“My previous jobs were a bridge to get to this point,” says Chris Cameron, an Optimum CareerPath Epic Analyst who works for BJC healthcare based in St. Louis. BJC healthcare is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit academic medical centers providing care to patients in the greater St. Louis, Illinois, and Missouri areas.
“I’m certified in both Epic Ambulatory and MyChart,” Chris continues, “and my day-to-day is working through incident tickets via the ServiceNow platform and assisting with new department builds. But I also love data analytics and business intelligence.”
His journey to BJC was hardly a bridge, however. Chris brings robust healthcare education and experience to BJC and the CareerPath program. Following high school, Chris enrolled in a dental assistant degree program. He realized a passion for working with patients and pursued his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Campbell University. While at Campbell, Chris worked as a dental assistant, and while he enjoyed patient care, he became more interested in his role's technical side. Chris completed his biology degree and worked in various healthcare positions until he was awarded a place in the two-year graduate program in Health Informatics at George Mason University, where he concentrated on data analytics.
Shortly after graduation, Chris worked in a lab supporting COVID testing and eventually applied for the Optimum CareerPath program. “I had a lot of experience in the workforce in healthcare [coming into the program],” he says, “and my program peers were very driven, intelligent, and passionate about being part of something greater than themselves. A lot of us just needed a chance to get our foot in the door.” Chris describes how watching family members suffer from health issues led him to the industry in the first place. “I want my contributions to help the greater good. Getting into healthcare has been my way of learning about how I could change things for the future.”
About his CareerPath Peers:
My program peers were very driven, intelligent, and passionate about being part of something greater than themselves.
He went on to add, referencing his peers seeking to make a difference in healthcare:
A lot of us just needed a chance to get our foot in the door.
Chris Cameron Epic Analyst at BJC Healthcare | Optimum CareerPath Graduate
After completing the program, Chris started working with BJC healthcare and has excelled as an Epic Analyst. “The team has been so welcoming from the beginning,” he says. “Team leads especially are so supportive with feedback. As a remote employee, I’ve also developed my time management skills and self-management.”
Chris wasn’t always focused on the healthcare industry. He also has a passion for the performing arts. From working with various vocal coaches, auditioning on America’s Got Talent, and performing in a holiday musical as a baker. “I’ve always been a creative person,” he says, “and being on stage allows me to express myself.”
Outside of working and performing, Chris is an athlete and dedicated community steward. An avid cyclist, he recently raised over $1,000 for children’s cancer research as part of a great cycle challenge in Raleigh, NC.
When passion and talent collide, humanity accomplishes great things. Such is the case with CareerPath Epic Analyst Chris Cameron. From cyclist and performer to data analyst and community advocate – he has and will continue to see a great future ahead of him.
Liked this spotlight? Follow us for more Optimum CareerPath graduate spotlights. Interested in seeing how someone like Cameron might support your organization? Reach out to your Optimum Sales Rep and we’ll get the conversation started.
The Optimum CareerPath Spotlight series showcases the talents and backgrounds of CareerPath graduates. Optimum CareerPath is a targeted recruiting, training, and placement program that identifies and trains high-aptitude, early-career employees. After a 12-week, paid training program, CareerPath graduates are placed at client partner sites for rewarding careers in healthcare IT. Learn who the people are behind this innovative talent program.
