Alumni at Binghamton University Honors who graduated within the past decade have demonstrated a very high level of career achievement since leaving campus, showing great potential for future leadership.
Four of this year's recipients are graduates of Thomas J. Watson Engineering and Applied Science. We asked them how Watson influenced their lives and career paths.
Jann Gao, MS '15 is an industrial engineer and lean six sigma master black belt. She excels at answering the right questions, both quantitative and qualitative insights.
Her work revolves around data analytics, and she constantly calls for a combination of different parts to generate greater insight into strategic healthcare planning and capital investment. GAO believes thoughtfully designed, data-driven engagement, along with interactive, fast analytics-driven tools and dashboards, is important for addressing clients' complex questions as they navigate an increasingly uncertain future.
The key blue cottages of Cannondesign's Healthcare Strategy and Analytics team blend stakeholder insights and industry perspectives and hard data to enhance strategic planning for networks, buildings and campuses. Her team's comprehensive analytics capabilities, coupled with strategic growth plans and deep knowledge of converting growth into future investments, have allowed many clients to make important decisions quickly and effectively.
Outside of her professional role, Gao is the curator and event planner at Tedxchicago, bringing new voices and perspectives to the city and beyond. She also volunteers for the Chicago Health Executive Forum Network and the School Board. In her free time, she can play tennis near Lake Michigan or enjoy a good book at the local library on weekends.
How about winning an award like this?
It's an incredible honor to receive this award! It was a pleasant surprise and a great recognition of the dedication and hard work I have put into my career. I am truly grateful for this approval. It motivates me to continue to strive for excellence and to continue to contribute to my field.
How do you think your time at Watson was set for success?
The Watson Institute for Systems Excellence (Wise) program has prepared me for industry experience. The application-centric knowledge I gained was extremely valuable, especially in real-world scenarios. The analytical skills I developed have been extremely beneficial in my career. Watson's hands-on projects and collaborative environment really set the foundation for my professional growth.
Which Watson class or professor has changed your way of thinking about your field of study?
The well-known professor of Mohammad Khasawneh, who focused on improving Healthcare and introducing industrial engineering, was truly transformative. The LSS black belt training I received also played a key role in setting me up for success. His teachings had a lasting impact on my approach to my field. The way he integrated real-world issues into his curriculum made the learning experience incredibly rich and practical.
What are your favorite memories of Binghamton?
My favourite memories include beautiful and colorful autumn gatherings with fellow students. We dreamed of the future together, and those moments were truly special and exciting. My desire for friendship and sharing has created a strong sense of community and belonging that I cherish to this day.
What advice would you give to current Watson students?
We will focus on the depth of research, especially in data-driven efforts. These skills will be extremely rewarding in the future. Also try to apply what you've learned to the real problems as much as possible. It makes your education even more valuable. Work with your peers and accept any opportunity to seek mentorship from your professor. These experiences shape your professional journey in a deeper way.
