��ɬֱ��

Beth Viator didn’t plan to work in tech. She began in billing at a physician’s clinic, managing daily patient care operations. Consulting later opened her eyes to healthcare processes and how software could improve them. 

Today, she’s managing the delivery of AI software that helps healthcare organizations manage their revenue cycles more efficiently. 

Her shift from clinic operations to product leadership took years of hands-on experience, a passion for problem-solving, and, eventually, the decision to return to school for her master’s degree. 

“I always wanted my master’s. It was a personal goal I set long ago,” says Viator, a New Iberia native and graduate of the University of Louisiana at ��ɬֱ��’s online Master of Science in Informatics program. “But I also knew I could use it to move up the corporate ladder, and it paid off.” 

A Career Built on Curiosity and Experience

Viator earned her undergraduate degree in from UL ��ɬֱ�� in 2002 and built a career in healthcare management and consulting. 

Over time, she moved from billing and operations into more technical roles, including her current position with a company that uses AI to optimize revenue cycle operations in healthcare. 

As she made this transition, she found herself asking bigger questions.

“I started wondering, what can software do to help us be more efficient? What can it do to improve healthcare revenue?” she says. “That’s what got me interested in informatics.” 

Viator always planned to earn a master’s degree, but with years of managerial experience, she knew a traditional MBA wouldn’t be the right fit. The deeper she got into tech, the clearer it became that she needed to narrow her scope.

“I have enough career experience that taught me that,” she says. “So, I thought, let me do something more specialized.”

She remembered enjoying her informatics coursework as an undergrad. When she saw UL ��ɬֱ�� does not require the GRE for its online M.S. in Informatics program, she took it as a sign that the timing was right. 

Flexibility That Meets Real Life

As she completed the informatics program, Viator had a full-time job, two young kids, and a schedule packed with sports practices and dance rehearsals. 

“That flexibility is what enabled me to go back to school. I didn’t have to go to a class; I didn’t have to travel to ��ɬֱ��,” she says. “I had a full-time job, so it was really important that I scheduled my time. You really have to be disciplined but having that room to juggle a career and family makes it worth it.”

She hadn’t taken an online course before, and the adjustment took some time. But once she found her rhythm, she started using pockets of downtime to stay on track.

“Every time I had to run my kids to sports or dancing, I would stay in the car and do my homework,” she says. “I would use that time to really dive into school while I was alone and it was quiet.”

Support from UL ��ɬֱ�� faculty made a difference, especially as she adapted to writing analytical essays and self-paced coursework. Even though she wasn’t used to reaching out for help, Viator found her professors approachable and invested in her success.

“They absolutely provide time,” she says. “I would get on Zoom and ask questions, and they would even allow you to stay and listen to other people’s questions. Sometimes I would just jump on to listen.”

One of those faculty members was Dr. Michael Totaro, associate professor in the Master’s in Informatics program. Viator had taken several of his classes as an undergraduate and was excited to reconnect with him in the master’s program.

“He’s the one who taught me how to program HTML. I’ll never forget that,” she says. “When I found out he was still teaching, I was so excited. He was so knowledgeable and gracious, especially when it came time for my capstone project.” 

Promoted and Prepared to Make a Bigger Impact

Viator says the online informatics program gave her valuable technical skills and helped her advance professionally. After years in revenue-focused roles, Viator has been promoted in her company into a product leadership role, leading the delivery of product solutions. 

“As hard as it is, a two-year online degree to earn something like that is definitely worth it,” she says.

The program also offers meaningful connections. Viator made close friends with classmates from diverse backgrounds, and that shared experience enriched her journey.

“I was interested in finding out why they were doing it, or what their path was,” she says. “I actually made a very good friend who had the same undergrad degree as me. We still talk to this day.”

For students thinking about the program, she encourages embracing the challenge.

“Informatics doesn’t probably fit with every single undergrad degree, but it’s definitely a specialty that is geared for the future. It’s a specialty that helps further technology, and people can really make a difference with it.” 

Learn more about what an online M.S. in Informatics can do for your career. 

Request Information

Apply now