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FIU Health Informatics Alumna
When It Comes to Patient Care –

Look to the Gridiron Uses Data, Analytics to Ensure
Solutions for Students
Football season is performing? When it
underway again. Every comes to patient care, BY LEONCIO ALVAREZ more easily identify early-
die-hard fan thinks their the winners have very warning indicators, giving
team “has a good chance clear strategy. That Florida International us the opportunity to pro-
this year.” Unfortunately, strategy is clearly com- University’s Health Infor - vide preventative behav-
most are just practicing municated to everyone matics and Analytics mas- ioral health and wellness
wishful thinking and will in the organization. ter’s program, while fairly services to children who
be disappointed a few Expectations and out- new, graduated its first may be dealing with
games into their favorite comes are measured. cohort in 2013. That said, unique circumstances in
team’s season. Believe it or Results are communi- several alumni including or outside the home.”
not at the NFL level the cated and when need- Frances Allegra have Wentworth Hampshire
talent difference between ed, adjustments are already embarked upon looks to grow the reach of
teams is miniscule. Every made. So often there is impressive work in the MCUSA by harvesting a
team is loaded with BY JAY JUFFRE a huge disconnect field. deep understanding of
incredible athletic talent between what leader- Allegra, who graduated health informatics, data
who know the game ship thinks is happen- in 2016, spent 23 years analytics, and social deter-
extremely well. The difference who ing and what is actually occurring. Also working in child welfare Frances Allegra minants of health. Allegra
wins and who loses often comes down there may be a department or group of and education. An attorney, licensed to focuses, in part, on both statewide and
to the abilities of the coaching staff to employees that ‘get it’, but others who work in Florida state and federal courts, national expansion.
develop the game plan and the player’s don’t quite understand (or have not she decided to pursue a Master of “Understanding CMS (the Centers for
ability to execute the plan. At the end of bought in). When it comes to patient Science in Health Informatics and Medicare & Medicaid Services) policy as
the season, the best team is always care, build your team for long term suc- Analytics at FIU to expand her work in it pertains to behavioral health, primary
described as the best coached and cess. Mirror the NFL. Scout and find the healthcare and population health. and preventative care is key,” Allegra
whom, in the end, performed the best. best talent. Clearly communicate the “I chose the Health Informatics pro- explained. “I have been able to leverage
They perform better at all levels: game plan. Train them. Let them per- gram because I wanted to differentiate relationships with educational leaders
Offense, Defense, Special teams, etc. form. Give them feedback. Call an audi- myself and I wanted more specialized, and policy makers at the national and
Patient care is no different. Every health ble when necessary. Your team and the specific knowledge that would be help- state level, bringing our business model
system is full of highly qualified, well- patients will benefit for years to come. ful years from now,” Allegra said. “I had of health innovation into schools where
educated doctors, nurses and staff. The done some work with FIU’s Health it is acutely needed.”
leaders of these organizations are also Jay Juffre is Vice President of Informatics team a few years ago relating Wentworth Hampshire, a data driven
experienced and capable. The same also Operations / National Service Director, to population health, social determi- organization, recently partnered with a
holds true for most independent doctor ImageFIRST. For more information on nants of health and predictive analytics. data analytics group to help build real-
offices and surgery centers. The ques- ImageFIRST, call 1-800-932-7472 or visit It was such a great experience that it time dashboards relating to key perform-
tion for everyone is how good is the www.imagefirst.com. whet my appetite to learn more.” ance measures. Allegra, in turn, draws
game plan and how well are your teams
Toward the end of her time in the pro- upon health informatics and analytics
gram, Allegra became Senior Vice skills and techniques on a daily basis. As
President of Healthcare Expansion a leader, she finds helping others adopt
Services at Wentworth Hampshire, a par- and embrace the use of data crucial to
Gastro Health Acquires Hialeah ent company of several wholly-owned success.
Allegra thinks back on her time in
subsidiaries dedicated to improving the
lives of vulnerable students and their FIU’s Health Informatics and Analytics
Ambulatory Surgical Center families. The primary subsidiary, program when discussing the impor-
MCUSA Healthcare, also known as tance of what she learned.
Motivational Coaches of America, is the “Some of the most challenging courses
Gastro Health has acquired the Gastrointestinal Center of Hialeah, a Joint
Commission accredited, Florida-licensed ambulatory surgery center (ASC), that largest school-based behavioral health I remember taking are the ones that had
offers outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in a comfortable and con- initiative in the country, providing indi- the most impact on me, like statistics,
venient facility. vidualized solutions focused on a child’s database management, project manage-
Located in Hialeah, the ASC features three operative rooms outfitted with new, well-being. MCUSA allows schools to ment and data visualization,” she said.
state-of-the-art equipment. Patients will be able to access services such as diagnos- create a safer and more productive aca- “As a lawyer, I enjoyed the refresher on
tic and screening colonoscopy, colonoscopy with biopsy, upper endoscopy, EGD demic environment through economi- health law and the introductory courses
with biopsy, colon with cautery and snare polypectomy and hemorrhoid ligation, cally sound and sustainable avenues. pertaining to policy. These provided the
all in a relaxing environment in which patient privacy and comfort are ensured. “MCUSA’s goal is to motivate children most important context.”
Gastro Health’s Hialeah ASC will utilize advanced technology and draw from the through improved self-esteem and self- When not busy making sure students
expertise of experienced gastroenterologists including Orlando Torres, M.D., actualization that results in academic across the nation have the most produc-
Roberto De J. Fernandez, M.D.,F.A.C.G., Sergio Rodriguez, M.D., Carlos Ramos, success through improved school atten- tive and successful educational experi-
M.D., and Jose Lavergne, M.D. dance, reduced disciplinary referrals, ences possible, Allegra enjoys every
improved academic achievement and moment of raising a first grader, as well
increased school connectedness,” as planning and taking trips to Walt
Allegra elaborated. Disney World and Kidz Bop concerts.
Allegra notes that MCUSA ensures
that all children within a school are For more information about
reached. FIU’s Master of Science in
“We understand that a mental health Health Informatics and Analytics, visit
crisis can hit any child, regardless of age healthinformatics.fiu.edu, or contact
or socio-economic status,” she said. Roberto Garcia at mshia@fiu.edu and
“Our school-based model allows us to (305) 348-4347.

6 September 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News