One Degree, New Possibilities: How UoPeople Helped Me Grow in Healthcare

I have always believed that education is about more than earning a degree. It is about gaining knowledge, developing confidence, and acquiring the skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Throughout my journey, I have been guided by a commitment to learning, service, and personal growth.

As a healthcare professional, minister, and author, I have pursued opportunities to grow in different areas while remaining focused on one purpose: helping people overcome challenges and build better futures. Completing my Bachelor of Science in Health Science at University of the People in 2025 was an important milestone in that journey. It allowed me to build on my professional experience, deepen my understanding of healthcare, and prepare for new opportunities in leadership and management.

Growing Up with a Commitment to Learning and Service

Although I come from Haiti, I grew up in the United States, where my formative experiences helped shape my values, aspirations, and understanding of resilience.

From an early age, I was motivated by the desire to keep learning and help others. Over time, my interests in healthcare, ministry, counseling, and writing became important parts of my personal and professional life. While these fields may seem different, they share a common purpose: supporting people through challenges, helping them recognize their potential, and encouraging them to move toward a better future.

I have also learned that our circumstances do not have to define our possibilities. With purpose, determination, and a willingness to keep moving forward, we can continue growing and pursuing goals that once seemed out of reach.

I am proud to be the first person in my immediate family to earn a college degree. Becoming a first-generation college graduate was meaningful not only because of what it represented for me but also because I hope it will encourage others in my family and community to pursue higher education. It showed me what determination, faith, and commitment can make possible.

Building a Foundation in Healthcare

Before enrolling at UoPeople, I had already developed a foundation in healthcare management and professional services. In 2017, I earned an Associate Degree in Health Care Management from Penn Foster College.

My professional experience has largely been in health information management. I work at Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, Inc., in Fort Myers, where I serve as a Health Information Management Clerk III and Lead.

My responsibilities include maintaining the integrity of medical records, protecting patient privacy, ensuring documentation quality, coordinating departmental workflows, and supporting HIPAA compliance. I also help orient and train staff.

Working in health information management has given me a close understanding of the systems and processes that support effective healthcare delivery. I have seen how accurate records, reliable documentation, and well-coordinated teams contribute to patient services and organizational effectiveness.

As I gained experience, I wanted to broaden my understanding of the healthcare field and prepare myself for greater leadership responsibilities. I began looking for an opportunity to build on my previous education while continuing to work.

Why I Chose University of the People

I discovered University of the People in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, while searching for online learning opportunities. At the time, I was working full-time and wanted to continue my education without putting my professional responsibilities on hold.

UoPeople offered a practical way to pursue a university degree while maintaining my career. Its online learning model and commitment to making higher education accessible to students around the world appealed to me.

I decided to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Health Science program because I wanted a broader understanding of healthcare and a stronger academic foundation for contributing to the delivery and management of health services.

The program also aligned with my professional interests. I wanted to explore healthcare beyond my day-to-day responsibilities and develop a wider perspective on subjects such as community health, healthcare systems, and data-informed decision-making.

Another important part of my academic journey was transferring credits from Penn Foster College, where I had previously earned my associate degree. This allowed me to build on my earlier studies as I continued toward my bachelor’s degree. I would encourage anyone considering transferring credits to review UoPeople’s transfer credit policy and confirm their eligibility and requirements with the university. This step is really quite helpful as it saves one a lot of time.

Earning My Degree While Working Full Time

I began my bachelor’s degree at UoPeople in 2020 and graduated in 2025. Completing the program while working full time required considerable discipline, planning, and persistence.

Balancing professional responsibilities with coursework was not always easy. I had to make time for assignments, study materials, and academic deadlines while meeting the demands of my job. There were times when managing both commitments felt challenging, but I remained focused on the goal I had set for myself.

Time management became essential. I learned to organize my responsibilities, stay consistent with my studies, and keep moving forward even when the workload felt demanding. My faith also remained an important source of encouragement, reminding me to remain hopeful and committed to my goals.

One of the things I appreciated most about UoPeople was the flexibility of its online learning environment. It meant I did not have to choose between continuing my career and pursuing higher education. I could manage both while applying what I learned to situations I encountered professionally.

I also enjoyed connecting academic concepts with real-world experiences. Courses in healthcare management, community health, and healthcare data analysis were particularly interesting to me. They helped me understand healthcare systems from broader perspectives and reinforced the importance of using knowledge and evidence to make informed decisions.

How My Health Science Degree Strengthened My Professional Perspective

Earning my Bachelor of Science in Health Science helped me build on my background in health information management and understand my work within a wider healthcare context.

My responsibilities involve more than maintaining medical records. They also require attention to confidentiality, documentation quality, workflow coordination, staff training, and compliance. Through my studies, I developed a broader appreciation of how these functions connect to healthcare quality, organizational effectiveness, and patient service.

I have come to understand that effective healthcare depends not only on the delivery of clinical services but also on the systems that make those services reliable, accessible, and secure.

My education has strengthened my interest in healthcare administration, operational improvement, and quality management. It has also helped me recognize the importance of leadership and sound organizational decision-making in supporting healthier communities.

For anyone considering the Health Science program, my advice is to approach it with curiosity, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose. Healthcare is a field in which knowledge, compassion, communication, and informed decision-making can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I would also encourage students to connect what they learn with their professional experiences and long-term goals. Education becomes especially valuable when we apply it to real-world challenges.

Continuing My Education with an MBA

Graduating in 2025 did not mark the end of my academic journey. Instead, it opened the door to another opportunity for growth. I subsequently began studying in UoPeople’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program to strengthen my knowledge of management, leadership, and organizational decision-making.

My professional experience has given me an understanding of healthcare operations, while my Health Science degree has helped me explore the broader systems that support healthcare delivery. Through my MBA studies, I hope to develop the management and leadership skills needed to contribute more effectively to organizations and the communities they serve.

My long-term interests include healthcare leadership, health information management, quality improvement, and organizational development. I want to continue building on my education and professional experience while seeking opportunities to take on greater responsibilities.

My Advice to Other Learners: Stay Consistent and Keep Moving Forward

To current and prospective UoPeople students, I would say: believe in yourself, remain disciplined, and do not give up when the journey becomes difficult.

I understand what it takes to balance full-time work and academic responsibilities. My experience has taught me the importance of creating a realistic study plan, breaking larger assignments into manageable steps, and staying focused on the reasons you started.

There may be moments when the workload feels overwhelming. When that happens, remember your goals and keep moving forward. You do not have to be perfect to make progress. What matters is showing up, remaining consistent, and continuing to learn.

I would also encourage students to connect their academic experiences with their professional and personal lives. The knowledge we gain becomes more meaningful when we use it to solve problems, improve our communities, and help others.

Most importantly, remember that your starting point does not have to determine your destination. Every course completed, every challenge overcome, and every new skill acquired brings you closer to your goals.

Looking Ahead: Growing Through Learning and Service

Beyond my healthcare career and academic commitments, ministry and writing remain central parts of my life. I have spent 15 years serving in ministry, with experience in pastoral care, counseling, teaching, and supporting people through life’s challenges.

My theological education has included a Master of Theology from the College of the Open Bible and Theological Seminary, an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary, and doctoral studies in Christian Counseling at Victorious Christian Bible University. I am also an author, and through my writing, I hope to inspire readers, strengthen their faith, and share lessons that can help them navigate difficult seasons of life.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue my MBA journey, strengthen my leadership and management skills, and explore opportunities to contribute to healthcare and community development. I also hope to keep growing in ministry, counseling, and writing, using these experiences to encourage others and help them find strength, direction, and hope.

Looking back, earning my bachelor’s degree from UoPeople was about more than achieving an academic milestone. It represented years of planning, sacrifice, faith, and perseverance. It also reinforced my belief that challenges do not have to stand in the way of our ambitions and that education can create new possibilities at every stage of life.

Although healthcare, education, faith, ministry, and writing may seem like different pursuits, they are connected by a common purpose: serving others and making a meaningful difference. I hope my journey encourages other first-generation college students and working professionals to keep pursuing their goals. With determination, faith, and a commitment to lifelong learning, there is always room to grow, take a new direction, and make a positive impact.

About the Author

Johnathan Kyrie Ian D. is a University of the People alumnus who earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science in 2025 and is currently pursuing an MBA at the university. Based in Fort Myers, Florida, he works as a Health Information Management Clerk III and Lead at Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, Inc. A first-generation college graduate, Johnathan is also a healthcare professional, minister, and author with 15 years of ministry experience. His interests include healthcare leadership, Christian counseling, writing, and supporting others through education, faith, and service.