University of Iowa Health Management & Policy

Hello from Atlantic, Iowa! This summer, I had the opportunity to complete my internship at Cass Health in Atlantic, Iowa. Atlantic has always been special to me since my dad grew up here and I still have family in the area. I have been visiting Atlantic since I was little, and this year I had the unique opportunity to work at the very hospital that serves the community I have known for so long. Over the past few months, I have learned so much about the day to day operations of a rural hospital, contributed to projects that support patient care, and seen just how much a close knit community can influence the way healthcare is delivered. Cass Health is a Critical Access Hospital located in the southwest region of the state. Atlantic is an hour away from both Omaha and Des Moines, creating a perfect location for physician recruitment, organizational partnerships, and care delivery. Cass Health has been a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital for the past five years, showcasing just how strong t...

 Hello everyone! This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with the Finance and Accounting Services (FAS) team at UI Healthcare. Under the mentorship of Beth Jaggers, Senior Director of Financial Strategy, and in collaboration with experienced financial directors, I explored the dynamic and complex world of healthcare finance and accounting. Throughout the internship, I gained hands-on experience in several core areas, including financial reporting and analysis, cost accounting, budgeting, and the operational side of healthcare finance. This immersive experience gave me a well-rounded understanding of how financial strategy supports both patient care and organizational sustainability within a large academic medical center. One of the key projects I contributed to involved maintaining accurate and up-to-date reporting on quality metrics tied to Medicaid Directed Payments. These payments are a key portion of the organizations margin. Without directed payments, reimburse...

Hello from Sterling, Illinois! I have had the amazing experience of interning at CGH Medical Center in my hometown. CGH Medical Center is progressive acute care facility that has been serving the community since 1909. The organization consists of a hospital and multiple satellite clinics throughout the surrounding region and is one of only two remaining city-owned hospitals in Illinois. The culture at CGH has been amazing to experience. It has been a breath of fresh air to be a part of a thriving independent rural community hospital. Everyone has been so welcoming and has provided unique insights on rural hospital operations.  Over the course of the summer, I have been able to meet with every department director here at CGH. I have gotten to sit down with each one and learn firsthand how each area contributes to the hospital’s operation. My preceptor, Dr. Steinke, has been the CEO of CGH for over a decade. I have gotten to sit in on his strategic meetings with other VPs and chief o...

Hi! My name is Shayan Pasha, and this summer I’ve had the amazing opportunity to intern at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics with Greg Kirkman as part of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) team. From the very beginning, I’ve been able to witness how strong, thoughtful leadership impacts both patient care and day-to-day hospital operations. The CMO team, led by Dr. Theresa Brennan, plays a huge role in guiding quality, safety, documentation, and patient experience across the organization. It’s been inspiring to see how collaborative the team is and how much strategy and care go into every decision made at this level. One of the biggest highlights of my internship has been working with Greg, my preceptor. He has a leadership style that’s been incredibly inclusive and supportive. He brings me along to meetings, takes time to explain the “why” behind decisions, and always checks in to make sure I’m understanding the material. At the same time, he encourages independence and gives me ...

Allina Commons – my home office for the summer I have the opportunity to join Allina Health in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the summer. Allina Health employes 30,000 people, is the fifth biggest employer in the state and had 2024 revenue of 5.8 billion dollars. Allina is in the middle of moving from contracted to employed providers. This places Allina in a unique position of both being a large organization while also leaving many areas that operate independently. At Abbott Northwestern, the system’s flagship hospital, a new inpatient building is under construction. The Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center is the largest project in Allina’s history. Earlier this summer, the interns were able to take a tour of what an inpatient room in the new building will look like. These rooms will feature a lot of new technology, like cameras able to determine pulse, oxygen saturation and blood pressure without physically interacting with patients. Other opportunities during the summer ...

  UI Health Care Downtown Medical Campus   Hello from Iowa City! This summer, I had the privilege of interning at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Downtown Campus under the mentorship of Jennifer Miller, the hospital’s Chief Administrative Officer. I was immediately welcomed into an extremely collaborative culture. Each morning, I sat in on director huddle meetings, where I observed how the leaders across departments began their day with aligning on hospital operations, patient safety, and strategic goals.    A large portion of my work this summer focused on preparedness for the Joint Commission survey and quality assurance. I worked closely with Barbara Ditzler, the director of quality and accreditation , and joined Environment of Care rounds and conducted Joint Commission tracer audits. I was also able to observe teams during survey sessions during the week Joint Commission came. These experience s showed just how detail-oriented accreditatio...

  Checking in from Southern Utah! Only 1,181 miles from Kinnick Stadium. This summer, I have been interning at Intermountain St. George Regional, in St. George Utah. I have spent my time working with the Hospital Executive Team and the Medical Oncology Clinic here at St. George. Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit health system made up of 33 hospitals and 400 + clinics over their 3 regions. Their mission, to help people live the healthiest lives possible is not just a statement but rather a lived value in all caregivers. The organization’s culture is one like no other. From the first time I stepped foot inside the hospital, I’ve been welcomed with open arms and have joined a new family.  I’ve had the opportunity to work under the guidance of Mark Evans, the Chief Operating Officer of the hospital. Mark has been an incredible leader and an even better person. He has not only made me feel welcome at work but also in the community. Mark has taken my co-intern, Dustin, and me...

  Hi from Iowa City, Iowa!   This summer, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to intern at Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the only comprehensive children’s hospital in Iowa. From day one, I was immersed in a culture that blends strategy, mission, and heart, where every operational decision connects back to improving care for children and their families. The experience has helped me grow professionally and deepened my understanding of what it means to lead in a pediatric academic setting. I work under Jim Leste, and at times John Heinemann, both of whom have modeled thoughtful, mission-driven leadership. Through regular meetings and project work, I’ve observed how leaders navigate complex decisions while staying grounded in service to patients, families, and care teams. Their mentorship has been honest, generous, and focused on exposing me to the real questions facing children’s hospitals today. One of the core projects I’ve supported is the early planning of a Pediatric Hea...

   Hello from Chicago, Illinois!   I am currently in a 10-week internship as a Summer Associate with Deloitte, a consulting firm that provides healthcare consulting services. My first week was filled with onboarding events for Summer Associates, where I had the privilege of meeting and learning about peers from across the United States. These sessions offered a crash course in core consulting skills, great food, and plenty of opportunities to network with Deloitte consultants and leaders, setting a strong foundation for the summer ahead. After onboarding, I joined a project with a large regional health system that was undergoing an Epic implementation to transform its clinical and operational processes. As a Summer Associate supporting both the Project Management Office (PMO) and Organizational Change Management (OCM) teams, I was able to roll up my sleeves and contribute to a variety of high-impact projects that are shaping the future of healthcare delivery. From the out...