What brought you to the UW MHA Program?
After deciding not to attend medical school, which had been my plan through college, I knew I still wanted a career in health care, although I was unsure about my options. I spoke with several hospital administrators who explained that their careers were essentially the practice of business management skills in the health care arena. This appealed to me immensely and seemed to better align with my personal skill set and interests than medical school. I decided to pursue an MBA concurrently with the MHA degree in an effort to even better prepare myself for a successful career in health care administration.

What was your undergraduate major?
I studied biology at Gonzaga University.

What work experience did you have before coming to the UW MHA Program?
After graduating from college, I worked as a research technician at the University of Idaho Caine Veterinary Teaching and Research Center in Caldwell, Idaho, where I biotyped isolates of Pasteurella, a strain of potentially harmful bacteria often responsible for the death of bighorn sheep. Immediately prior to beginning graduate school, I was an executive assistant at a law firm, where I focused on my role as an attorney/client liaison. During my tenure, I also drafted and edited office documents, trained associates on the use of new software, and established a new office branch.

What do you feel are the strengths of the UW MHA Program?
The MHA Program facilitates student projects with community health care organizations throughout the curriculum, which provides invaluable "real world" experience. Also, the collaborative nature of the program (made possible by small class sizes) and the depth of knowledge and expansive experience of the faculty foster a great learning environment. The MBA Program staff is incredibly dedicated to the success of the students, consistently available and willing to provide assistance. Finally, the MHA Program provides the flexibility necessary to concurrently pursue an MBA or a number of other graduate degrees.

Are there any outstanding or unique experiences that you would like to share regarding the UW MHA Program?
I've had the privilege of interning at both Swedish Medical Center and University of Washington Medical Center. Both internships provided excellent exposure to a vast array of positions in hospital management as well as numerous networking opportunities. Additionally, both internships allowed me to take ownership of projects including program evaluations, service line assessments, and various components of a system-wide strategic planning process, which strengthened my critical thinking and problem solving skills.

What goals do you plan to pursue for your career in health care management?
I am interested in a career in either hospital or physician group management.

Upon her graduation in June 2009, Sarah accepted the position of Special Projects Coordinator for University of Washington Medical Center Administration in Seattle, WA.