Hayden Malven- UI Healthcare- Finance & Accounting (MHA '26)

 Hello from Iowa!                                                                                                      View from the HSSB patio, and the path I walk after lunch!

This summer, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to intern with the University of Iowa Health Care, in their Finance and Accounting Services (FAS). Our team works out of the Health Care Support Services Building (HSSB) in Coralville. I have truly appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the essential role FAS plays in supporting strategic planning, operations, budgeting, and the broader goals of the organization.

Beth, Thomas, and I in a meeting! 

I’m one of two summer interns in FAS, alongside my classmate Thomas Seboldt, and it’s been a privilege to work and learn together throughout the summer. My preceptor is Beth Jaggers, Senior Director of Financial Strategy—someone we first met in the classroom! Having the chance to continue learning from her in a professional setting has been incredibly valuable. Beyond her deep knowledge of financial strategy, Beth has also modeled what it means to maintain a healthy work-life balance—something I know I’ll carry with me throughout my career.

This summer, I’ve had the chance to work on a variety of projects that have helped me grow both technically and professionally. I have been working on serving as a service line analyst, which included working with the team to develop a standardized template for departmental financial performance reporting—a tool that ultimately supports both onboarding and decision-making. In addition, I’ve conducted financial modeling for patient care initiatives and reviewed financial reports across UI Health Care to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. Additionally, I have been allowed the opportunity to chair the FAS Engagement Committee, helping to plan events that bring the department together and foster a strong sense of community. One of my proudest moments so far was completing a service line report and analysis for our Outpatient Dialysis services. I was able to apply what I’ve learned this summer to perform the analysis and curate recommendations—seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding.

My baby cousin and I at a family reunion

This internship has helped me grow in so many ways. I’ve become more confident in leading and contributing to meetings, analyzing large data sets and translating them into actionable insights, and creating visuals and recommendations that support strategic decisions. I’ve developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for the wide-ranging responsibilities of finance and accounting in healthcare. I’ve also added a lot of new business acumen to my vocabulary and feel more prepared than ever to contribute meaningfully in this space. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue developing my financial understanding and strategic thinking skills. I’m also incredibly grateful to be transitioning this internship into a Graduate Assistantship during the school year—an opportunity I’m truly thankful for and looking forward to.

My sisters, dad, husband, and I at a wedding!

Outside of the office, I’ve been enjoying a lovely Iowa summer—spending time with my husband and both of our families, going on walks and runs, baking sourdough, and making progress on my summer reading list. It’s been a great balance of professional growth and personal fun. As the summer continues, I’m looking forward to continuing work on my current projects, as well as beginning new ones. This position comes with the opportunity to continue some work as a Graduate Assistant into the school year, which I am very thankful for, and I look forward to continuing to learn from people in the department, as well as seeing projects to completion throughout the year. I am so grateful for this experience and am very excited to bring everything I’ve 

learned back with me into the classroom and beyond.