From Fieldwork to Dream Work: Lauren Pizzella, Master of Science in Health Informatics Class of 2025

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Introducing Lauren Pizzella!

Lauren is a recent graduate of the College of Health Profession’s (CHP) Bachelor of Science, Health Science program. She began her undergraduate career at a school that was over five hours away from her home in Westchester. When COVID-19 hit, she decided to transfer to. Pace University, allowing her to be closer to home and feel more at ease during uncertain times.

The decision to transfer drastically impacted Lauren in more ways than she could have imagined, including a decision to continue advancing her education. Lauren applied to the Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) at Pace and is on track to graduate in May 2025!

We connected with Lauren to learn about her experiences as a dual Pace degree student and the Health Science, BS and Health Informatics, MS programs from her point of view.

Why did you select the Health Science program? 

I have always been passionate about health topics and had always seen myself in a healthcare role; however, I wasn’t sure where I’d fit. I do not have the stomach for patient-facing roles but felt I could find a way into the health field that was still impactful and fulfilling for me. The Health Science program opened me up to many classes (health promotion and disease prevention, epidemiology, health IT, and many more) that showed me the different sides of healthcare that weren’t clinical, and because of that, I knew it was the right program for me.

What was your fieldwork like in your undergraduate career?

In my undergrad, I assisted Erica Gollub, DrPH, MPH, professor, with research on an HIV prevention device, specifically for women. This device was not approved by the FDA, despite the impact that it had made in South Africa. I researched the device and gathered literature for Dr. Gollub. Even after completing my field work, I continued to assist her with her research. She carried out a local study and I was able to help with data management, data entry, and survey validation.

Why did you decide to pursue a master's in health informatics?

Spring of 2022 I took an epidemiology course and a statistic course at the same time. I really enjoyed my stats class and taking it alongside the epidemiology course allowed me to see how I can implement what I was learning into the real world.

After talking with my professor, I attended the New York State Public Health Association (NYSPHA) Conference where I was introduced to Denise Tahara, PhD, MPhil, MBA, chair of the Health Science programs at Pace. I expressed my interests to her, and she told me about the MSHI program and thought it would be a great fit for me. After researching the field, I decided to apply to the program.

Do you think Health Informatics is the future of STEM in healthcare?

Yes, absolutely! Health informatics is the foundation of quality improvements, operations, research, and overall decision making in institutions. In addition, many institutions are required to report information for compliance and ranking purposes, which relies heavily on health informatics.

What was your graduate program fieldwork experience like?

In the MSHI program fieldwork, I was a transplant data coordinator intern at Westchester medical center in Valhalla. I frequently helped with audits relating to transplant-specific quality standards established by the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS). I assisted with various physician research projects and began the journey of learning new reporting tools such as Tableau and PowerBI.

How has Pace supported you during both of your degree programs? 

During my undergrad, my professors were a major support system for me. They were always willing to help, whether it was for academics, or professional advice. For my graduate experience, prior to securing my internship at Westchester Medical Center (WMC), I frequented the Career Services Center where I met with Stewart Ault a career counselor for the College of Health Professions. He helped me professionalize my resume, improve my interview and networking skills, and overall build confidence as a young professional.

Dr. Taraha was a major support through these experiences. Over the years, she continues to frequently check in to see how I am doing and if I am enjoying the program. She is always looking for new opportunities for her students, and really pushes us to be involved and gain valuable experiences.

We heard that you have started to work full time at WMC! What was it like going from a fieldwork placement to a full-time position with the same organization?

Going from a fieldwork placement to working full time at WMC allowed for an easy, comfortable transition. I already had a foundation of transplant knowledge to bring to the table, giving me the ability to pick things up quickly when being assigned to my first project.

Following that, my manager gained an understanding of my skills and abilities, so I was able to become involved in projects earlier than if I hadn’t been here previously. I was able to come in with my established professional relationship, and I was very comfortable in the environment.

Any advice for undergraduate and graduate students?

Don’t feel pressured to have it all figured out, do what you enjoy, connect with your peers and professors, and do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! If you follow what makes you happy, the rest will come! We grow through discomfort!

—Lauren Pizzella, Class of 2025

What do you think is important to share with someone interested in joining the MSHI program?

If you are considering MSHI, know it is a great program that truly opens the door for many opportunities. Throughout the program you will be introduced to different areas (e.g. clinical systems, database management, evidence-based research for health informatics) of healthcare that identify the many ways health informatics can make a difference. I am confident that you will obtain a unique set of skills many organizations and employers are eager to find!

Anything else you'd like to share?

Pace University gave me the knowledge, support, and opportunities to be the young professional I am today. I worked as a student in the Organizational Planning, Assessment/ Institutional Research (OPAIR) department as an institutional research analyst for almost three years!

I learned key skills in analytics and research will also fine tuning my soft skills in communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. This role at Pace allowed me to gain real-world professional work experience with the knowledge, support, and opportunities that served as an additional major contributor to who I am as a young professional today.