Maile Sakamoto MS’24 always knew she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives through healthcare–but she didn’t realize that data would be her tool for impact. After working as a medical assistant, Sakamoto decided she wanted to invest in her passion for data analytics and enrolled in Willamette’s top-ranked Master’s in Data Science program. With coursework spanning data ethics, cybersecurity, and applied machine learning, Sakamoto gained the knowledge and skills she needed to thrive in the job market. Now, she’s putting those skills to work as an Informaticist for the health insurance giant Humana.
“As a healthcare data analyst, I get to evaluate programs to improve medication accessibility for Medicare and Medicaid members,” Sakamoto says. “It feels like real, meaningful work to collaborate across teams and find ways to make medications affordable.”
Sakamoto’s ability to take on this critical work stems from the knowledge and experiences she gained in Willamette's 12-month MSDS program. “I had the opportunity to develop closer relationships with my professors in the small learning environment, so I always felt like there was time for individual questions and growth,” she says.
Evening classes on Willamette’s Portland campus allowed Sakamoto to work as a Data Science Intern at PacificSource Health during the day while diving into data analytics at night. Assistant Professor of Data Science Kristen Gore gave Sakamoto a rigorous introduction to key analytical tools and concepts in Foundations of Data Science with R, while Contributing Instructor of Data Science Gregory Petrossian helped Sakamoto gain career insights with his Tech Sales course.
“I learned a lot, even in classes that weren’t directly relevant to what I’m doing now,” Sakamoto adds. “There were so many different topics covered in every class, so they all blended together really well. Every class is helpful in its own way.”
With her advanced degree and applicable skills in data science, Sakamoto sees a world of opportunity to further her personal mission of improving lives in healthcare settings.
“My degree helped me land a job where I could see myself growing for years to come,” Sakamoto says. “The healthcare system has its flaws, but I’ve always viewed it as a field with opportunities to give back to the community and the people around you. Meaningful change comes from those who are passionate about it and I’m grateful for the chance to contribute. Knowing that my work benefits society motivates me to work harder, to be more meticulous, and to keep up to date with new strategies and technology.”
