Ayesha Issah ’26MSHI’s education journey has taken her from Ghana to a graduate degree in Healthcare Informatics and AI from Bryant University. Now, she’s preparing to use her education to help transform the healthcare system using data and technology.
“I’m a believer in health equity and innovation,” says Issah, who will accept her diploma at Bryant’s May 14 Graduate Commencement. “I’m passionate about using data and technology to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.”
It was that drive to help others that brought Issah to Bryant’s Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics and AI program, which prepares graduates to use healthcare data, analyze information, and technical knowledge to solve problems and improve health outcomes. It was a perfect fit for a student committed to exploring how AI can improve cost, quality, and access in healthcare by making systems more efficient, equitable, and patient-centered.
“Earning my graduate degree from Bryant means a lot to me because it reflects how much I’ve grown, both personally and academically. It shows how far I’ve come and the person I’ve become,” she says.
Momentum through mentorship
Issah’s coursework in the Health Informatics and AI program provided a strong interdisciplinary foundation that covered topics ranging from data visualization and population health to project management and healthcare. She also found opportunities to supplement those lessons with academic projects and hands-on learning opportunities.
One of the defining influences in Issah’s journey was the connection she made with Nafees Qamar, Ph.D., associate professor of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and director of Bryant’s Healthcare Informatics program, whose guidance helped shape her experience at Bryant and led to deeper involvement in research and applied learning.
“He played a big role in making my experience here unforgettable,” she reflects.
Even before Issah officially began her studies at Bryant, Qamar responded to her early outreach and helped her secure a graduate assistantship. Later, impressed with her active classroom engagement and enthusiasm for learning, he introduced her to an imaging informatics research project supported by an RI-INBRE grant, where she gained hands-on experience working with AI and medical imaging tools and concepts.
That experience, says Issah, “became one of the most meaningful parts of my experience here. It helped me grow as a researcher and collaborate with an amazing team.”
Qamar, however, notes that it was Issah who made the most of the pathways open to her.
“She is an achiever who truly excelled when provided with the right academic environment, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities at Bryant,” he states.
A focus on groupwork and presenting also aided Issah in discovering her voice.
“As an introverted person, things like mid-semester and end-of-semester presentations pushed me out of my comfort zone and contributed to my personal development overall,” she says.
Finding community and growth beyond the classroom
Beyond her studies, Issah found a strong sense of belonging at Bryant.
“Coming in, I was not very confident, but over time I was able to grow and build confidence because I felt welcomed and supported no matter my background,” the international student notes. “Bryant University is receptive and culturally friendly to people from different backgrounds. Everyone is supportive, and I made amazing friends.”
Issah, who worked in the President’s Office as a graduate assistant, says that sense of community was reinforced through everyday campus moments. One of her favorite Bryant memories came during Research and Engagement Day (REDay) — an annual, day-long symposium that serves as a showcase for the scholarship, creativity, and innovation of the Bryant University community — when she and a classmate stayed on campus after presenting their work and enjoyed the collegial atmosphere.
“We sat in the sun, just relaxing and enjoying the moment, almost like a small reward for all the hard work we had put in,” she recalls.
Those smaller, in-between moments — alongside trips, events, and time spent with classmates — defined her experience as much as the academic milestones, Issah reflects.
After graduation, Issah plans to continue to build her credentials and make a meaningful contribution to a field that's evolving at the intersection of healthcare and technology.
When she looks back, however, she can’t help but marvel at how far she’s already come.
“What makes my Bryant journey special is not just the environment, but how much I was able to grow once I took advantage of the opportunities around me,” says Issah.