Three 2015 spring graduates of the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health are soon headed for year-long programs of extended learning in health administration.
In June, Jacob Robinson, MHA, and Melissa Yandell, MPH, will undertake Administrative Residencies with Baptist Health in Little Rock. In the year ahead, they will have the opportunity to work closely with senior leaders and will report directly to the hospital CEO on projects typical of a large health system – strategic planning and financial management; clinical ambulatory, support, patient care, and ancillary services; and educational programs.
In July, Stewart Clark, MHA, will begin an Administrative Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. As one of six fellows, he will tackle projects either submitted by the Clinic or its Middle East campus. Some projects will be solo endeavors, but some will be a team effort of the fellows.
“Projects vary from operations to strategy and everything in between,” Mr. Clark said. “The Cleveland Clinic has some exciting opportunities that I am thrilled to be a part of. The Cleveland Clinic offers the chance to have an impact on not only the health of Ohioans, but on the health of the nation and the world; that’s what has me most excited.”
Ms. Yandell, who is from Austin, Ark., and holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in Conway, says that she has “always had a passion for health care” and the residency is an opportunity to apply her “God-given talents of administration to form a career path that has proven to be the perfect fit for me.”
She already has had the chance to apply her talents while working the past year for the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy (MIRT) at UAMS as a Quality Management Graduate Assistant, which included revisions to the MIRT’s Quality Plan.
Mr. Robinson is from Little Rock and has a bachelor’s degree in health sciences with an emphasis in health services administration from UCA. He already has more than two years of experience working in health care administration, most recently as a Management Assistant for Little Rock Pediatric Clinic. He says that he chose the MHA program at UAMS – the only such program in the state accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) – to be “equipped with a strong skill set for my future career as a leader and professional in the healthcare industry.”
Mr. Clark is an honors graduate, also from UCA, with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences with a concentration in health administration. He too has more than two years’ experience working in healthcare, all at UAMS. He has worked the past year as a Graduate Assistant for the UAMS Chief Finance Officer and has assisted with the consolidation of UAMS’ financial operations and redesign of current budget and human resources processes.
All three of these highly qualified MHA graduates are poised for an exciting year ahead and rewarding careers in health administration. While deserving of high praise for their hard work, they are quick credit others for having a hand in their success.
“I cannot thank the faculty enough for giving the encouragement and knowledge to reach my full potential,” Ms. Yandell said.
Mr. Clark agreed. “The MHA program at UAMS opened every door that I walked through to get to my fellowship. I am very thankful for the faculty and my fellow students, who consistently pushed me to where I am today.”
The combination of didactic and hands-on learning were also a plus, according to Mr. Robinson.
“The program provides a strong combination of traditional classroom work and experiential learning in healthcare organizations, supplemented by valuable networking opportunities,” he said.