University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine graduate Jada Batten has focused her healthcare career on extracting insights from data and using them to improve people’s lives. That includes not only improving patient outcomes, but also helping clinicians provide more personalized care.
Batten, who works as a Regulatory Product Manager (APM) on a Data Insights team, said USF Health’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics program has helped her improve her skills and better accomplish her goals. She graduated from the program in spring 2025.
“My experience in the program has been transformative,” Batten said. “Earning this degree is about more than just expanding my expertise — it’s about gaining the tools to create meaningful change in healthcare. I want to use technology to streamline workflows, reduce clinician burnout and improve patient experiences.”
Batten aspires to use data-driven solutions to optimize compliance processes and enhance patient care, particularly for those in underserved populations, something that requires a set of skills USF has helped her build.
“I want to leverage real-time data insights to streamline decisions, improve operational efficiency, and free up clinical staff to focus on patient care,” she said. “I aim to contribute to the advancement of clinical decision support systems that assist providers in delivering timely, personalized care.”
But that’s just the start. Batten also plans to one day take another step in her career. “I plan to become a physician and pursue an MD/PhD in biomedical informatics,” she said.
USF’s Strong Academic Offerings Influenced Her Decision
Batten had earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological and Biomedical Sciences at USF before deciding to pursue her master’s degree. She said her familiarity with the university’s “strong academic offerings” made the decision to pursue a graduate degree at the university much easier.
The online MS in Health Informatics (MSHI), accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), is a 32-credit program that students can complete in two years. The curriculum focuses on healthcare technology integration and interoperability. Topics covered in the program include health data management, electronic medical records and management information systems.
The program gives graduates the knowledge and skills to anticipate and assess healthcare data needs, positioning them for leadership roles. Batten said the program’s format and approach met her career goals and academic needs.
“The flexibility of the online format allowed me to continue working full-time while gaining the specialized knowledge I needed to excel in my role,” she said. “Additionally, the program’s emphasis on practical applications, combined with faculty expertise, made it the perfect fit for my career goals.”
MSHI Graduates Can Immediately Apply What They Learn
Batten started applying what she learned in the master’s program before she graduated, which came as a welcome surprise.
“I didn’t anticipate how immediately applicable the coursework would be to my daily responsibilities,” Batten said. “The program has equipped me with tools to enhance regulatory reporting, optimize workflows and develop actionable insights from complex healthcare data.”
She cited many examples of courses that provided knowledge she could immediately apply to her job. The Health Outcomes Research course reinforced the importance of evidence-based methodologies when evaluating new interventions and designing analytics solutions. The E-Medicine Business Models course offered her insight into how healthcare technology solutions are conceptualized and monetized. That helped Batten “think strategically about product development.”
She added that the E-Healthcare Ethics course “stood out because it addressed biases in healthcare technology and the ethical considerations in designing data-driven solutions.”
The Integrated Electronic Medical Records course also deepened her understanding of interoperability standards and data migration. Batten called both “crucial for providing clinicians with accurate patient data.”
As another example, she said the Healthcare Project Management course introduced her to agile methodologies and sprint planning. She now uses both to manage data projects and communicate progress effectively.
Using Healthcare Technology to Improve Lives
Before enrolling in the graduate program, Batten realized the potential for using data in healthcare while working in outpatient healthcare settings, starting as a certified medical assistant.
“As I transitioned into roles focused on data insights, I recognized the immense potential of using clinical data to improve patient care and streamline healthcare operations,” she said.
Batten has enjoyed much support and inspiration in both her professional and personal life.
“My family has been my biggest supporter, encouraging me to pursue my passion for healthcare technology. I’m also inspired by my colleagues and mentors — especially those working in underserved areas — who continuously find ways to provide high-quality care despite resource limitations,” Batten said. “The impact that health informatics can have on improving care delivery motivates me to keep pushing forward.”
Explore the Online MS in Health Informatics Program
Batten said the online program gave her the opportunity to forge new relationships with classmates and USF faculty. She called this “one of the most valuable aspects of this program.”
“Engaging with professionals from diverse healthcare and data backgrounds has broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to collaborate on interdisciplinary solutions,” Batten said. “Additionally, USF Health’s partnerships with HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) and AMIA (American Medical Informatics Association) have allowed me to stay up to date on industry trends and expand my professional network.”
Asked what advice she would give to someone considering enrollment in the MS in Health Informatics program, Batten said, “This program is excellent for anyone looking to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology. It provides a strong balance of technical knowledge and practical applications, making it ideal for professionals who want to drive innovation in health informatics.”
