How an MS in Health Informatics Opens Career Opportunities

Expanding Healthcare Expertise with an Advanced Degree

Marjorie Hunt began her career with a bachelor’s in healthcare administration, which helped her secure a strong position in the field. After two years, she felt compelled to deepen her expertise and explore the intersection of healthcare and technology. 

When she learned about The University of Scranton’s online Health Informatics MS, she saw an opportunity to develop specialized skills that could enhance healthcare at a larger scale. With a passion for analytics and technology, she recognized the program’s potential to transform her career. 

She chose this program for its strong industry reputation, flexible online format, and pursuit of CAHIIM accreditation -- which the program has now achieved. She also valued its career-focused curriculum, allowing her to apply newly learned skills directly to her job before even graduating.

Applying Health Informatics to Real-World Healthcare Challenges

While earning her MS in Health Informatics online, Hunt took on a role managing credentialing tasks for OB-GYN physicians. As she advanced in the program, she expanded her responsibilities into risk management, analyzing physician malpractice cases to identify trends and improve patient outcomes. 

Leveraging her coursework, she developed a custom dashboard to track malpractice cases, which she presented in committee meetings to help determine workflow improvements. 

"I learned how every area of healthcare is impacted by information systems, from implementation to maintenance,” she explains. “This knowledge allowed me to contribute valuable insights during team meetings." 

Soon, Hunt’s expertise in health informatics systems caught the attention of other teams. The risk management and credentialing teams at Unified Women’s Healthcare invited her to collaborate on reporting and analytics – demonstrating the immediate career impact of her degree.

Improving Patient Outcomes with Data Analytics

For her capstone project, Hunt chose to conduct research within her own organization. Under the guidance of Scranton faculty members, she successfully integrated Scranton’s program into her workplace, strengthening connections between the university and Unified Women’s Healthcare. 

Her project focused on how social determinants of health impact patient care, insurance providers, and medical group operations. Using her company’s electronic health record (EHR) system, she: 

• Pulled patient population reports to analyze demographics 

• Identified high-risk patients in need of specialized care 

• Found a gap in resources for eating disorders 

Hunt’s research had an immediate impact — within a week of presenting her findings, the company connected three patients to critical eating disorder resources. 

The project remains ongoing, helping the organization refine marketing strategies and outreach efforts to better support vulnerable patient groups. Hunt updates the report every six months to track progress and adjust strategies for improved outcomes. 

Key Benefits of Scranton’s MS in Health Informatics

Hunt credits Scranton’s program with providing a comprehensive view of health informatics, covering everything from governance to technology. By the time she reached her capstone project, she felt prepared to make a meaningful impact in multiple healthcare departments. 

She appreciated the following characteristics of the program: 

Flexible Online Learning

The program’s asynchronous coursework allowed her to balance full-time work with her studies. "Assignments were available at the beginning of the week, giving me the flexibility to complete them on my own schedule," she explains. 

Supportive Learning Environment

Beyond the curriculum, she valued the strong community engagement within Scranton’s online program. "Even in a virtual setting, I felt welcomed and supported by my professors and classmates," she says. 

Why Choose an MS in Health Informatics?

Scranton’s MS in Health Informatics online program prepares students for wide range of career paths in healthcare data analytics, such as: 

• Electronic health record (EHR) management 

• Risk and compliance management 

• Project management in health IT 

Hunt’s career has grown tremendously since completing her degree. She now collaborates across departments, influencing clinical decision making and patient care strategies. 

Like her, you don’t need an IT background to succeed in this program. Whether your goal is to improve data-driven decision making, enhance patient care workflows, or advance in health care technology, this degree equips you with the skills to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Advance Your Career with an MS in Health Informatics

The healthcare industry continues to evolve, making health informatics professionals more valuable than ever. An MS in Health Informatics from Scranton prepares you to drive change and improve healthcare through technology and data. 

Explore the MS in Health Informatics program today!