Much of Conner Lofstrom ’25’s work as data engineer for Brown University Health, previously Brown Physicians Inc., revolves around improving quality — whether it’s analyzing how the company can adjust their use of physicians to improve care or breaking down the need for translators so patients across facilities to ensure they are reaching all populations.
On a typical day, Lofstrom, who studied Healthcare Analytics at Bryant University, could be developing streamlined workflows, gathering research data for doctors, reporting clinical revenue, or optimizing efficiencies of automated processes.
But whatever is on the agenda, it helps make a difference in patients’ lives.
“We want to utilize as much as we can to make data insights and present these findings to the C-suite down to the physician level, so it results in something meaningful and valuable,” says Lofstrom.
Finding his path
Entering Bryant as a Biology major, Lofstrom originally planned on becoming a physician assistant but pivoted during his sophomore year when the university launched its Healthcare Analytics major.
“I come from a family of engineers and have always had a strong foundation in mathematics,” Lofstrom explains. “I was intrigued by the idea of combining that analytical background with my own curiosity about biology.”
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While exploring his new path of study and post-graduation career options, Lofstrom connected with Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D., the director of the university’s School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, who put him in touch with Bryant alum and previous Brown Physicians Inc. Director of Analytics Brad Crough ’98.
“He took me under his wing, and I started shadowing Douglas Osier Jr. during my summer going into junior year,” says Lofstrom, who interned with the company the following two years, mentored under Osier, and was offered a full-time position upon graduation.
Balancing academics with athletics
Lofstrom furthered his education beyond the classroom by taking advantage of Bryant’s conferences and summits.
“Going outside of the box and hearing from professionals helps you keep up to date on where the industry is going and what's happening in the real world,” he says. Attending the university’s annual Healthcare Summit — which convenes leaders from healthcare, public health, academia, government, and industry for a day of insight, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategy — was especially helpful, he notes
Lofstrom, who was a freestyle swimmer on the men’s swimming and diving team, says that his teammates played a pivotal role in his Bryant experience as well, both in the pool and through other campus involvements — like tutoring other students together in the Academic Center for Excellence or serving alongside them on the Bryant Senior Advisory Council, where students and university leadership came together to explore ways to enhance the student experience.
“Being a student-athlete at Bryant is no joke. It takes a lot of time and commitment,” he says. “For me, the culture on the swim team was something that I admired. They wanted you to be better and grow but also cared about you as a person and wanted to make your time at Bryant memorable.”
A rewarding experience
Through his position at Brown University Health, Lofstrom shares that problem solving to find creative solutions is one of the most enjoyable aspects of his job; it’s also a skill that his time at Bryant helped him develop.
“At Bryant, they say it all the time: don't just adapt but lead in the environment that you're placed in,” he says. “Always think ahead of the game and try to problem solve before something even becomes a problem.”
What excites him most, however, is hearing from those who’ve used his reports and how they’ve improved the care they provide.
“It reinforces the value of my contributions and brings a deep sense of meaning and purpose to the work I do behind the scenes,” he says. “Knowing that my efforts make a difference in the lives of those within the Bryant community — and beyond — continues to motivate me.”