MSHA Team Wins Baylor Case Competition

Tommy Burt, Lauren Naumcheff, and Matthew Barnes (HCM 2017) (all members of MSHA Class 53) won first place at Baylor University’s 4th annual Robbins Case Competition in Healthcare Management on October 19. In addition, Lauren Naumcheff was also selected as one of the three “Best Presenters” from the 11 graduate programs competing.

Competing universities are chosen from among full-time CAHME-accredited or BAMH member programs. Participation in the event is by invitation only. Participating schools in addition to UAB included: University of Colorado – Denver, Cornell University, George Washington University, The Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, Rush University, Saint Louis University, University of Toronto, Trinity University, and University of Washington – Seattle.

MSHA Class 53 Delivers A Perfect Score

The 13th Annual MSHA Golf Classic sponsored by Viva Health was held at Bent Brook Golf Course in Bessemer, AL on April 19, 2018.

MSHA Class 53 donated $6,000 to Magic Moments, located in Birmingham, as the 2018 beneficiary and local philanthropy. Class 53 was able to reveal a Magic Moment of providing a trip to Disney World to Birmingham local Lizzy Davis and her family. Lizzy, an 11 year old leukemia survivor, thought she was handing out trophies to winners of the 13th annual MSHA Golf Classic. Lizzy watched in disbelief as, suddenly, UAB students in brightly colored Disney costumes surrounded her. Pink, peach and purple balloons wafted upward as Lizzie’s name was called out in congratulations.

More information about Lizzy’s story can be found on the Alabama News Center website.

In addition, the event provided a scholarship fund for students who attended healthcare conferences for professional development and networking opportunities, such as the American College of Healthcare Executives Conference, HIMSS, and the National Symposium for Healthcare Executives.

The event featured 48 golfers with the team of Van Gladney, John Lambert, and Steve Hall from Medtronic taking home the 1st place prize that featured a 2-day trip to Pinehurst Resort. The second place team of Brenden Worth, Shannon Benton, Kenneth Downs, and Robert Martin each won a custom-suit from Jos. A Bank in Birmingham.

Class 53 would like to give a special thanks to our sponsors of Viva Health, UAB Health System and UAB Hospital, Medical Properties Trust, OrthoArkansas, Chris More Inc., Surgical Care Affiliates, BCBS of Alabama, Dunn Dental, PWC, Warren Averett, and Cardiovascular Associates of Mobile.

MSHA Students Gain Valuable “On the Job” Training within UAB Health System

Each fall, the Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) program at UAB admits a new cohort of students aspiring to become leaders in healthcare organizations. The mission of the MSHA program is “developing leaders to shape tomorrow’s healthcare through an exceptional master’s level educational experience.”

The UABHS/MSHA Student Workforce Program provides first year MSHA students with part-time jobs at a variety of locations within UAB Medicine. Students begin working in in areas including Hospital Administration, The Kirklin Clinic, Highlands, and Viva Health in October of their first year on campus and continue their roles through April.

Students are assigned to a variety of projects and have opportunities to make meaningful contributions in their roles as Student Associates. Mary Kate Beall, a second year student in the MSHA program spoke about how important the program was in her professional development. “The Student Workforce Program and the Performance Excellence Department diversified my skill set, and exposed me to new areas within the health system. It was an amazing experience that helped me better understand my strengths and weaknesses.” MSHA students have collaborated with UABHS leaders on projects including telemedicine initiatives, process improvement work, and business planning.

This October marked the fourth year of collaboration between UAB Health System and the MSHA program. Amy Landry, the Director of the MSHA program appreciates the experience students receive working within UAB. “The opportunity this program provides to our students is truly transformational for their professional development. We are grateful to Dr. Ferniany and the rest of the UABHS leadership team for their support of this initiative.” The program has proven mutually beneficial to both the MSHA Program and UAB Medicine. “The MSHA interns bring so much value to the organization. The students come to us prepared, open-minded, and ready for any challenge. The students have been successful in completing a number of strategic projects that have had a positive financial impact and led to improved quality outcomes for our patients,” states Kimberly Payne, Assistant Vice President of Ambulatory Services.