More Student Profiles . . .
I attended Seattle public schools and did my undergraduate study at Harvard. I completed medical school and ophthalmology training at the UW, followed by a research fellowship at University of California at San Francisco. I served on the Group Health medical staff before engaging my entrepreneurial drive and becoming sole proprietor in a consultative private practice. I also enjoyed serving as clinical assistant professor in the UW Department of Ophthalmology for several years.
Over the years my interests evolved into a broader lens of population health and systems. I sought to impact the lives of children and families, which brought about residencies in adult and child psychiatry at the UW. I currently serve as clinical assistant professor in the UW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. During the past seven years, as the only child psychiatrist for Group Health Seattle Campus, I developed the instinct to extend my touch beyond delivering individual patient care.
Twenty years of clinical practice has been rewarding but constraining for personal and professional development. In 2003, I completed 18 credits in the UW Extended Degree MPH Program, which has an emphasis on public policy and public health research. I did not find that the curriculum addressed administrative, leadership, and business skills, so I looked into a number of regional and distance learning MBA programs including the UW and Seattle University. It appeared that going the MBA route would have been fine if I wanted to leave health care entirely, but I want to remain in the industry and do not want to give up the years of tenure I have in medicine. In the end, I enrolled in the UW Certificate Program in Medical Management and found the cohort and emphasis more to my liking. Subsequently pursuing the Executive MHA Program was a natural progression for me.
Are there any outstanding or unique experiences that you would like to share with regard to the UW Executive MHA Program?
I have been a lifelong learner, and am not long satisfied in roles that do not allow personal and professional growth or do not challenge me. It was a great feeling to join a cohort of other professionals who are unwilling to stay the typical career path, are seeking to reinvent themselves, and are committed to making a difference in health care. It is nice to be among people that understand going off of the beaten path. The ropes course orientation on Whidbey Island was a very impactful experience; certainly non-traditional but aligned with the Executive MHA emphasis on experiential learning, leadership, personal development, team building, and stretching goals.
What do you feel are the strengths of the UW Executive MHA Program?
My student colleagues and the curriculum are fantastic. The diversity of student backgrounds and training is a real strength, and the time spent on leadership development and the group project learning method is well spent. Also, the Program has a number of alumni who are active in regional health care administration and leadership.
What are your career goals?
After twenty years of practicing clinical medicine, I am in the process of phasing into administrative work. Five years from now, I would be satisfied to exit out of direct patient care into full time medical administration, or teaching and consulting work.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences here?
I am the proud parent of three children, and they have often kidded me, asking, "Dad, when are you going to be finished going to school?" My answer is, hopefully never, but I will be proud to make the MHA my final degree program.
Student Profile
Dr. James Parker: Executive MHA Candidate, 2008
What is your educational and professional background, and what brought you to the UW Executive MHA Program?I attended Seattle public schools and did my undergraduate study at Harvard. I completed medical school and ophthalmology training at the UW, followed by a research fellowship at University of California at San Francisco. I served on the Group Health medical staff before engaging my entrepreneurial drive and becoming sole proprietor in a consultative private practice. I also enjoyed serving as clinical assistant professor in the UW Department of Ophthalmology for several years.
Over the years my interests evolved into a broader lens of population health and systems. I sought to impact the lives of children and families, which brought about residencies in adult and child psychiatry at the UW. I currently serve as clinical assistant professor in the UW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. During the past seven years, as the only child psychiatrist for Group Health Seattle Campus, I developed the instinct to extend my touch beyond delivering individual patient care.
Twenty years of clinical practice has been rewarding but constraining for personal and professional development. In 2003, I completed 18 credits in the UW Extended Degree MPH Program, which has an emphasis on public policy and public health research. I did not find that the curriculum addressed administrative, leadership, and business skills, so I looked into a number of regional and distance learning MBA programs including the UW and Seattle University. It appeared that going the MBA route would have been fine if I wanted to leave health care entirely, but I want to remain in the industry and do not want to give up the years of tenure I have in medicine. In the end, I enrolled in the UW Certificate Program in Medical Management and found the cohort and emphasis more to my liking. Subsequently pursuing the Executive MHA Program was a natural progression for me.
Are there any outstanding or unique experiences that you would like to share with regard to the UW Executive MHA Program?
I have been a lifelong learner, and am not long satisfied in roles that do not allow personal and professional growth or do not challenge me. It was a great feeling to join a cohort of other professionals who are unwilling to stay the typical career path, are seeking to reinvent themselves, and are committed to making a difference in health care. It is nice to be among people that understand going off of the beaten path. The ropes course orientation on Whidbey Island was a very impactful experience; certainly non-traditional but aligned with the Executive MHA emphasis on experiential learning, leadership, personal development, team building, and stretching goals.
What do you feel are the strengths of the UW Executive MHA Program?
My student colleagues and the curriculum are fantastic. The diversity of student backgrounds and training is a real strength, and the time spent on leadership development and the group project learning method is well spent. Also, the Program has a number of alumni who are active in regional health care administration and leadership.
What are your career goals?
After twenty years of practicing clinical medicine, I am in the process of phasing into administrative work. Five years from now, I would be satisfied to exit out of direct patient care into full time medical administration, or teaching and consulting work.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences here?
I am the proud parent of three children, and they have often kidded me, asking, "Dad, when are you going to be finished going to school?" My answer is, hopefully never, but I will be proud to make the MHA my final degree program.