Anand Harsha Dodda ‘25
Program: MS in Healthcare Informatics
Year of Graduation: 2025
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Graduate SHUdent Spotlight: MS in Healthcare Informatics is Next Step in Career Journey
International student is grateful for ‘lifetime opportunity’ to earn degree at Sacred Heart
Anand Harsha Dodda was enjoying a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry in his home country of India when he decided he wanted something more. The challenge of learning a new skill was part of that desire, as was building a secure future for his family.
Dodda redirected his career toward healthcare informatics, an interdisciplinary field of study that uses technology to organize, analyze, manage and use information to improve healthcare. This mid-career shift has allowed him to continue to contribute toward improved patient care and health outcomes but also expand his possibilities. In April, this father of two began classes at SHU as an international graduate student.
In June, he plans to graduate from SHU with a master’s degree in healthcare informatics through the College of Health Professions (CHP) and hopes to secure a job in the United States so he can relocate his family. Dodda shares what drew him to SHU’s healthcare informatics program and his aspirations for a career in this field.
Why did you decide on Sacred Heart University?
After I earned my bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at Kakatiya University in India, my wish had been to also earn a master’s degree in the United States. So, while it took some time, once I made the commitment to pursue this path, my wife and I looked at many different programs. We screened more than 200 colleges in the United States, narrowed it down to 10 and applied to two. I chose to study at Sacred Heart University because it was one of the top colleges in Connecticut, and it worked best for my family in terms of the time and financial commitments needed to complete the program. I’m happy I came here, as SHU has become incredibly special to me and close to my heart because of the support and education I have received here.
What is your favorite part of the healthcare informatics program, and what is the best part of your overall experience at SHU?
My experience at SHU has been fantastic. The program is top-notch because of the care put into the design of the curriculum and the quality of the teaching. The professors, including Stephen Burrows (program director), Jessie Joseph, Tobi Ojo and Cristina Mills, have been extremely helpful in mapping out our academic goals and career goals. They are reachable and accessible. They are inspirational to many.
I appreciate that the curriculum is laid out effectively and efficiently. What you learn in the first semester provides you with skills and information you need for the second semester. The skills you learn in the second semester are linked with what you learn in the third semester. This efficiency and quality of instruction is very much appreciated when you are away from home and family and are assessing the time and money needed to earn a master’s degree.
Why Should I Get a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Informatics from Sacred Heart University?
Read MoreWhat do you aspire to be one once you graduate from SHU?
Because of my experience and knowledge, I want to work in the health care industry where I can contribute to the success of the organization. I would like to work as a health informatician in a hospital or in another health care sector where I can promote the success and wellbeing of patients.
What are the benefits of a SHU education?
Sacred Heart University truly focuses on student well-being and success, even well after graduation. SHU has provided me with excellent career development support. The team at the Center for Career & Professional Development, including Stephen Marks, Amanda Shaw and Cicely Poggi-Gedacht play an important role in supporting international students and guiding them toward the path to success. They provide comprehensive career support, including help with internship searches and resume writing. They really go out of their way to help students succeed.
What resources at SHU have helped you to achieve your academic and career goals?
My adviser, Brittany Schweig (graduate student adviser for the CHP Academic Advising Team) has been instrumental in shaping my experience at SHU and providing academic support. She has helped me to tap resources and foster connections throughout the SHU community and beyond.
Brittany played an important role in my life—emphasizing making connections at school and how connections play a significant role in school and after school. She explained to me the importance of attending campus events and making connections.
I also recently started working as a graduate assistant for the CHP Academic Advising Team, serving as a peer adviser. In that role, I help new international students navigate the transition to university life. I love helping others who are new to campus because I was in the same situation when I came here as a student.
Interested in learning more about the MS in Healthcare Informatics at Sacred Heart?
Sacred Heart’s Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics is a unique combination of real-world lessons and scholarly research. The program is well-suited for working professionals with prior experience in health care IT, health care professionals without an IT background and IT professionals with minimal or no health care experience.
Faculty with extensive medical IT experience have designed a curriculum that educates students through practical and theoretical approaches and the latest best practices. You can learn more about the MS in Healthcare Informatics by contacting the director of international admissions, Edith Goutier, emailing goutiere@sacredheart.edu or by calling 475-450-5714.
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