Some of us have dedicated our careers to the cancer field, some of us have dedicated our careers to helping people use technology to improve their lives and some of us just like helping people. We’re really proud of our work and our team here at Navigating Cancer.
Meet Rebecca Minich, our Data Scientist and Analyst.
Briefly describe your role.
I’m a Data Scientist and Analyst working with the Engineering and Operations teams to provide data insights. I’m currently working on more advanced business intelligence tools for reporting metrics to the larger team.
Where do you find inspiration?
I have a passion for medicine and healthcare and I’m inspired by technologies and policies that have the potential to radically improve patient outcomes.
What’s your favorite technology and why?
Health Tracker is probably my favorite Navigating Cancer technology because it opens lines of communication between clinics and their patients. This increased communication improves quality of care in a number of ways and, importantly, alerts clinicians when there is a problem.
My favorite technology outside of NC is probably the combination of smartphones and map apps. Having the internet in my pocket has completely changed the way I travel.
What’s your favorite app and why?
Mobile app? Feedly! I recently gave up on social media and found myself in a vacuum of information and entertainment. Feedly allows me to subscribe to all of my favorite blogs and periodicals in one place.
Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Wars wins as a childhood pastime. My parents insisted I watch episodes 4, 5 and 6 when I was old enough to see Darth Vader’s scary bald head in Return of the Jedi.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Travel, the first few days in a new place are always exciting.
Little-known fact about you that would surprise people?
I was one of the first ‘Kalamazoo Promise’ recipients, aka, free college tuition for ‘all’ (way before Bernie made it a thing).
This urban revitalization strategy led to a number of similar programs in cities like Pittsburg and New Haven:
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/magazine/kalamazoo-mich-the-city-that-pays-for-college.html