Insights from Alums in Preparing for the Job

Host

Adriana Semko, MBA, Coordinator of Health Information Management

Virtual Link

Zoom: https://sunypoly-edu.zoom.us/j/88534564566

Presenters

Caryn Schweinsberg, Community and Behavioral Health Alum
Project Director of the SUNY Poly Liberty Partnerships Program

Caryn is a graduate of SUNY Poly with a B.S. in Community and Behavioral Health. Caryn’s professional interests are in the areas of school prevention, mental health support and social emotional learning to promote positive outcomes in children and adolescents. Prior to assuming the Director role for LPP, Caryn worked for several local non-profit agencies serving vulnerable populations experiencing mental health and substance abuse challenges. Caryn is currently working on her master's degree in social work.

Stephanie DePerno, HIM Alum
Health Information Management Director, Inpatient 
Office of Mental Health Central New York Psychiatric Center

Stephanie graduated from SUNY Poly in 2013 and started working at CNYPC as a Health Information Management Technician I. In 2018, she was promoted to her current position as the Health Information Management Director for the inpatient setting. She earned her master's in Technology Management with a concentration in Health Informatics from SUNY Poly.

Michelle Phillips, HIM and HI alum

Michelle is a dedicated professional in the field of health information and informatics, combining a strong background in medical coding with a passion for education and student development. Currently serving as the Medical Coding Supervisor at Frontier Science Technology and Research Foundation in Amherst, New York. With over 18 years of experience at the organization, she oversees coding operations, ensures regulatory compliance, manages workflow efficiencies, and collaborates across teams to maintain data accuracy in clinical research. Michele also leads staff training, supervises recruitment, and contributes to the creation of departmental procedures and tools.

In addition to her professional role, Michele has been an Adjunct Lecturer at SUNY Poly. Michele teaches undergraduate courses in Health Information Management and Health Informatics, where she develops curriculum, evaluates student performance, and fosters engaging virtual learning environments.

Michele earned her Master of Science in Health Informatics from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, where she was recognized as the Health Informatics Outstanding Graduate Student, and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Health Information Management. She also holds an Associate in Applied Science in Business Management and a certification in medical coding and billing from Bryant & Stratton College.

Her professional certifications include Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A). Michele is actively involved in her community, serving as a board member of the Newfane Alumni Association, Secretary and Member of the Newfane Lions Club, and a member of the Lockport Elks Lodge #41. 

Stephanie Hisgen, Nursing

Dr. Hisgen was appointed as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient and Clinical Services at Columbia Memorial Hospital in January 2022. In this position she has implemented a Nurse Residency Program, reduced hospital acquired conditions, improved nursing recruitment and retention, and is leading the organization on its first ever Magnet journey. Dr. Hisgen has accrued decades of nursing leadership and senior management experience at health care organizations in our region and across the nation, including as: Corporate Director of Nursing for Prospect Medical Holdings, a 17-hospital health system operating in five states; Chief Operating Officer of Visiting Nurse Service Northeastern New York; Director of Nursing Recruitment at SUNY Upstate Medical University; and Director of Nursing Excellence at Glens Falls Hospital. She also served as an advisor to the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention.

Dr. Hisgen received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Maria College in Albany, her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from SUNY Poly, her Masters of Public Health from SUNY Albany. Dr. Hisgen holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Duke University, Durham, NC. She also has her Nurse Executive Advanced Certification.

Laura McMillen, Nursing

Laura started her career as a Nurse’s Aide at St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy. She earned her RN Associates in Science from Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing. Laura continued to work at St. Mary’s for six years per diem on Medical Surgical units and PCU while simultaneously working the weekend track for Visiting Nurses Association as an admission clinician. During this time, Laura was certified in chemotherapy/biotherapy treatment. Five years later, she started her Bachelors in Science at SUNY Poly. She was then accepted into the accelerated program for Masters in Science. During this time she left the hospital, and worked for Anthem, Inc. to learn more about the health insurance industry. Laura also worked briefly as an infusion nurse for New York Oncology Hematology. She ended her RN career working as a per diem home care nurse for Visiting Nurses Association.

Laura received her Master’s in Science and Bachelors of Science from SUNY Poly in 2019, where she was on the President’s List and President’s Excellence List several times. Laura was also a member of Sigma Theta Tau. Prior to graduation, Laura was hired at a St. Peter’s Internal Medicine office in Albany NY, where she remains six years later. She participates as a chair for the Advanced Practitioner Committee where she continues to advocate for Advanced Practitioners within the St. Peter’s family.