Mary Lucas
Excellence in Graduate Study Award Recipient and Nurse Mary Lucas Gains Valuable Health Informatics Expertise Through MSCIS That Propels Career Pivot
Mary M. Lucas
RN Care
Management Coordinator, Independence Blue Cross
Master of Science in Computer Information Systems, concentration in Health Informatics and Data Analytics (MET’20)
What do you find most fascinating about the discipline of computer information systems? Do you have a particular focus within the broader field?
I am very interested in the intersection of computer information systems and healthcare. A lot of data is generated every time an individual interfaces with any part of the healthcare system, whether it’s a doctor’s visit, a lab visit, a hospital stay, or filling a prescription at the pharmacy. As a registered nurse with many years of experience in emergency and trauma nursing, I am intrigued by the ways all this data can be used to inform public health efforts and clinical care. I also find fascinating applications in the areas of machine learning, predictive diagnostics and precision medicine, among others.
Did you always intend on going back to school, or did the need arise at a particular moment?
I was looking for ways to bring together my experience in healthcare with my interest in computers and data science. When I learned about BU MET’s Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS) program, I knew I’d found what I needed to help me finally merge these interests and begin to build a foundation to really work on the things that stimulate me.
Congratulations on your high achievement in the Master of Science in Computer Information Systems program and your Award for Excellence in your studies! Looking back, what do you consider to be the main ingredients of your success?
I believe the main ingredients of my success were focus, hard work, putting in the time, practicing everything I learned, reading widely across many disciplines, and learning as much as I could about every topic introduced in my various classes. Having a supportive partner was also crucial to getting through the program.
How were you able to balance your studies with your commitments outside the classroom?
I went into the program aware that it was one of the most rigorous in the field, and I knew I would have to put in the time to get what I wanted out of it. I opted to do a double specialization (Health Informatics and Data Analytics), so I was mentally prepared for it to be extra taxing on me. I set myself a schedule where I tried to consistently wake up a few hours earlier than usual every weekday, and dedicated that time to my schoolwork before going to my job. I set aside every Saturday as a study day and Sunday mornings for any leftover studying or reading, and left Sunday afternoons and evenings free for rest and recuperation. I wasn’t always successful, but having some kind of routine was very helpful. It meant I had to pick and choose which activities to sacrifice to allow me the time to work and study and not burn myself out in the process. I think that was the hardest part.
Was your success in the program driven by a particular outcome—such as professional advancement, educational achievement, personal satisfaction, or something else?
I think the main drivers for me were wanting to learn as much as I could about my field of interest, building myself a solid foundation for my future pursuits in data science, and the personal satisfaction I would gain from completing the program successfully.
Is there a particular course or project that enhanced your experience in the MSCIS program?
It’s impossible to pick just one. All the courses and professors and facilitators were excellent, and what I gained from each was invaluable. If I had to highlight any courses in particular, they would have to be Data Mining (MET CS 699) and the machine learning term project we did in that class, as well as Health Informatics (MET CS 580), which gave me a solid foundation for the health informatics portion of the program.
How do you plan to apply the skills and competencies you gained during your studies moving forward? What is next in store for you?
I intend to apply the skills and competencies gained from the program as a healthcare data scientist. I am currently an active member of BU MET’s Health Informatics Lab (HILab) assisting with team research projects, and I’m also involved in some independent projects. On the job front, I’m hoping and looking forward to transitioning from my current position to a data scientist role in the healthcare industry, either as a researcher or a practitioner, bringing the combination of my data science skills and my domain knowledge in healthcare to bear on problems of patient care, public health, etc. I also hope to enter a doctoral program in the near future.
You were recognized by faculty and peers for your hard work and dedication to the MSCIS program. What “words of advice” or encouragement have served as a guiding principle, or simply inspiration, for you?
This quote by James Clear from his book, Atomic Habits: “The secret to getting results that last is to never stop making improvements. It’s remarkable what you can build if you just don’t stop.”
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just a big thank you to all the faculty, facilitators, and staff at the BU MET CIS program for the work you put in every day to help students, to impart knowledge, to build future scholars and scientists and practitioners. Thank you.