MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – “Where does this step bring me?” Sometimes, a simple step in one direction can lead us to an outcome we never could have imagined. Whether it’s choosing a major, taking that job, or making the decision to invest in ourselves, our decisions, big or small, can lead to extraordinary things.

Janeris Lucca, a graduate of the Medical Office Management program at SUNY Orange knows this better than most.

“I never thought that one year after graduation I would be a practice operations manager.”

Lucca has taken over as a practice operations manager for St. Luke’s The Vascular Center in Pennsylvania. Her path to get there, however, was not as clear-cut as she initially intended. A Bronx native, Lucca graduated from the East Bronx Academy for the Future in 2008. After moving to Pennsylvania and taking a position at St. Luke’s University Health Network, an all too familiar obstacle presented itself, one for which SUNY Orange offered a unique solution.

“I was told I could not be given a supervisor position because I did not have a college degree,” says Lucca. “I decided that I would move back to New York and take advantage of going back to school. I had done some research and saw that SUNY Orange offered a Medical Office Management program. I am very passionate about the medical field, but more on the administrative side, and knew that this was something I needed to do now.”

Lucca began attending SUNY Orange in 2019 and earned her Medical Office Management degree in 2022. Immediately after graduating, she took on a local internship at Garnet Health, providing her with immediate experience in the field.

“Garnet Health was such an eye-opener for me. It consisted of me mostly shadowing all of the practice administrators from different specialties across the network. It was very informative to see the teamwork and to pick each manager’s brain on how they handle their daily tasks and even situations that arise.”

While this internship was insightful, with it came a proverbial “fork in the road.” “After my internship, I had a choice to make: accept a position at Garnet Health or go back to Pennsylvania to work at St. Luke’s The Vascular Center. I decided to go to Pennsylvania,” Lucca explains.

St. Luke’s The Vascular Center is a Pennsylvania-based practice of St. Luke’s University Health Network. The practice oversees 10 office locations, with surgeries at eight major hospitals, nine vascular surgeons, and eight nurse practitioners.

Lucca was hired as the practice coordinator, supervising a small call center of three members while working directly with management. This decision, while at the moment seemed to have a clear outcome, would eventually lead to an even bigger opportunity.

“In August, my Practice Administrator gave her notice, leaving the practice after managing it for the past three years. I decided to apply for the Practice Administrator II position, and I was offered the position with just one year under my belt.”

A self-described introvert, Lucca credits her professors at SUNY Orange for instilling her with the confidence needed through their individualistic attention to her as a student.

“I remember in one of my business courses with Professor (Don) Urmston, we talked about leadership and how it may differ depending on the type of person you are. I am very introverted, and he suggested that I read the book ‘The Introverted Leader-Building on Your Quiet Strength’ by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler. I resonated with that book so much and learned a lot of valuable information on how to be a great leader.”

Lucca’s story is a testament to the power of a decision. Her decision to choose SUNY Orange led her down a path that she would have never imagined, ultimately situating her in a career she is passionate about while overseeing 10 office locations and 16 providers.

“I am so grateful for SUNY Orange and all of the staff,” Lucca adds. “My experience and degree have helped me to perform to the best of my abilities while utilizing everything I learned.”