Data and Statistical Analysis

Dan Lewis '10

Dan Lewis In August 2012, I finished the Entrepreneurship for Science, Technology, and Engineering Masters (ESTEEM) program at Notre Dame. On the top level, the program focuses on bridging the gap between the entrepreneurial/business side of things with the technical/scientific side of things. enFocus is a year long fellowship that started 2 days after I finished ESTEEM back in August.

We focus on economic development through revitalization of existing larger organizations in the region. That happens through a consulting model. We also dedicate time to pure community projects, and some time is for professional development/new ventures/commercialization.

My projects have been in 2 areas. Both projects are very exciting.

Community health, my colleague and I designed an innovative community health program based on incentives and rewards tailored for the uninsured/low socio-economic status demographic of diabetics in the area. The program has 2 goals: reduce hospital bottom line costs due to ER readmissions and improve community health. We believe that the program can be replicated for other high-cost disease states such as congestive heart failure.
Communications and rebranding for the South Bend Community School Corporation. We are redesigning their entire website. Lots of interaction at the schools and managing the principals is involved to gather all the necessary marketable information.

Allie Levesque '08

allie levesque I am currently working as a Healthcare Data Analyst at Health Dialog. My role at Health Dialog consists of designing and implementing SAS code to fulfill internal and external client requests. Some of this work includes data investigations, ad-hoc client requests, and routine analyis projects. Some typical analytic work includes things like evaluating medical cost savings or determining outreach and engagement rates for particular programs. Another important aspect of my role is to help form future strategic analytical plans for clients.

My mathematics education at Saint Michael's certainly helped prepare me to enter my graduate program. At Saint Michael's, we were required to take certain math courses as part of the degree requirements but were also given some flexibility in exploring topics of interest in math. This mix provides a good foundation for everyone but also leaves room for students to discover what part of math is most fascinating to them as individuals. The math education at Saint Michael's has not only helped me in my graduate studies; it has allowed me to solve problems and think critically outside of the classroom. I have also taken away with me a set of tools and skills that allow me to learn on my own and think for myself - important for anywhere life may take me.

Kate Morrow '08

Currently I am working as a Statistical Programmer for the Vermont Oxford Network. I write SAS code to investigate the network’s data. Usually the information I gain from investigations is used to send reports to clients, further a research project, or improve the accuracy of our data.

The varied math courses that Saint Michael’s offered allowed me to discover the areas of mathematics that I enjoyed the most, which led me to pursue a graduate degree. The math courses I took at Saint Michael’s provided a strong mathematical foundation when I entered graduate school. The mathematical education I received at Saint Michael’s helped me in my graduate school courses, but the analytical skills I developed have proven to be an invaluable asset at my job. I don’t necessarily use math or statistics for every given problem, but I have to solve problems constantly. I completed my MS in Statistics at UVM in 2010.

Maureen Burgess Coccaro '03

maureen coccaro I am currently a Lead Data Analyst at Wellpoint Inc. in North Haven, CT. I am working in the Center of Excellence in Transplants, Bariatric, Cardiac and Complex Cancers Division. This division researches and sets guidelines for Transplant, Cardiac, Bariatric and Complex Cancer Facilities and Hospitals across the country for all Wellpoint, Inc. owned Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shields. We use statistical regression modeling to analyze the success rates of transplant surgeries, Bariatric surgeries, Cardiac surgeries and complex cancer treatments in quality designated facilities versus non-designated facilities. Based on this analysis Wellpoint negotiates contract rates at each quality designated facility for each of these specific procedures. I think many people have a negative perception of the Health Insurance Industry. This is an example of Wellpoint (Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield) improving the care people receive.

I am in the process of completing my MBA at UConn School of Business.

More than anything my Saint Michael’s Math degree provided me with a strong analytical and quantitative background. This background opens doors in many different ways. It shows you have the ability to learn complex topics, which is an asset to many industries and therefore beneficial in any career.