Health Services Administration

The Health Services Administration faculty and staff welcomed 25 new graduate students to the program this year and many new undergraduates. The students are a diverse group of talented individuals who have experience in a variety of industries, such as automotive, sales and marketing, medical equipment, nursing and finance.

As part of the new graduate curriculum they are taking new courses, such as marketing, population health and strategic planning. Two new courses, Human Resources for Healthcare Organizations and Leadership in Healthcare Organizations were delivered this summer in a hybrid format, which is a combination of online and in-class sessions. Students reported that they liked this format because of the convenience of online coupled with the in-class feedback and comradery.

Response to the spring survey of alumni who graduated within the previous five years from the Master's program was very positive. Their comments indicate that the education they received at UDM has been instrumental in furthering their careers and often resulted in promotions or new professional opportunities. A survey for recent graduates will be distributed before the end of 2009.

In February 2010 the Midwest Healthcare Executives Group and Associates will sponsor the seventh Job Shadow Event. This event matches HSA graduate students with healthcare executives who are employed in local healthcare organizations for a one day experience. The students specify their areas of interest and the type of health care environment they prefer.

As much as possible, the students are paired with an executive working in their areas of interest. Students may attend meetings with the executives, meet other personnel in the organization, and gain an appreciation of the duties and responsibilities of a healthcare executive. Evaluations of the previous events have been quite positive and students have expressed their appreciation of this opportunity.

The response to the new Certificate in Health Services Administration and Certificate in Health Services Administration Management has been quite positive. Many alumni called and accessed the web site to learn more about these certificates. See the certificate web site. Applications for the winter term are being accepted now. Please let others know about this exciting new certificate program that introduces students to the field of health services administration.

Nurse Anesthesia

Fall is a busy time in the Nurse Anesthesia Program. The 24 students who make up the class of 2011 began in the fall and the 26 members of the class of 2009 will graduate in December. The program conducted its annual senior seminar in Troy in September, which was well attended by students and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) alike.

The faculty was also busy. Program Director Mike Dosch presented on anesthesia equipment at the national meeting of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) in August in San Diego and the Fall meeting of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA) in September in Grand Rapids.

Assistant Director Greg Bozimowski presented on anesthetic implications for chronic pain patients at the Fall MANA meeting as well as a poster presentation on his research related to perceptions of professionalism among CRNAs at the Fall meeting of Registered Nurses Association in Michigan (RN-AIM) in Plymouth this October. His poster was honored as best demonstration of nursing research.

Nursing

White Coat Ceremony

Physician Assistant

2009 Graduates pass NCCPA exam

The class of 2009 graduates passed the National Certification Exam with a 97% pass rate for first time takers. There were 36 graduates in 2009. The national certification exam given by the NCCPA, is required to be licensed in the state of Michigan.

PA alumna featured in AAPA magazine

PA Mary Huyck '97 was profiled in the September 2009 issue of the American Academy of Physician Assistants publication PA Professional. She provides care to the 1,800 inmates of the Oakland County Jail.

Students and faculty attended the annual state meeting held at Boyne Mountain Resort, October 8-11, 2009. Networking, continuing education, PA practice business and fun was had at the conference. Professors Sharon Moser and Amy Dereczyk presented. An alumni reception was hosted by the program with excellent attendance. The classes of '79, '89, '99 and 2009 were highlighted. The class of 1984 met for a 25 year reunion. The students participated in the annual Challenge Bowl competition sponsored by the Michigan PA Foundation. The event ended with the PA Foundation's annual silent auction fundraiser for PA student scholarships and the MAPA president's banquet. See photos on the CHP photo gallery.

PA Information meetings

For a chance to meet with program faculty and find out more about the program in person, plan to attend one of our Physician Assistant graduate program applicant information meetings. Meetings are held the third Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Health Professions Facility, room 207 on the McNichols Campus. The next meeting is Dec. 21, 2009.