Treasure Smith: Bridging Data and Compassion in Healthcare
Bold decisions often lead to the most meaningful transformations. For Treasure Smith, returning to school wasn’t just a step forward—it was a commitment to purpose. A non-traditional student and recent graduate in the Class of 2025, Treasure completed her bachelor’s degree in Data Science at UNC Charlotte while simultaneously pursuing a master’s in Health Informatics and Analytics through the university’s early-entry program.
“Returning to school was a bold and intentional decision for me,” Treasure reflects.
“Data science opened the door to a career that blends purpose with possibility—and I’ve been all in ever since.”
Originally from Indian Trail, North Carolina, she chose UNC Charlotte for its strong programs in data science and healthcare—and for its ability to support her academic goals while staying close to home. It proved to be the perfect place to launch both personal and professional growth.
Turning Insight Into Impact
Treasure’s academic journey has been driven by a clear mission: to use data to improve healthcare outcomes and expand access—especially for underserved communities. That mission has taken root in her professional role as a Quality Analyst at Atrium Health, one of Charlotte’s largest hospital networks. There, she ensures the accuracy of clinical estimates and helps build systems that empower patients through transparency and trust.
“My motivation stems from wanting to improve care for those affected by chronic conditions like sickle cell anemia,” she shares.
“It’s a cause that’s close to my heart.”
Her work is more than technical—it’s deeply personal. And it’s made possible by the foundation she built at UNC Charlotte. Treasure credits faculty like Dr. Marco Scipioni for helping her gain confidence and clarity in her path. “He explained data science in a way that made sense to me and played a key role in my early admission to grad school,” she says.
Academic Excellence and Ambition
As a Truist Scholar and Honors student graduating cum laude, Treasure exemplifies the power of determination and focus. She describes her experience at UNC Charlotte in three words:
Growth. Focus. Purpose.
“What I know about myself now that I didn’t before UNC Charlotte is that I’m capable of more than I thought—academically, professionally, and personally.”
Her future plans include continuing her work in healthcare analytics, with long-term goals of entering epidemiology to address healthcare disparities at a systems level.
“I want to help reshape the way we care for people—especially those who are often overlooked,” she says.
Leading with Empathy and Data
Now a graduate, Treasure remains driven by the same principles that guided her academic journey: compassion, curiosity, and impact.
“What excites me most about the future is making real change in healthcare,” she says.
“Data became my purpose—a bold path toward transforming healthcare through insight and impact.”