W
University of Washington
Skip Menu

UW Executive MHA Program Testimonials

When I entered the UW Executive MHA Program, my dream was to either pursue an executive role in a health care setting or start my own executive consulting business. Without this program, neither dream would have been as possible. I just completed three years as an executive director for a home health and hospice agency at Swedish Visiting Nurse Services and have just begun a consulting business. The UW Executive MHA Program equips you with the education and framework needed to fulfill dreams. An added benefit is that it provides you with an opportunity to build long-term relationships with other health care professionals - your class colleagues.

Terri Wallin, RN, MHA, 2006
Owner, Wallin Enterprises
Earning an MHA from the UW Executive MHA Program not only opened the door for me. It provided me with the tools I needed to succeed in my career, make health care service delivery improvements, and ultimately change people's lives. I find that five years later I am still drawing from the material and critical thinking skills I learned in the program. I highly recommend this program to professionals in health care who want to take their abilities to the next level.

Douglas Spingelt, MHA, 2006
Vice President, Ambulatory Care, Sea Mar Community Health Centers
I've spent the majority of my professional career in health care administration. My ultimate aspirations - operations and strategic leadership - were beyond my reach without a graduate degree. After careful research, I chose to apply to the UW Executive MHA Program. Start to finish, the program delivered depth, collegiality, and a shared pursuit of leadership excellence. The program encourages students to balance teamwork and independent thinking, and to keep asking why. It also fosters a rigorous pursuit of knowledge - both academic and applied - of qualitative and quantitative methods, evidence-based medicine, and leadership fundamentals. Combined, my administrative experience and UW Executive MHA make for a fine professional toolbox - one I am exceptionally proud of. It shapes the work I do each day to improve and enhance patient care.

Although one may argue the merits of other programs, the UW Executive MHA Program knows its industries and communities, most particularly health care. The program is purposeful in its curriculum and program development, including its community and health care leaders in both design and presentation. UW Executive MHA alumni go on to form the leadership front line of health care delivery in Washington and beyond.

Leona Engelcke, MHA, 2005
Manager, Strategy Deployment, Group Health Cooperative
The University of Washington Executive MHA Program is designed to bring students with varying health care backgrounds together. The Program has provided me with a rich learning experience as well as a great networking opportunity. Having a diverse cohort enriches the class discussions and brings different perspectives to light. I was skeptical about how I was going to manage a full-time career as HIM Director at UW Medical Center, be a mom, and get my master's degree. It is definitely possible! The Program has given me confidence that I am ready to move into a more challenging role within my organization.

Sally Beahan, RHIA, MHA, 2009
Director, Health Information Management, University of Washington Medical Center
Before participating in the UW Executive MHA Program, I wondered whether enrolling would restrict or constrain my career options, locking me forever in a particular health care career pathway. However, I've found the experience liberating and transformational. The exposure to the broad curriculum has opened my mind to the vast realm of possibilities and opportunities where I can participate in transforming health care.

Paul Helmuth, MHA, 2009
Manager of Specimen Collection & Processing, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
The UW Executive MHA Program has been a wonderful opportunity for me. The competency-based curriculum has improved my financial, managerial, and interpersonal skills, and my educational experience has been enriched by the diverse health care backgrounds of my class colleagues. It has been a challenging and fulfilling learning experience that I am grateful to be a part of. Ultimately, it is the commitment of my professors that sets this program apart from others. I truly feel that every one of them is invested in my learning.

Margaret Lawrence, RN, BSN, MHA, 2008
Patient Advocate, VA Palo Alto Health Care System
The University of Washington Executive MHA Program offers a tremendous opportunity for real life learning and professional growth. Peer-to-peer feedback, participation, and challenge add to a curriculum designed for learning and development. This program distinguishes itself from other executive and on-line programs through a determination and focus on leadership development. Master's degree programs are available in many formats and levels of challenge. Those who seek to learn, grow, and develop into leaders devoted to bringing positive change to health care should seek out the Executive MHA program at the University of Washington.

Christopher Backous, MHA, 2007
Faculty/Sensei, Virginia Mason Institute, Virginia Mason Medical Center
Like many academic physicians in mid-career, I found myself with more administrative responsibilities each year but with little or no training in how to plan strategically, perform quality improvement, lead a team, or even understand the complex and unique health-care industry. The Executive MHA Program has provided me with a solid and broad foundation, and taught me many new skills and tools that I now use every day. The course work is demanding, but I am frequently able to combine work projects and class assignments, thereby improving my productivity in both.

Dr. Craig Jackson, MD, MHA, 2007
NICU Medical Director, Seattle Children's Hospital
Professor, Pediatrics, University of Washington
The UW Executive MHA Program prepared me very well for my role as Director of Healthcare Practice. The Program has been very beneficial both in my personal life as well as in my professional life. I've learned a lot from the courses as well as from my classmates who played an important part in my development. If there is one piece of information to pass on to current and future students, it would be that the UW Executive MHA Program opens a lot of doors.

Anand Gaddum, MHA, 2007
Director, Healthcare Practice, iLink Systems
As a pharmacist, I now have a much greater understanding of the health services management aspects of finance, strategic planning, economics and marketing, none of which were even introduced to me in pharmacy school. With this new knowledge, the Executive MHA Program has prepared me to seek opportunities in a wide variety of settings, including the pharmaceutical industry, retail pharmacy, hospitals, and consulting.

Jenny Tso, MHA, 2004
Pharmacy Manager/Pharmacist, Safeway