San Jacinto College Graduates Help Power the Fight Against Cancer
When people consider who is integral to the front lines of battling cancer, it’s probably doctors, nurses, and researchers that come to mind first. Yet behind every lifesaving treatment or public-health breakthrough stands a lesser-known professional: the oncology data specialist (ODS). These experts collect and interpret data that informs how cancer is understood, treated, and prevented.
At San Jacinto College, the Cancer Data Management program trains those specialists through a fully online, nationally accredited curriculum that combines flexibility with academic excellence.
Fully Accredited and 100% Online
Program Director Carla Ruffins joined San Jac in 2011 after a successful career leading health information management at HCA hospitals across Greater Houston. Pursuing her dream of using that expertise in higher education, she eventually took the helm of the new Cancer Data Management program. With the role of an ODS becoming more and more important, this online program’s significance cannot be overstated.
“Oncology data specialists fight cancer with data,” Ruffins states. “They may not be on the front lines dealing directly with patients, but they are a force behind the scenes. Without good data, clinicians and researchers cannot advance the treatment of cancer. When you hear of new drugs and new therapies being offered, it’s because they rely on accurate high-quality data coming from these oncology data specialists in order to move the needle and advance the treatment of cancer.”
Holding full accreditation from the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA), this remains the only accredited program of its kind in Texas, although this year marks a milestone for the program. After a letter from the NCRA urged San Jac to make its coursework available nationwide, the college’s leadership, led by Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer and the College’s Board of Trustees, approved an expansion to allow out-of-state students to enroll. This past summer, San Jac welcomed its first student from Washington state and has since added others from across the country.
“You can be successful in this program and be very successful in the field without having a healthcare background,” Ruffins comments, pointing out their influx of students who are transitioning from other majors, simply because they see what an opportunity this program offers.
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sponsored by: San Jacinto Community College
Meeting Growing National Needs
"When you hear of new drugs and new therapies being offered, it’s because they rely on accurate high-quality data coming from these oncology data specialists in order to move the needle and advance the treatment of cancer."
- Carla Ruffins,
Program Director of Cancer Data Management program
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and the number of diagnosed cases continues to rise. In fact, the American Cancer Society projects more than two million new cases in 2025 alone, driving the surging demand for trained professionals who can collect and manage cancer data accurately.
Congruent with this rising need, graduates of the program are finding employment in hospital cancer registries, public health agencies, and consulting firms. A terrific example is Valerie Rocha, a graduate of the program who—after following clinicals with Memorial Hermann—is now an oncology data specialist with Registry Partners.
“There is no shortage of jobs,” Rocha emphasizes. “I get phone calls and emails all the time. If you have a LinkedIn account, people are knocking down your door because we have such a shortage of ODSs right now. They’re realizing what an important role it is and starting to really pay well for the profession.”
By Monica Vanover on October 28, 2025
A Culture of Excellence and Support
Most students in the program already balance jobs, families, or caregiving responsibilities. For that reason, San Jac builds individualized study plans for each enrollee. Ruffins meets personally with every new student via Zoom to create a schedule that fits their needs.
Students can choose between two academic tracks: the Associate of Applied Science in Cancer Data Management or the Advanced Technical Certificate, which is designed for students who already hold a college degree in any discipline. Graduates of either track qualify to sit for the national ODS certification exam, administered by the NCRA. San Jac’s students consistently outperform the national average, which is proof the curriculum aligns with the latest industry expectations.
Every course is taught by certified oncology data specialists who bring their real-world expertise into the classroom. Despite being online, the program maintains a deeply personal touch, with live Zoom sessions, the availability of evening tutoring, and constant open communication between students and instructors.
Graduates and employers alike praise San Jac for the strength of its program. Hospitals actively recruit its alumni, knowing that San Jac graduates arrive certified, prepared, and ready to contribute.
When Rocha is asked why she would recommend San Jacinto College, there is no hesitation in her response. “Quality,” she says. “The quality they provide and the instructors they have are top-notch. Having gone through the program myself, I can confidently say the experience and education you receive are unmatched.”
For anyone looking to join the mission of contributing to the fight against cancer, whether starting a new career or advancing an existing one, San Jacinto College’s Cancer Data Management program offers a proven, flexible path toward a lucrative and meaningful career.
Admission to the Cancer Data Management program involves two steps. Prospective students first apply to San Jacinto College, then submit a separate program application available on the college’s website. Applications are accepted year-round. The next official cohort begins in the summer term, though many use the spring semester to complete prerequisites.
Those seeking more information should know that San Jac hosts virtual information sessions every Wednesday at noon, where Ruffins and her team meet with interested applicants to answer questions about prerequisites, course structure, and career outcomes.
Begin your journey today by visiting www.sanjac.edu.
Much of the work can be performed remotely, allowing oncology data specialists to enjoy a degree of flexibility that is rare in healthcare, with plenty of opportunities to work from home. Despite still living in Texas, Rocha herself works for a company based in North Carolina and continues to grow her career without moving across the country.
For those who might be concerned about job security in the age of AI, workers in this profession should be optimistic rather than worried.
“There was a lot of fear initially that AI was going to take over our jobs,” Rocha admits. “That’s never going to happen. There’s too much room for error when AI gets involved. However, I definitely think AI is going to be working alongside us in the cancer registry field.”
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San Jacinto College Graduates Help Power the Fight Against Cancer
Much of the work can be performed remotely, allowing oncology data specialists to enjoy a degree of flexibility that is rare in healthcare, with plenty of opportunities to work from home. Despite still living in Texas, Rocha herself works for a company based in North Carolina and continues to grow her career without moving across the country.
For those who might be concerned about job security in the age of AI, workers in this profession should be optimistic rather than worried.
“There was a lot of fear initially that AI was going to take over our jobs,” Rocha admits. “That’s never going to happen. There’s too much room for error when AI gets involved. However, I definitely think AI is going to be working alongside us in the cancer registry field.”
