"Quite honestly, I chose UAB because it was the highest ranking school in the warmest climate! Despite my initial motive, I am fortunate to have made a wonderful decision for my education as well. The MSHA program at UAB is more than an opportunity to learn from an extremely dedicated faculty. It is more than a degree from a top-ranking program. It is more than the foundation of your profession. I will forever remember my time at UAB as a moment in my life when my talents were acknowledged and encouraged; where I met lifelong friends, and where the number 40 became a way of life. When I went to my fellowship (in New Orleans only months after hurricane Katrina), I felt completely prepared and supported. I received calls and well wishes from the faculty and my classmates. And in my current role, I am confident that my success is very much attributable to the many lessons I learned at UAB. You can be educated in health care administration almost anywhere; but you can become a better person, friend and colleague at UAB's MSHA program.”
Pebblin D. Warren
Director, Physician Recruitment & Retention
East Jefferson General Hospital
Class 40
MSHA 2006
“When evaluating graduate schools, I considered many of the top ten healthcare administration programs. The UAB MSHA program ranking, residency requirement, well-established network in the healthcare industry and dual-degree options were factors that first interested me in attending the University. After spending time exploring Birmingham and meeting then current students, faculty and staff at UAB, the choice was effortless. The MSHA program’s focus on a “real world” educational experience is unparalleled and is evident in the multitude of requirements from surgical and other clinical rotations to the importance placed on attending educational seminars, often hosted by UAB. The aforementioned preparation enabled me to flourish during my residency at Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, and the fundamentals learned during my training continue to prove effective now that I serve in an operational role for the system. Finally, networking opportunities through the alumni association and through close contact with my own classmates abound and have proven invaluable. I unequivocally recommend UAB’s MSHA program to anyone who is serious about pursuing a career in healthcare administration.”
Adam Cook
Manager of System Operations
Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare
Memphis, Tennessee
Class 40
MBA 2006, MSHA 2007
“As a native Virginian I never considered leaving the East Coast. Although I applied and spoke with representatives from several of the top ten programs in Health Administration including UAB, I was set to attain my Masters in Health Administration from another university and had my acceptance letter signed and ready to be mailed. Never having been to Alabama, I decided to fly to Birmingham and have a look. During my interview I met with several professors, spoke with current students, and walked around downtown Birmingham. I was immediately sold; I had never seen a city where you can walk to more than five hospitals from one location and a school where everyone was genuinely friendly and interested in my academic and professional success. My two years at UAB was an enlightening experience. I had an opportunity to work closely with many of the professors and had access to the local hospitals and their professionals. I developed lasting relationships and learned invaluable lessons that will follow me throughout my healthcare career. Part of the MSHA program at UAB is a 9-12 month residency at a healthcare organization of your choice. My administrative fellowship at the Inova Health System is the best career move I could have made and I probably would not have been chosen for this nationally competitive fellowship if I did not earn my MSHA at UAB. I use the skills and knowledge I gained at UAB everyday at the Inova Health System. It is a great feeling to know that I can always call on my fellow classmates, professors, and alumni for advice and support. I strongly recommend the MSHA program at UAB to anyone seeking a career in healthcare management.”
Jessica Martello
Administrative Fellow
Inova Health System
Falls Church, Virginia
Class 40
MBA 2006, MSHA 2007
“As an Air Force Officer, I was looking for a school that had great quality education at a reasonable price. I got that at UAB. I bonded immediately with several of the staff and had a chance to be active in my MSHA class leadership as well as another medical organization on campus. I made some lifelong friends, enjoyed the urban setting of downtown Birmingham, took advantage of UAB's fantastic new recreation facility, and had a wonderful residency experience at Children's Hospital of Alabama. My wife completed her masters in Special Education and had an awesome experience at UAB as well. My family loved being in Birmingham for our two years of school, and I know there is a loving family in the MSHA program who will continue to foster pride in the current students, alumni, and overall program. I'm now putting my education to use in the Air Force serving as the Director of Medical Logistics at our Tinker Air Force Base Clinic and will soon deploy to Afghanistan to help with our nation-building efforts in Operation Enduring Freedom.”
Chad Breedlove
Director of Medical Logistics
Tinker Air Force Base Clinic
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Class 40
MSHA 2006
" UAB is known for many things: ranked in the top 10 Health Administration programs, a residency curriculum to complete the MSHA, a strong faculty, and a great location. One thing that is not ranked or quantified is the mentoring relationships established between students and faculty, alumni, and their peers. The MSHA program at UAB connects students and encourages them to learn from other healthcare leaders. As one of my mentors (and a Class 12 UAB alum also), Mike Tarwater, said to me once, “the UAB program can take bright people and help them become healthcare executives by teaching them the process of how to lead.” It is not the facts and equations that I learned at UAB that help me in my operational role at Carolinas Medical Center – instead, it is the tools that UAB provided that help me make the best decisions for my organization, employees, physicians, and ultimately, my patients. These tools come from my interactions with other leaders, who mentor and teach us by their example.”
Jenna Groner
Manager, CMC Surgery
Carolinas Medical Center
Charlotte, North Carolina
Class 39
MSHA 2005
"A top 10 MSHA program, a required Administrative Residency experience, and the flexibility to complete a joint MSHA/MBA are what compelled me to apply to and attend UAB’s MSHA program. In addition to these factors, it was the faculty, staff, fellow students, and the alumni network I grew to know that connected me to a program of which I am proud to say I am a graduate.
The moment I stepped onto campus I was introduced to a cohort of classmates with whom I would spend the next two years learning about the dynamic healthcare environment. While building a network of healthcare contacts, I learned from professors determined to produce a well-rounded class of healthcare executives. Learning came not only from inside classrooms, but also "real-world" experiences through the various projects and interactions with the local healthcare executives. It was the classroom learning along with the strong focus on "real-world" professional interactions that prepared me for the administrative residency and ultimately a career in healthcare.
Now in the healthcare field, I feel I can rely on the academics from UAB and reach out to the strong network of alumni to continue cultivating my knowledge of the industry and profession.”
Clint Kaho
Director, Project Management
Baptist Hospital East
Louisville, Kentucky
Class 39
MBA 2005, MSHA 2006
“After a last minute decision during the fall semester of my senior year in college to pursue a career in the health care industry instead of investment banking, I immediately began a national search for the best Masters programs in Healthcare Administration. From the outset, the UAB MSHA program’s emphasis on the residency requirement and its comprehensive curriculum complemented the experience I was seeking in a graduate program. I proceeded with the application process at a number of schools across the country and went for an on-site interview at UAB in April of 2003. Although I forgot to pack my black dress shoes, purchased a new pair thirty minutes prior to the commencement of the interview, and was roughly thirty minutes late to the interview, the faculty and students created one of the most comfortable interview processes that I had experienced. Although many of the programs to which I applied offered a competitive graduate education, I was confident the UAB MSHA program was the perfect fit for me. I was not disappointed when I enrolled in the program in August 2003. The UAB MSHA program not only provided a foundation in core healthcare administration concepts, but also challenged students to consider the future of healthcare amid ubiquitous change. The daily access to healthcare resources at a renowned academic medical center further enhanced the experience. Above all, I met some of my closest peers and now have access to a network of healthcare administration professionals across the country. I always recommend the UAB MSHA program to professionals and students and know without a doubt that I chose a premier MSHA program.”
Jordan DeMoss
Assistant Administrator
UAB Highlands
Birmingham, Alabama
Class 39
MSHA 2005
“The UAB Alumni Network, which spans the entire country, is one of the many special features the MSHA program has to offer. UAB alumni seem to be present at every healthcare institution I visit, including my current organization. Furthermore, the professors and administration of the UAB MSHA program are dedicated to following up with alumni of all levels. I continue to keep in touch with my professors from UAB, although I live hundreds of miles away. As Business Manager of Emergency and Trauma Services at UF& Shands Jacksonville, I feel confident in my abilities to improve emergency medicine. This confidence comes from learning early on the significance of establishing strong physician relationships. The UAB MSHA program acknowledges the importance of real-life experiences to provide the foundation for a successful career in Healthcare.”
Jamie Box Dabal
Business Manager, Emergency and Trama Services
Shands Jacksonville Medical Center
Jacksonville, Florida
Class 39
MBA 2005, MSHA 2006
“As I considered where to attend graduate school, I was interested in UAB because of its distinction as one of the top 10 programs in health administration. However, I was even more impressed by the faculty and staff because of the personal interest they take in each student. I not only received a world class education on the fundamentals of healthcare administration, but also gained a network of classmates and mentors that I will use throughout my career.
I felt prepared and confident as I began my administrative residency at Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare. I have since moved into an operational role where I continue to use the skills I developed during my time at UAB and also draw on the experiences of other UAB graduates and faculty.
I would encourage anyone interested in a career in healthcare administration to strongly consider UAB. I received a great education, but most importantly, I became part of a network that is committed to my future success."
Rebecca Mims
Manager of System Operations
Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare
Memphis, Tennessee
Class 38
MBA 2004, MSHA 2005
“I began my search for healthcare administration graduate schools by applying to the top programs identified by the U.S. News and World Report. After a number of interviews with various programs, my decision to attend the MSHA program at UAB was simple. I became immediately attracted to the welcoming faculty and staff, which right away made me feel “at home.” Coupled with the reputation surrounding UAB’s active alumni network, rigorous classroom curriculum, and required on-site residency, UAB became my #1 choice. Over the two years I spent at UAB, I developed a strong understanding of the fundamentals surrounding healthcare administration. Through financial, leadership, marketing, and planning courses, I felt prepared to not only tackle an on-site administrative residency, but also a career in the healthcare administration field. Equally as important as the classroom experience, were the bonds I formed with classmates, faculty and staff. These relationships have transcended far after my graduation.
My administrative residency at the University of Florida and Shands Jacksonville was one of the most educational experiences of the entire MSHA program. It provided the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real life situations, and to gain enough experience to substantiate a level of comfort in my own abilities. Upon completion of the residency, I moved into an operational management position within the organization and continued to capitalize on the connections I established throughout my residency.
With the relationships I built throughout the program, I feel continuously supported in my career endeavors. I know there are fellow classmates, faculty, staff, and other alumni out there to offer guidance. The UAB MSHA program provided me with more than a graduate school experience; it has created a lifetime network of support."
Amanda Baeker
Operation’s Manager for Cancer Services
UF & Shands Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Class 38
MBA 2004, MSHA 2005
“During my search for a graduate school, I limited myself to schools ranked in the top ten, because of their reputation and prestige. The decision to enroll in the Master's program at UAB became clear after my visit to the campus and experiencing the culture of the program. Not only are the professors more than capable academically, but they also take a personal interest in your career and individual development. UAB fostered my growth and prepared me for the challenges that I faced throughout my fellowship. I felt confident in my abilities and felt capable of owning my projects. Currently in my new management role, I feel that I am taking that personal interest that was shown to me and transferring that to my staff. UAB raised the level of expectation I have for myself, and I am proud to be an alumnus of the program."
Jacqueline J. Robinson
Manager, Department of Cardiology
Ochsner Clinic Foundation
Class 37
MBA 2003, MSHA 2004
“When I first chose UAB to obtain my MSHA degree, I chose it simply on a great location and a great ranking and reputation. Those two attributes were important to me and being in the center of the South and a top 10 school in healthcare administration, I knew I had made the right choice. However, the education that I received there was wonderful and will serve me well in my career but I left with something that I think is more beneficial and career developing and that is the network that UAB can provide. From past alumni to my classmates and from executives met at conferences to top local and regional administrators, UAB's MSHA was the avenue that developed a network that I can maintain and cultivate throughout my career.”
Brian C. Massey
Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Birmingham, Alabama
Class 36
MBA 2002, MSHA 2003
"One of the reasons that I chose UAB's MSHA Program is because of its outstanding alumni network. The faculty of the MSHA Program does a superb job of staying connected with their highly successful and talented graduates. For current students the alumni group serves as a tremendous resource, both in learning and career opportunities. Alumni are involved in the interviewing process, in residency placement and preceptorship; they attend the annual ACHE congresses in Chicago and the Department's Annual Health Care Symposium in Sandestin, Forida. They are always willing to extend opportunities for class work, for student internships while still in school, or simply a mentoring relationship with students who will soon be facing entry into the healthcare executive workforce.
The faculty of the MSHA Program makes a conscious effort at continuous improvement. They constantly look for ways to improve the classroom experience, to expose students to real-world experience, and to stay abreast of the rapidly changing healthcare market.
UAB's MSHA Program is primarily focused on producing effective healthcare executives, capable of entering into hospital operations, consulting, strategic planning, or even long-term care specialties. As a result, I think that has broadened my opportunities tremendously. The program is also highly flexible, offering a number of options to me as a student. We have the opportunity to pursue a joint MSHA/MBA degree and to take courses in other Schools and Programs within UAB such as public health, health informatics, and others. This flexibility gives graduates of the program the ability to enter into a wide range of careers."
Kate Bishop
Financial Analyst, Vanderbilt Medical Group
Nashville, Tennessee
UAB Class 35
MBA 2001, MSHA 2002
"All nationally ranked programs provide an excellent education through superb faculty. However, UAB has provided me with so much more. Through both local and national events, I have already formed a solid networking foundation from which I can build upon throughout the rest of my healthcare career. This has undoubtedly been the most valuable asset I have gained while attending school here at UAB."
Daniel StantonUAB Class 35
Executive Coordinator, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare
Memphis, Tennessee
MBA 2001, MSHA 2002
"My selection of the UAB Health Administration/MBA master's degree program was an easy choice because of its Top 10 ranking, comprehensive curriculum, and competitive tuition rates. After almost 10 years in the work force, I knew advanced coursework in economics, strategic planning, and finance would be essential for further advancement in the field. My UAB training has provided strategic skills that strengthen my marketability in the field at this key turning point in my career."
Rochelle ArchuletaSenior Associate Director for Policy Development, American Hospital Association
Washington, DC
UAB Class 35
MSHA/MBA 2002
Winston Fellow
"The generalist orientation of the MSHA Program at UAB and the structured residency program gave me a reality-based education that has benefited me throughout my career."
Brenita Crawford Executive Vice-President
Methodist Health Care System
Houston, Texas
MSHA 1978
"The combination of the MSHA with the Certificate in Gerontology provided me with the knowledge necessary to successfully pass the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators Exam on my first attempt. Regardless of the field in which my career takes me, from hospitals and social services to home health care and long-term care, UAB's program is always recognized and well respected."
Gretchen Napier Executive Director
Morningside of Franklin
Franklin, Tennessee
Class 29
MSHA 1995