January 2022 Student Spotlight
Cerlyn Ellis, who is a current student and Senior Systems Analyst at NYC Health + Hospitals, talks to us about her role in health care, her interest in women’s health and immigration, and more.
What do you do as Senior Systems Analyst at NYC Health + Hospitals
As a Sr. Systems Analyst working at NYC Health + Hospital/Coney Island Finance Department, my role consists of partnering with senior management on new initiatives that help to improve our patient’s financial satisfaction. I also work with the Revenue Cycle Team to design and implement workflows and processes to be utilized at all NYC Health + Hospital facilities. I troubleshoot issues and provide staff training pertaining to the reconciliation process.
Have you learned anything at the Marxe School thus far that’s been directly applicable to your role at NYC Health + Hospitals?
I have not learned anything thus far at the Marxe School that’s been directly applicable to my role at NYC Health + Hospital Corporation. But, I have gained a better understanding of measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of our available programs. I’ve also learned how to interpret the data posted regarding both our COVID-19 positive tested and COVID-19 vaccinated patients. I decided for that for my “Program Auditing and Performance Measurement” course, I would audit the H+H NYC Care program. This program was first established in August 2019 and came at a critical time in American history since we experienced the COVID-19 pandemic shortly thereafter. H+H NYC Care is the Nation’s largest and most comprehensive healthcare access initiative program that guarantees low-cost and no-cost services to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance.
What got you interested in women’s health and immigration?
After migrating to the United States of America in 2008, my most difficult hurdle was accessing proper healthcare as an immigrant. I lacked knowledge of all of the resources that were available to me and how to actually access them. I was a patient at Kings County Hospital from 2008 to 2013. During that time, I received medical services and paid with a sliding fee scale. I was very grateful to be able to get the care I needed and paid what I was able to afford. In 2013, I began working in the Hospital and learned the other side of Healthcare Finances. Based on my experience as a fee scaled patient and a Finance employee, I understand both sides and can advocate for a patient in need. But my struggle began in 2015, when I was diagnosed with a benign growth in my right breast. I was 34 years of age at the time and quickly learned that I had to jump through hoops to get approved for a mammogram. I became passionate about researching healthcare policies for immigrant women. As so evident as the changes made on immigrant policies by our recent past Administration which created huge setbacks on the much-needed healthcare services available to women. Also take a look at the latest legislation passed recently in the state of Texas, it undermined or completely blocked access to abortion changing the decision Roe v. Wade (1973). This was done without consideration to personal choice and demonstrates reverse movement in women’s healthcare. My goal is to make a ripple that would impact changes in women healthcare policies and accessibility.
What class did you take with Professor Greene? What did you learn?
Presently [Fall 2021], I am in Professor Greene’s Research and Analysis I class. In this class I learned how to run, analyze and interpret reports in SPSS using both syntax (coding) and point and click, as well as how to write up on the data received. Her class is very interactive, at the beginning of each session we get to analyze and interpret various data results posted in the news.