Deborah Olabisi
Graduation Year: 2023
Current Employer: Umass Chan Medical School
Current Position: Clinical Research Coordinator
What unique aspect of your program are you glad you experienced at SHU?
Sacred Heart University's Healthcare Informatics program put an emphasis on hands-on learning, particularly with real-world healthcare data and analytics projects. This allowed me to bridge my clinical background with data-driven, decision-making skills and provided me with a well-rounded experience that was challenging and applicable. SHU’s integration of practical tools, such as electronic health record systems and statistical software analysis, made the learning deeply relevant to modern healthcare challenges and enhanced my understanding of healthcare informatics from a clinician’s perspective.
How did your education at SHU prepare you for your career?
SHU prepared me exceptionally well for my role as a clinical research coordinator at UMass Chan by equipping me with technical and analytical skills necessary for data management, research and project coordination. The program’s curriculum, particularly the courses on data analytics and healthcare systems, has helped me design and implement research protocols, manage datasets and utilize data to support evidence-based outcomes. SHU's healthcare informatics program honed my technical capabilities and emphasized interdisciplinary communication, which has been invaluable when working alongside diverse healthcare and research teams.
Give an idea of the arc of your time at SHU from the day you arrived to the day you graduated.
When I started at SHU, I was excited yet unsure about how my medical background would blend with healthcare informatics. Initially, I had a steep learning curve as I delved into data analytics and information systems. However, the supportive faculty and collaborative learning environment eased the transition, and I quickly saw the connections between clinical care and informatics. Over the semesters, I became more confident in applying these new skills. By graduation, I was eager to bring a more data-driven approach to clinical research. The experience transformed my career path and deepened my understanding of how data can improve patient outcomes and healthcare processes.
Why would you recommend SHU to a prospective student?
I highly recommend SHU’s Healthcare Informatics program to anyone looking to make an impact at the intersection of healthcare and technology. The faculty are knowledgeable and genuinely invested in student success, and they provide insights that bridge academia and industry. SHU’s curriculum is comprehensive, covering everything from foundational informatics principles to advanced data analytics, which makes it a solid choice for students from diverse backgrounds. It’s a program that’s built for real-world application, and, for me, it was a transformative experience that opened new career pathways in healthcare.