Healthcare Informatics Innovation Illustrates Power of the Program and its Students

How has artificial intelligence impacted the industry?

All three winners focused on how to harness the power of AI. Koti’s poster examined the potential role of AI and machine learning to better diagnose early cases of Alzheimer’s. “By leveraging advanced techniques, like convolutional neural networks, speech analysis and genetic biomarkers, my research aimed to show how AI can detect subtle patterns that are often missed in traditional diagnostic methods,” Koti said.

Rahil Patel focused on AI’s role as an aid to radiologists in scanning and detecting breast cancer.

“The goal is not to replace human radiologists with AI but to use it as a complementary tool to help with radiologists’ workload and help patients with an early and accurate diagnosis,” he said. “Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide and has the second highest mortality rate worldwide. AI offers ways to significantly advance early identification techniques and thus lower the rates of diagnosis and death.”

Rutul Patel examined how medical imaging can be improved by integrating AI. He focused on telepathology, or the practice of diagnosing diseases such as cancer, by examining digital images of tissue samples sent electronically rather than looking at physical slides under a microscope. “I chose this topic based on firsthand experiences working in remote parts of India. In many of those locations, the only available resource was a pathology technician who would prepare slides and physically send them to better-equipped labs—often taking one to three days for results,” he said. “I saw how integrating AI to improve a telepathology system could have dramatically reduced turnaround times and improved patient care.”

What did these projects teach you about the future of the industry?

Koti learned how value-based care is becoming important. “AI tools like the ones I studied can help us spot diseases like Alzheimer’s earlier and tailor care to each individual,” she said. “It’s also very much in line with the shift toward value-based care, where the goal is to improve patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary treatments and costs.”

Similarly, Rahil Patel believes that the health care industry is moving toward technologies that improve patient experience, while keeping costs low. “Although it can sound like science fiction or magic, integrating AI into clinical practice could reduce these risks while also lowering the burden on health care systems,” he said. “This type of innovation is exactly where health care informatics can lead the way by transforming data into life-saving decisions.”

Rutul Patel noted that implementing technology in the right places in the medical field could do wonders for patients and professionals, especially with imaging. “As telepathology becomes more widely adopted, we can reduce interobserver variability, streamline workflows and continuously refine diagnostic algorithms,” he said. “This directly aligns with the goals of health care informatics: improving outcomes, optimizing efficiency and making care more equitable across diverse settings.”

What did this project teach you about yourself and your field of study?

All three students said the experience helped them to learn a great deal about themselves and the work they’ll soon do.

“This project reminded me why I transitioned from clinical work to health informatics: to solve real-world medical challenges using data and technology,” Rutul Patel said. “I learned that informatics isn’t just about systems and software. It has tangible implications on how we diagnose and treat disease.”

Koti said her project proved to be a cathartic experience. “I gained a sense of confidence and clarity in my direction,” she said. “I learned that health care informatics is not just about analysis, but also about empathy, innovation and impact.”

Rahil Patel, who went from being a physician to studying health care informatics, talked about his journey. “When I transitioned my career from a physician to pursue a master's in health care informatics, I was concerned that I would not save lives, as I would not be in the field treating patients,” he said. “I was wrong, I can make more impact and save more lives than ever by being part of implementing the right technology in health care.”

Ready to join the field of health care informatics?

Sacred Heart University’s Master of Science in healthcare informatics prepares the next generation of professionals by educating them in practical and scholarly research. Learn more about the healthcare informatics graduate program at Sacred Heart by reaching out to Lea DiStasio, director of graduate admissions & recruitment,  scheduling a meeting, emailing distasiol2@sacredheart.edu or calling 203-371-7884. Prospective international students should contact Edith Goutier, director of international admissions, by emailing goutiere@sacredheart.edu or calling +1-475-450-5714.

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