Data specialists and analysts play a critical role in public health. They promote better health outcomes across the Commonwealth by making data accessible, understandable, and actionable for public health initiatives.
DPH Workforce Spotlight – Chiara Moore
Video: DPH Workforce Spotlight – Chiara Moore
Skip this video DPH Workforce Spotlight – Chiara Moore.Hermik Babakhanlou-Chase
Director, Office of Statistics and Evaluation, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services
It’s no exaggeration to say that Hermik has the job she’s always wanted. “I dreamed of working for an organization where my passion for public health would have a larger impact than just the position I held,” she says. “I’ve found that at DPH.”
After graduating as a biology major, Hermik worked in biomedical research before getting her graduate degree in public health from Boston University. With a master’s in hand, she applied to the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) where she has since earned several promotions.
Hermik has been at DPH for more than 20 years, and in her current role for 12, where she manages a large team and oversees data collection, reporting, and evaluation of federal grants and state projects, including the BSAS data warehouse and community dashboard.
She takes great satisfaction in meeting the needs of DPH constituents. “A city leader recently congratulated us on our dashboard – and suggested we add some data that would be helpful for community planning. I told him, in fact, we were already incorporating that missing data for the next iteration of the dashboard. I’m glad to know we’re in sync with those who depend on us. That makes me happy.”
Rashmi Makhe
Data Visualization Specialist, Data Modernization Initiative, Commissioner’s Office
Not everyone at DPH originally intended to pursue public health. Rashmi’s first passion is art.
“My love for art led me to a career in website design, and after a few years designing beautiful websites, I moved into designing business intelligence solutions, also called ‘data visualization.’ My art background is what helps me to bring complex data to life.”
Rashmi came to DPH in 2022 to work with the Office of Population Health on data visualization for the Population Health Information Tool, known as PHIT. She then transitioned to the Commissioner’s Office, serving multiple projects.
As part of the Data Modernization Initiative, Rashmi is helping to streamline how data systems are managed. She also works with others to use tools like Tableau and Power BI to help creatively present health information to the public.
Rashmi says at DPH she has the opportunity to not only support but also define future public health initiatives, working alongside truly committed colleagues and mentors.
“You can’t really build something alone,” says Rashmi. “It takes collaboration with managers, epidemiologists, data teams, accessibility specialists, and others to build a great dashboard for the public to use and understand. I really enjoy seeing all that hard work come to fruition.”
Lionel White
Senior Surveillance Research Analyst, Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences
A career path at DPH is rarely one straight line, but it’s that mobility and opportunity to move around – and move up – that is just one benefit of working at the department.
Lionel’s path is an example. He started at DPH in 2002 as a temporary employee.
“After that position ended, I was able to stay on as a contract employee, and eventually earned a full-time position,” he explains. “And now I’m still learning new skills to further my growth professionally.”
Lionel helps manage a critical system called MAVEN, the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiological Network. MAVEN contains clinical, laboratory, and case management data on more than 90 reportable infectious diseases. The data is vital. It’s used to investigate, track, and prevent disease in communities across the Commonwealth.
Lionel also provides training and daily support for internal and external MAVEN users. He takes great satisfaction in helping others.
“I was recently at a state conference and met with attendees from local health departments who use MAVEN,” he says. “They had very high praise not only for the system, but for DPH, thanking us for all the guidance and support we provide.”
For Lionel and his colleagues, it’s about working toward the same goal: to protect and improve the health of Massachusetts residents and their communities.
Ta-wei Lin
Deputy Director, Office of Statistics and Evaluation, Bureau of Community Health and Prevention
Ta-wei believes deeply in the opportunity for everyone to be healthy, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other factors. “If you care about health equity and want to see your work translate into real change,” he says, “come work at DPH.”
Ta-wei started at DPH in 2014 as an Epidemiologist, left to pursue a doctorate at Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health, and returned in 2020. Three years later, he is Deputy Director of the Office of Statistics and Evaluation.
His role is varied, something he truly enjoys. He helps set program priorities for promoting health and racial equity across Massachusetts and leads the Community Health Equity Initiative, gathering data to address root causes of health inequities. He also supervises and mentors fellow epidemiologists, and is excited to see them succeed.
At the annual DPH epidemiologists conference, Ta-wei was gratified to have his team recognized for work on Massachusetts’ largest effort to date to collect data from populations often underrepresented or invisible in existing data systems, including those that identify as Middle Eastern or North African and who primarily use American Sign Language.
“The potential to make systems-level changes that have a direct impact on peoples’ lives is unlike any place I’ve worked,” says Ta-wei. “It’s not always easy, but it’s so worth it.”
Heatha Gomes
Data Acquisition Specialist (Certified Oncology Data Specialist), Office of Population Health
Heatha decided to go back to school later in life, and after graduation became interested in data collection to improve public health. She started at DPH in 2022 at the Massachusetts Cancer Registry.
Cancers diagnosed or treated at healthcare facilities in Massachusetts must be reported to the registry, and Heatha audits and processes the data, ensuring quality and accuracy. The data are then used to analyze the types and extent of cancer throughout the Commonwealth.
“Every day, I see cases that tug at my heartstrings,” she says. “I think about the physical and emotional toll of cancer on a patient and their family. It motivates me to know that my work to collect this data really matters.”
Her job is very much “behind the scenes,” and that’s why it was energizing for Heatha to be able to meet like-minded colleagues at the annual meeting of the National Cancer Registrars Association in Indianapolis. She attended training and education sessions on oncology advancements, met with peers, and spoke to presenters from across the country.
“It’s so important to stay current in the field and DPH really supports this kind of professional development. There are also lots of opportunities for professional growth. It’s a great place to work!”