For Kareem Bechnak, nursing isn’t just about healing – it’s about hacking healthcare inequality. As he prepares to graduate with his master’s degree in Health Care Informatics from the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus, he’s already using artificial intelligence to reshape how transgender patients access healthcare.

“Growing up in Beirut, I witnessed firsthand how war, political instability, and in some cases, the healthcare system, can create inequalities in receiving care,” he says.

Those experiences didn’t discourage him – they ignited a passion to create change from within the system.

Where Nursing Meets Technology

As a research nurse and data manager at Emory Hope Clinic in Atlanta, he’s bridging the gap between traditional nursing and cutting-edge technology.

His current project? Developing an AI-powered chatbot that helps transgender people navigate the complex maze of insurance.

“Mostly, I love that I can see the fruits of my labor,” Bechnak says. “As a research nurse, I see the data, I see it being published and how it makes a difference. I know I’m making patients' lives better systematically, either on a patient level or on a healthcare system level.”

“Patients will be able to use a chatbot to ask questions about their insurance and find out what’s covered for their care,” he says, thereby freeing up the patient’s time from navigating their coverage to getting the care they really need. “I don’t want to see my patients navigating barriers to understanding or receiving health insurance. I want them to have access to fair and unbiased healthcare.”

A Career in Informatics

For nurses considering advanced education, Bechnak’s experience at CU Nursing highlights the unique advantages of specializing in informatics:

• Flexible Learning: The program’s online format allows nurses to continue working while earning their degrees.
• Like-Minded Community: “I found my tribe – professors and faculty, who like me, have the drive to create better patient-centered care.”  
• Tangible Impact: “As a research nurse, I see the data, I see my work being published and making systematic changes in healthcare delivery, which can help reduce injustice and inequalities in care.”

Beyond the Bedside: Creating Systemic Change

While direct patient care remains crucial, Bechnak’s work demonstrates how nurses can expand their impact through informatics. His insurance navigation tool initially focuses on Georgia’s transgender community, and has the potential for nationwide implementation.

“Health care informatics is about building bridges,” he says. “We’re creating tools that make healthcare more accessible, understandable, and equitable for everyone – not just those who know how to navigate the system.”

Looking to the Future

For nurses passionate about healthcare justice, Bechnak emphasizes that informatics is one powerful tool in a larger toolkit.

“Technology alone isn’t the answer,” he says. “We need nurses who understand both patient care and systems thinking to drive policy changes and create lasting solutions.”

As healthcare continues to evolve, nurses with informatics expertise are uniquely positioned to lead the transformation from within. Whether you’re drawn to research, technology, or system-level change, a master's degree in Health Care Informatics offers a pathway to amplify your impact while staying true to nursing’s core mission: improving patient lives.