The world’s finest health professionals make the U-M Health System (UMHS) go, and so do behind-the-scenes staff including senior software developer Sam Ritter.
Ritter created the MNet program for UMHS that aids patient care by speeding up the delivery of medical information to a patient’s primary doctor. Ritter was co-creator of MCall, a system for UMHS Public Relations and Marketing that accelerates work flow. The software enabled U-M to save money by reducing the number of new hires.
Ritter began working at U-M almost nine years ago. He says he’s interested in software development because of the work’s complexity. “It’s a mental exercise that offers virtually limitless learning possibilities,” Ritter says. “I love to be challenged mentally.”
His first attempt at a post-secondary education began at U-M in 1981. “I wasn’t quite ready for advanced schooling and took a break to try to decide what I really wanted to do,” he says.
When Ritter returned to academics, he attended Washtenaw Community College where he earned an associate’s degree in general studies with a concentration in computer science.
While working in 1998 as a software engineer at Proquest, he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Eastern Michigan University. After graduation, U-M gave Ritter the opportunity to put his software knowledge to work.
A typical workday for Ritter begins at the Arbor Lakes building around 6 a.m.; he often stays as late as 6 p.m. His work to develop MNet and MCall involved long hours both to complete the programs and to debug. Ritter’s current challenge is a project for the Interpreter Services at UMHS that will be used to help schedule staff.
He also is an accomplished photographer. His exhibit “Element Water” recently was on display at Ypsilanti’s Riverside Art Center Gallery. With more than 30 photographs varying in size and texture, his collection focused on water’s calm and reflective qualities.
Ritter was attracted to photography as a boy. “I liked taking photos with my parents’ old Polaroid, but it never seemed to go very far until I was out on my own,” he says. “I saved my money and bought myself a Nikon FA and basically played with photography.”
Over the years, Ritter photography tastes have not changed. “I photograph what inspires me at the moment,” he says. For Ritter, leaving the house without his camera is like leaving the house without his wallet. “I take camera gear most places I go,” he says. Whether it’s a special event or just the family vacation, his camera is somewhere close by. “I just love photographing the world around me.”
Photography also provides a change in scenery for Ritter. “I love nature photography. It gets me outside and away from my computer for a while and provides some exercise,” he says.
When asked about his approach to color in photography, Ritter says every situation is different. “Some images are all about color as some images are all about form. Also some images are all about subdued color,” Ritter says. “I just use what the subject requires.” In pursuing both software development and photography, Ritter says, “I want to know all that I can. I want to produce the best possible work I’m able to.”
In addition to photography, Ritter loves spending time with his dogs and wife, “not necessarily in that order,” he says.
The weekly Spotlight features staff members at the University. To nominate a candidate, please contact the Record staff at [email protected].
