Clinical Business Intelligence Analyst Expert – Enterprise Analytics, Lehigh Valley Health Network
Lehigh Valley’s colleges and universities are well-known throughout the country and the world for producing outstanding graduates, with more than 10,000 people earning their degrees here each year. The students come from all over the world, and sometimes their experience leaves such a favorable impression that they decide to call the region home after graduating. One such story belongs to Walter Chesla, a clinical business intelligence analyst expert for Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Walter attended Muhlenberg College after growing up in nearby Schuylkill County, pursuing a degree in computer science. He stayed in the region for a few years after graduation working as a software developer in K-12 education. His work took him out west to Pittsburgh for a brief stint, but it didn’t take long before he found himself missing the area and the connections he had made in the Lehigh Valley.
Walter was also looking to bring his data analytics skills to a more meaningful role. “Lehigh Valley Health Network had openings and they were implementing new systems, so it was the right place at the right time for me,” he said.
His work as a data analyst involves coordinating with teams of doctors and nurses to utilize a wealth of data and information to ensure that patients are getting the correct care they need. He’s traveled to national conferences and seminars to present on the breakthrough technology and patient care that’s offered at LVHN. “I want people to realize out there across the country that we’re as good as anyone, if not better.”
When he’s not digging through data, he spends time outdoors hiking and mountain biking on the trails throughout the region, and cheering on the local professional sports teams: the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. “As a sports fan (actually a Pittsburgh sports fan), I love having a local hockey team and a local baseball team here in Lehigh Valley. When you see the IronPigs get called up to the Phillies, you feel like you have a little bit more of a connection to them.”
He’s found an additional role as an ambassador for new members to the growing team. “I’m always pitching to them that no matter what you like, you’re probably going to find it here. We have music and comedy shows at SteelStacks, there are so many good restaurants and so many good breweries around. If you just like being outside, you can go hiking, biking, kayaking, whatever it might be… and we have easy access to travel with a nice local airport that’s really convenient.”
“You have a little bit of a big city feel without some of the drawbacks that come with it, like traffic. And from where I live in Bethlehem, I can get pretty much anywhere in the Valley in about a half hour.”
Live like a local:
Best kept secret: Jacobsburg State Park. It’s this really expansive park with lots of great hiking and biking trails and it’s never too crowded.
Favorite date night spot: The Hamilton Kitchen. It’s where I had my first date with my wife, and we ended up getting married half a block away at The Vault.
Favorite weekend activity: Mountain biking – especially throughout the summer – at Trexler Park, Jordan Parkway, Nockamixon and Jacobsburg.