![\"Tammy](\"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tammy-So-Professional-Headshot.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA New Direction in Healthcare\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tammy\u2019s academic background reflects her deep commitment to healthcare.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from SUNY Oneonta, followed by an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wagner College. While many in her position might continue into a traditional graduate nursing program, Tammy chose a different path. \u201cI wasn\u2019t interested in other graduate nursing degrees,\u201d she explains. \u201cI wanted to try something different.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n That \u201csomething different\u201d was health informatics\u2014a field that blends healthcare, data, and technology to improve outcomes at scale. With a natural interest in technology and computers, the transition felt like the right next step.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Why SUNY Poly\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For Tammy, finding the right graduate program meant finding one that\u00a0fit\u00a0her life, not the other way around.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n She chose SUNY Polytechnic Institute\u2019s MS in Health Informatics because of its fully online format and clear structure. \u201cI liked that the program laid out sample courses for each semester,\u201d she says. \u201cIt helped me understand exactly what to expect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Even more important was\u00a0the flexibility. \u201cThe program has been very flexible. All lectures are recorded and can be reviewed at any time,\u201d Tammy shares. \u201cThat\u2019s been especially helpful as a full-time employee and full-time student.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Balancing It All\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tammy\u2019s journey\u00a0hasn\u2019t\u00a0been easy. While pursuing her degree, she has balanced a full-time role as a registered nurse, a full-time graduate course load, and even training for the New York City Marathon\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n At times, the pressure was overwhelming. \u201cThere was a point in my first semester where I thought about dropping out,\u201d she admits. But she\u00a0didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Through careful time management, prioritization, and an unwavering commitment to her goals, Tammy pushed through. \u201cI kept an organized calendar and made school my priority,\u201d she says. \u201cExercising also helped me clear my mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n That resilience has defined her\u00a0experience,\u00a0and her success.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Learning That Shapes the Future\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One of the most transformative parts of Tammy\u2019s journey has been her work as a graduate research assistant in the Health Informatics program.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Working alongside faculty, including Dr. Jerome Niyirora, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of the MS in Health Informatics, she has contributed to the development of an end-to-end data pipeline designed to support scalable data storage, rapid cohort definition, reproducible feature engineering, and genotype\u2013phenotype analysis for machine learning and biomarker discovery.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Through this experience, Tammy discovered what\u00a0truly excites\u00a0her. \u201cWorking on this genome project helped me realize what I\u00a0want\u00a0to do after I graduate,\u201d she says. \u201cI really enjoy problem-solving and \u2018vibe coding.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Throughout her time at SUNY Poly, Tammy has found consistent support from faculty.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cAll of the faculty members have been very supportive and prompt in their assistance and advice,\u201d she says.\u00a0\u201cMy questions are always answered.\u201d That accessibility has been critical, especially for a student balancing so many responsibilities.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Tammy](\"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tammy-So-at-Work.jpeg\")
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