Benjamin Franklin Institute Class of 2015 graduate Damien Leach was the student speaker at the commencement ceremony. Leach works at the Mass General Physicians Organization in Charlestown.
Damien Leach had a well-rounded, multi-faceted experience at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT), the non-profit, private technical college located in the South End
A resident of Roxbury, Leach was a member of the first graduating class from the only Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Technology (HIT) in Massachusetts.
He completed a 160-hour internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital Physicians Organization in the department of physicians’ analytics and business intelligence. He was offered a full-time position at the conclusion of his internship at the offices located in Charlestown.
“My internship at BFIT led to a full time position,” said Leach. “My training – knowing about health care to being computer savvy – my classes definitely helped me. I worked with some great people during my internship and I’m still learning.
“BFIT is an innovative college – from our state-of-the-art Automotive Hybrid lab to our nationally recognized optician program to our new partnership with Plum Choice – we get hands-on experience that reinforces our academic work.”
Leach 24, who also holds an Associate’s Degree from BFIT, concluded his academic career with a major honor, having served as the student speaker for the Class of 2015 commencement ceremonies. He shared the stage with Gov. Charlie Baker, who delivered the commencement address.
Leach said his internship experience was helpful and rewarding and set the foundation for entry into his field. He also noted the small teacher-to-the-ratio that allowed for valuable interactions with the distinguished BFIT faculty.
“I liked the hands-on experience that each student receives from his very first semester at the college,” said Leach. “I had some great professors whom I recognized in my commencement speech – Dr. Larson Rogers Dr. Gerald Elysee, and Dr. Marianne Lepp.”
Looking back at his years at BFIT, Leach said he enjoyed his college experience and he was honored to be the student speaker at the commencement ceremonies. He was the top student academically in the HIT program.
“I studied hard every day and I worked hard,” said Leach. “I was very hungry. I tried to make things happen in my college experience and I found the college to be the perfect fit for my educational goals and career aspirations.”
Make that the perfect B-FIT.