7 MHA Students Land New Roles Before Graduating
A recent development in the Bellevue University College of Business shows that furthering your education can quickly impact your career.
Seven current Bellevue University Master of Healthcare Administration students have accepted new positions recently. These students credit their experiences in the online classroom environment with helping them stand out in the ever-changing healthcare field.
“This is an incredible number for a single class of students in a cohort,” said Program Director Dr. Mike Freel. “Healthcare jobs have taken a hit during COVID-19, but the need for qualified providers and administrators hasn't changed. If anything, the need for strong, prepared leaders in healthcare is as critical now as it has ever been.”
Freel said the MHA program empowers students to excel in their roles for several reasons. First, online classes with students of diverse professional backgrounds increases overall learning. Second, the faculty teaching the courses are all experts with extensive hands-on experience in the subjects they teach.
Finally, Freel said, the MHA program has been designed to directly apply to students’ careers. “What students learn is immediately applicable for them in their organizations,” he said. “Assignments are often based in real-life scenarios where students are actively engaged in the operations of their organizations.”
MHA Success Stories
Learn about the new paths the MHA program has helped some of these students take:
Katelyn Ziebarth
Kearney, Neb.
Promoted to Administrator, Brookestone Gardens
“I believe my coursework has given me greater insight into my field. I have been given the opportunity to create improvement plans and analyze my facility deeper than I would in my day-to-day job. It has given me the confidence to know that I have the resources available to me to better my facility, my team and myself.”
Susan Gergas
Naples, Fla.
Accepted new position with Kindred at Home
“I decided to take a job with Kindred as it is the largest home health provider in the U.S. I feel there are many opportunities for someone with past management experience in healthcare as well as 23 years of working with patients. I feel like I am learning so much about the healthcare system’s leadership and hospital management. I also have an MBA from Bellevue University that allowed me to be a much better manager at my last job.”
Alisa Winkel
Fort Dodge, IA
Promoted to Clinic Manager, Iowa Heart Center-Ft. Dodge Division
“I was previously a physician liaison and had no formal clinical education. Getting my MHA was one way for the clinical staff to see me as a credible individual for the job. As I’m learning, I can 100% of the time relate it to various situations currently going on in our organization. Without this program, I would not feel as confident in my role as I do.”
Shanna Stofer
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Accepted new role as Vice President of Ancillary and Professional Services, Jennie Edmundson Hospital
“This new role puts me in an executive position, with more opportunities to work with strategy, service line growth and business development. The MHA program helped to tune up and develop some of my leadership skills. It forced me to dive deeper into the business features of healthcare. Being effective in the VP role will require many elements taught and developed in the MHA program. Each new course in the program directly applied to the profession of a healthcare leader.”