The Pitt Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program is committed to cultivating well-rounded professionals. Integrating esteemed alumni into the mentorship program helps foster a connection between the past and the future of health informatics (HI)!
The program enhances the Pitt MSHI learning experience by pairing together alumni and current students for six months of one-on-one mentoring. Each mentorship is different to fit the student and mentor’s schedules, professional goals and mentoring styles. The goal is to provide mentees with skills, networks and professional experience that will continue to influence their professional experience even after they graduate.
Learn more about how successful Pitt HI alumni have influenced the HI leaders of the future.
About the Mentor and Mentee
Anthony “Tony” Roscoe (BS ‘99, MS ‘09)
Hailing from Scott Township, PA, Roscoe graduated with a Health Information Management undergraduate degree and then earned his Master of Studies in Law with a concentration in health law. He is working as the education director for applied AI in health information at the American Health Information Management Association. He mentored in the MSHI program for the first time in 2025.
“Prior to volunteering as a mentor for the MSHI program, I had been a mentor at work and in other organizations,” explains Roscoe. “I appreciate the mentors that I have had in my life and hope to pay it forward by mentoring others.”
Jennifer “Jenny” Boateng-Paintsil (MS ‘25)
A graduate of the online MSHI program, Boateng-Paintsil currently works at Johnson & Johnson as a totality coordinator within the Global Clinical Supply Organization where she supports compliance, workflow oversight and cross-functional coordination with health care compliance teams. She resides in Willingboro, NJ.
“My interest in health informatics originated from my clinical background as a dialysis technician and my passion for improving patient care through technology,” explains Boateng-Paintsil. “Working directly with patients exposed me to inefficiencies in health care systems, especially in documentation, communication and data use. I realized that many of these challenges could be addressed through better system design, data analytics and cybersecurity.”
She decided to pursue the online MSHI degree at Pitt to help her bridge the gap between health care and technology and transition from hands-on patient care into a role where she could influence systems, policies and data-driven decision-making on a larger scale.
The Mentee Experience
Here is what Boateng-Paintsil had to say about her experience as a mentee in the MSHI program:
Why did you decide to apply for a mentor during your time in the program?
I decided to apply for a mentor because I wanted guidance from someone who had already navigated the path I was trying to build. Health informatics is a broad and evolving field, and I felt that having a mentor would help me better understand career opportunities, industry expectations and how to position myself professionally.
I also wanted someone who could provide real-world insights beyond the classroom and help me connect my academic learning to practical applications.
What benefits did the mentor have in your education?
Having a mentor significantly enhanced my learning experience. My mentor, Tony Roscoe, helped me think critically about course concepts and how they apply in real-life settings. He also provided clarity on some of the courses.
Additionally, Tony encouraged me to approach assignments more strategically, focusing not just on completing them but on how they can contribute to my professional portfolio. This shifted my mindset from simply being a student to thinking like a professional.
What benefits did the mentor have on your professional development?
My MSHI mentor helped me refine and define my career goals, improve my resume and prepare for opportunities in the field. He also provided guidance on networking, communication and navigating workplace dynamics. Through these interactions, I gained more confidence in my abilities and became more intentional about my career path.
Is there a special project or assignment you worked on with your mentor?
One of the key activities I worked on with Tony was a personal and professional development project (Mnookin 2 -Pager) designed to help him better understand my goals, strengths and career direction. We had meaningful discussions about our interests in health care compliance and cybersecurity. It was a valuable experience because I gained clarity on my goals and learned to better articulate my strengths, while also working to balance perfectionism and improve efficiency.
Would you recommend this degree and the mentorship program opportunity to others interested in advanced HI?
I would highly recommend both the MSHI degree and the mentorship program. The program provides a strong foundation in health informatics while also allowing flexibility for working professionals.
The mentorship program is incredibly valuable because it bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application. It provides students with guidance, support and insight that can significantly accelerate their professional growth. For anyone interested in advancing in health care, technology or data-driven roles, this program offers both the knowledge and the network needed to succeed.
Benefits of Being a Mentor
Here is what Roscoe had to say about his experience as a mentor in the MSHI program:
What is the mentoring process like?
The mentoring process was very approachable and adaptable. It aligned with my mentoring style, where I asked the mentee for their goals from the relationship including timelines and frequency of engagement. That way we could work out exactly how best to achieve their goals and measure the value we each may be experiencing.
Jenny and I began meeting twice a month once we set out our goals. At the close of the official mentoring program, we shifted to monthly. Now we meet as needed and primarily use email. The bulk of our meetings were done via Zoom as we were not geographically close. We occasionally used phone calls when technology was a challenge for when we needed an impromptu discussion.
What do you hope to share with your mentee?
I hope to share lessons learned over the years with mentees across a spectrum of areas that span my academic career, professional experience and personal development.
This was also an opportunity for my mentees to access my extensive professional network. I find joy in connecting folks with other like-minded people so that they might establish beneficial relationships as well.
I like to offer simple wisdom from someone who has taken the same professional journey that I have, as it could inspire someone or else give them perspective on the many choices they could make during their career.
Did you see changes or improvements in your mentee during their time with you?
I most definitely saw growth and especially an increase in confidence. Jenny already had a great deal of life experience and confidence. With the support of the mentoring program, I saw her approach to existing projects and her job search shift and improve.
With each success and acknowledgement of her progress, Jenny’s confidence improved, which helped her with her interviewing and execution of her final projects. It was really rewarding to see her shine and achieve so much.
Any Pitt MSHI student, online or on campus, can apply for a mentor! Learn more about the mentorship program or apply to the MSHI program today.