Healthcare IT Professional & Lifelong Learner
25 years transforming healthcare through data. From quality assurance to FHIR interoperability, I build systems that make a difference. Currently diving deep into Java, machine learning, and the future of data science.
In 1929, Baylor University Hospital in Dallas introduced one of the earliest U.S. health insurance plans, initially covering local school teachers. This prototype eventually evolved into the Blue Cross system.
I've spent 25 years in the healthcare industry, following a decade in banking. My career has centered on data: I started in Quality Assurance, testing data propagation jobs, then moved into Test Data Management, where I built an ETL-based process from scratch that quadrupled our environment setup speed.
I've created processes to introduce synthetic data into lower environments for testing. I have a love for data visualization and BI, recently creating a Splunk dashboard for my corporate EDI Gateway team. I currently work on a healthcare interoperability team. My contributions to the team allow for provider access, patient access, and payer-to-payer data exchanges via the FHIR standard.
I'm passionate about continuous improvement, starting with my own knowledge. Each night, I set aside time to learn new skills directly attributable to the ever-evolving healthcare IT landscape, including daily AI updates.
Java is used in many of my work functions, and is heavily used in both corporate ETL processes, as well as industry-wide healthcare processes. Becoming a Java expert allows me to become as valuable team player as I can be.
Implementing a reverse proxy with HTTPS certificates. Nginx Proxy Manager and Let's Encrypt for secure external access without full VPN.
Completed various trainings that I wanted to do before the end of the year.
This included topics like:
I consider these to be foundational skills I'm catching up on now. While I had a passing knowledge of all of them, this was a deep dive into each area to become a more effective user.
Completed Python training via several avenues. This training satisfies a strong professional curiosity driven by the knowledge that many "hot" technologies such as machine learning, AI topics, and data science rely on this language.
This included packages such as:
While I'd still like to take my education further into additional libraries like Scikit-learn, Tensorflow, and PyTorch, my foundational knowledge satisfies my immediate itch, and allows me to jump further into Data Science topics, or down additional paths like Web Development with packages like Django, Flask, and FastAPI.
Separated storage and compute following data center best practices. New configuration is six servers:
Major upgrade including new microphone, webcam, and large monitors for improved productivity and video conferencing.
Running extensive homelab since 2012.
Advanced certified diver. Florida springs and Caribbean adventures when we can.
Surround sound, big OLED screen, and a media server. Backyard movie nights.
UCF football and basketball games. Nothing like the energy of a good game.
Rails-to-Trails routes. 28-mile round trips on converted railroad paths.
Twice-weekly mowing in peak Florida season. St. Augustine Floratam grass.