Prior to entering the MSQM: Health Analytics program, I had never taken a course in accounting or economics above the high school level. To become a physical therapist, I studied physics, biomechanics, anatomy and physiology. I practiced as a clinician for 11 years, developing leadership skills and assuming managerial roles within health care organizations. Today, I am a senior financial analyst for the same health care organization I treated patients with not too long ago. I wouldn’t call my route traditional, but decisions I have made along the way have placed me in the unique position I am in now—with endless opportunities in front of me.

Becoming a Data-Based Problem-Solver

As health care providers, physical therapists are trained in problem-solving. We understand the connection of an individual’s diagnosis with what limits their ability to function in their daily lives. Then, we devise plans to help them improve. This unique skillset translates well to health system administration, where complex problems arise and systematic solutions are required to coordinate transdisciplinary improvements. This innate characteristic and view of the world was a key driver in my decision to pursue the MSQM: HA program. As a health care leader, I wanted to understand the data that I was being provided to make meaningful decisions that would improve the care our patients received.

I was fascinated with the MSQM courses which bridged data and analytics training with managerial operations and finance curriculum. The program changed the way I understood problems facing our organization and the approaches I took to solve them. Despite this appreciation, I struggled to see how I could apply these new skills as a non-clinical clinician with no prior formal business background. Under the guidance of the Career Management Center (CMC), I soon came to understand what set me apart from others entering the field of business analytics.

Effective business analytics is rooted in understanding the problem at hand, but also in storytelling that frames meaningful information in ways that drive appropriate decision-making. In other words, complex information must be translated into an easy-to-follow story for the people who need it. As a clinician transitioning into business analytics for a health care provider, I am uniquely positioned to understand the needs and wants of the audience to whom I now provide data products and dashboards, as I was in their position not too long ago.

A Clinician First, Analyst Second

When I interviewed for my role as a financial analyst, I was asked how I would handle stepping away from patient care. I responded that I am—and always will be—a clinician first. Although I may no longer physically treat my patients, my goal remains to improve patient outcomes by increasing the value of the services we provide. Clinicians refer to their knowledge and skills acquired over the years as their “tools in the toolbox” for treating patients. Thanks to MSQM, my toolbox now includes data analytics. I can appreciate the downstream impact of operational decisions on frontline providers and the patients they treat. This unique perspective is invaluable as challenges faced by health care organizations continue to evolve.