Oumme Sairally, a summa cum laude spring graduate of the bachelor’s of interdisciplinary studies in health informatics (HI), recently took a job with B-Swift, an electronic benefits management company, a division of Aetna/CVS Health. However, earning the degree and landing the job was no small feat for Sairally, a native of Mauritius and first-generation college student on one side of her large family.
Originally a nursing student, Sairally was introduced to the health informatics field by a friend. Immediately she chose the profession for herself.
“I knew from an early start that I've always wanted to work in the medical field, but I've never imagined myself working directly with patients. Moreover, I knew right away that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare technology, especially after the coronavirus pandemic hit the world,” Sairally said.
Sairally moved to Atlanta twelve years ago as a child and started her Georgia State University education at Perimeter College before transferring to the downtown Atlanta campus. The health informatics program challenged her, but she thrived on the experience.
“One of the things that I had learned to overcome, and I’m still learning, is coming from a different country altogether, different language, different background,” Sairally said. “I would say that transitioning to a new life in a different country is not an easy task, but I did not let the language barrier or the new culture defeat me.”
Sairally settled in quickly, thriving on the solid support system from the faculty and family, leading her to speak up in class and ask the right questions.
“I felt that my voice was heard, and I didn't feel completely lost,” Sairally said about the Georgia State program. She is equally complimentary about the faculty.
“Dr. [Lowell] Sanders was very supportive, and a good mentor to me, and having all the support motivated me to do better,” she said.
The more Sairally learned the more she understood about healthcare issues and information technology. Landing an internship with SynsorMed, a remote patient monitoring and chronic care management solution for healthcare organization help grow her knowledge and curiosity about different health IT positions. It also led her to use the skills she had learned in class.
“I have to say that everything I have learned during my two years in the program, beginning with project management, data analytics, DBMS, and a variety of other courses, has been extremely beneficial, particularly during my training with BSwift. “Now I am finally getting the chance and opportunity to put all of this into practice.”
Even though Sairally just started her first professional position, she is already looking ahead to the next steps.
“I’m always working hard, looking ahead. I’m especially working harder to move to an executive position,” Sairally said. “I want to be in a position where I’m able to provide back to the healthcare community and others who are coming into this field.”
-- by Angela Arnold Go