognize opportunities as they arise, and make the most of the opportunities presented to me.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the value that guides me most in both my professional and personal life. To me, integrity means doing the right thing, being willing to admit when I am wrong, and taking accountability for my actions. It also means having the courage to speak up when I believe something is not right, even when doing so may be difficult.
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