Bailey Orshan

How would you describe your experience as a Wagner student?

My experience as a Wagner student was very fulfilling and beneficial. I would strongly recommend Wagner to anyone looking to continue their education. I was able to take a very wide variety of courses but still focus on domestic health policy. This was particularly helpful as it allowed me to understand many different areas of health policy. I was also able to take other classes not directly related to my specialization, which helped me gain even more from the experience.  The professors and administration were amazing and I learned a lot from all of them and found them to be very knowledgeable and supportive. I also really enjoyed the different clubs and events. 

How did your Wagner experience prepare you professionally for what you are doing today?

I often use the knowledge and skills that I gained at Wagner in my current position at Mathematica.  While I may not often use the specific methods that I learned in my classes, the experience from class and in the Wagner community has helped me greatly. Wagner improved my writing, my leadership skills, my presentation skills, and introduced me to new ways to think about information. It also broadened my perspective as I was able to interact with many people in different industries, roles, and with different perspectives. Wagner made me a more well-rounded employee.

Describe your current job.

Mathematica is an organization that contracts with the federal government as well as state and local governments and foundations to provide expertise and support. I focus on the healthcare side mostly related to quality measurement and value-based payment programs.  My specific title is Senior Health Researcher . I work on multiple projects at a time and my role is either as the overall project director or leading specific tasks. Within these roles, I am responsible for many different aspects of the project and different types of tasks. I interact with clients, manage project staff and timelines, conduct data analysis, develop presentations, and write memos and reports.