I chose public health with a focus on health services management because I wanted to make a tangible difference in the healthcare system. I have a passion for community and population health, and I was drawn to the idea of improving healthcare delivery and outcomes on a broad scale. This program allowed me to combine my interests in innovation, management, and public health, equipping me with the skills to drive meaningful change and promote health equity.

Yes, I have a strong research interest in healthcare innovation, particularly in developing and implementing solutions that improve infant safety and health outcomes. I am also interested in exploring the impact of health services management strategies on population health, especially in underserved communities. My focus is on leveraging data-driven insights and market research to optimize healthcare delivery and promote effective, scalable interventions.

My career path began with a focus on public health and health services management, which I pursued during my studies at Indiana University Fort Wayne. While earning my degree, I gained valuable experience in marketing and project management through my work with the university's marketing department and my internship with the innovation team at Parkview Health. This led to a full-time role on Parkview's business research and strategy team, where I honed my skills in market research, sales, and strategic planning.

My passion for healthcare innovation and infant safety guided me back to the innovation team at Parkview Mirro Center for Innovation and Research, where I now lead operations for Safe Sleep Simulation. In this role, I have expanded our market reach, driven revenue growth, and built strong relationships with key stakeholders. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to promoting health equity, advancing innovative solutions, and making a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape.

In my role, I wear many hats, managing a diverse array of responsibilities daily. I oversee operations for Safe Sleep Simulation, handling client interactions, facilitating conferences and webinars, driving revenue, and ensuring project success. Additionally, I manage HR tasks for our joint venture with Excel Sports, including onboarding and process improvement, while also assisting in the facilitation of logistics and partnerships for innovative healthcare start-ups. My daily tasks include strategic planning, event preparation and travel, crafting sales campaigns, facilitating meetings, taking detailed notes, and ensuring efficient follow-up to keep initiatives on track.

I’d advise my college self to embrace every opportunity for hands-on experience and networking. Dive into internships and projects that align with your professional interests. Build reliable relationships with mentors and industry professionals, as they can offer invaluable guidance and open doors for future opportunities. Stay curious and proactive about learning, and don’t be afraid to explore diverse roles within your field to discover what truly excites you. Most importantly, be patient and persistent; career paths often take unexpected turns, but each step contributes to your growth and success!

One key lesson I learned during my studies was the critical need for passionate advocates in health equity. My coursework and experiences highlighted how addressing health disparities requires dedication and a deep commitment to making a difference. This insight has been invaluable in my career, driving me to focus on innovative solutions and projects that promote health equity and improve outcomes for underserved populations. My passion for these issues has shaped my approach to project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, ensuring that I contribute meaningfully to advancing health equity in every aspect of my work.

The most significant thing that’s happened to me since graduating is the opportunity to travel nationwide for work, which has allowed me to showcase Safe Sleep Simulation at conferences and connect with public health professionals across the country. This experience has not only broadened my horizons but also helped me discover and truly embrace my passions. It has been incredibly rewarding to find a career path that aligns so closely with my interests and values!

What’s next for me includes a move to Chicago in May, where I plan to continue advancing my career in healthcare innovation. Regardless of where this journey takes me, I am committed to deepening my involvement in infant and maternal public health, whether through further education or new opportunities in the field!

My favorite college memory is so hard to choose, but it would have to be my role at IUFW, where I was actively involved in event planning and had the unique opportunity to help create the IUFW mascot Ruby the Red Fox! Working on these projects allowed me to contribute creatively to the university community.

I chose to study Health Care Administration because I had a strong desire to promote healing and care for individuals but I did not want to provide direct patient care. As a health care administrator, I am able to do just that.

In my current role, I am responsible for the oversight and supervision of all administrative staff within the mental health department. I am direct supervisor for two managers. One manager supervises the onsite clinics at the main hospital and the other manager supervises our call center staff along with our offsite clinics.

In addition, I supervise four analysts, the administrative assistant, and the timekeeper for the service. Aside from supervision, I am responsible for recruitment of physicians, advance nurse practitioners (APNs), social workers, psychologists, and administrative staff. I coordinate the onboarding process and service orientation for all new employees. I manage the department budget, any contracts we have, equipment needs, and overall day to day department operations.

My first job after graduating with my undergrad degree was patient access representative at a local hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I served in this role for several years before going back to obtain my MHA. While working on my MHA degree, I completed an internship at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center in the director's office. I was offered a position upon graduation and started as a program analyst in the surgery department.

In my current role, I find myself utilizing the material I learned in my Human Resources Management class, my organizational leadership class, and finance.

During my time in the MHA program, I completed an internship at MDwise. At MDwise, I gained knowledge related to Indiana managed care programs. I completed this internship in 2013 during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I assisted in the development of their product on the Health Care Marketplace. I also completed an internship at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center where I learned about hospital department operations, the roles of the providers, and the health care administrators. I gained leadership skills and data analytic skills. I was introduced to LEAN process improvement tools and I learned about various areas of the health care industry that were of interest to me. Most importantly from both of these roles, I was able to build relationships with my colleagues and build my professional network.

Networking impacted my career greatly. I joined professional associations like ACHE and IHEN. I also had a professional mentor.