Institute for Families in Society

I am a health data scientist with a background in geography, GIS, statistics, and data analytics. I like working on complex problems and creating innovative visualizations that can impact change and foster a better understanding of health issues in South Carolina.

In 2011, I began my career in GIS by responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. I worked there with field teams to map the extent of the shoreline oiling and help coordinate cleanup efforts. In 2015, I moved to the SC Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) where I worked as a statistician and GIS analyst. At SCDHHS, I became familiar with the world of Medicaid claims data and was introduced to new tools like SAS Programming and Tableau.

At the Institute for Families in Society, I work with Medicaid claims and encounters data, UB-04 claims data, and outcome data from software such as HEDIS and DxCG. As part of the Data Science and Visualization Team, I perform exploratory data analysis and statistical analysis, and I produce visualizations with a combination of Python, SQL, SAS, ArcGIS, Tableau, and Power BI. These projects are typically centered on health inequities and social determinants of health in South Carolina, with the goal to impact and improve health outcomes.

Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends. I am the parent of two dogs with my longtime partner, Ashley. I participate in a local running group, a disc golf league, and, occasionally, pick-up soccer.