![\"John](\"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/John-Nunez-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy SUNY Poly, and Why Now\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n John knew that advancing his career meant going back to school, but like many working professionals, flexibility was non-negotiable. \u201cI was already interested in getting a master\u2019s degree, but I needed something that would allow me to work full-time and still go to school,\u201d he says. With a strong school reputation and\u00a0a commitment\u00a0to embracing technology, SUNY Poly\u2019s Master of Science in Health Informatics stood out\u00a0immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The program\u2019s flexible structure made it possible for John to balance his career and education without compromise, something he credits as a key factor in his success.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Just as important, his employer supported his decision. With approximately 95% of his tuition covered through employer benefits, John was able to pursue his degree without the financial barriers that often come with graduate education.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A Program That Connects Technology and Care\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For John, pursuing the MS in Health Informatics\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0just about gaining\u00a0technical skills. It was about understanding how to use those skills to improve healthcare systems.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n He describes the field simply: \u201cHealth informatics is at the intersection of compassionate healthcare and technological innovation.\u201d Through his coursework and industry-responsive assignments, John has gained hands-on experience with data systems and standards in healthcare, predictive modeling and AI applications, and real-world problem solving tied to industry needs. More importantly, the program has helped him see the bigger picture: how data, systems, and people all connect to improve outcomes. \u201cIt\u2019s very cool to see things on the news that I\u2019m actually working on in person.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n John even had the opportunity to conduct graduate research along Dr. Jerome\u00a0Niyirora, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of the MS in Health Informatics, through the Health & Bioinformatics Lab. He credits this one-on-one research experience with building the skills needed to thrive in today\u2019s AI-driven world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Support That Makes a Difference\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One of the most impactful parts of John\u2019s experience has been the faculty. \u201cProfessors are always available to guide and encourage me,\u201d he says. Whether it was a quick email response, help navigating a complex assignment, or simply encouragement during a busy semester, John felt supported every step of the way. \u201cI\u2019ve even emailed back and forth with a professor throughout the weekend to ensure I understood the scope of an assignment correctly.\u201d That level of access and responsiveness made it easier to balance the demands of full-time work and graduate study.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe program faculty respect the whole student,\u201d meaning they see the many responsibilities students juggle and go\u00a0above and beyond\u00a0to help students advance toward their academic goals while encouraging them to prioritize their personal commitments such as family and work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n