Des Moines/ Omaha Trip

Every year the HMP Department organizes a trip for all first year students to visit several hospitals in the Des Moines and Omaha areas.  The trip is an opportunity for students to see various healthcare settings and speak with alumni of the program about their experiences since they were in our shoes.  As a first year student, I found the experience very valuable and encouraging for my future. 

Over the course of our two-day trip we visited five different hospitals:  Iowa Methodist Hospital, Mercy – West Lakes Hospital, Alegent Health – Lakeside Hospital, Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital, and Methodist Women’s Hospital.  At each location we were able to speak with executives and alumni about various topics including their current organization, their career paths to date, their time in the program, fellowships, finding a work-life balance, and the challenges and benefits of a career in health administration.  Several of the facilities were built or renovated within the last five years so we also benefited from seeing how hospitals were creating environments with the intent to improve the patient’s experience.  It was a great opportunity to see the various healthcare settings and recognize similarities and differences of each.  Traveling also provided an excellent chance to get to know classmates – fifteen-passenger vans have a way of revealing closet DJ’s, aspiring rap artists, and Daytona 500 hopefuls…you know who you are. 

The trip was a great opportunity to listen to the advice and experiences of alumni and health care executives as well ask any questions we had.  It was incredibly encouraging to see how successful the alumni have been since their time in the program as well as their willingness to get involved in our professional development.  Their dedication to the success of the program speaks to their satisfaction and confidence in the program.  To me, it is validation that I am right where I need to be to prepare for a successful career in health administration.  The annual trip to Des Moines and Omaha is one of the many great opportunities for students to gain educational and networking experiences outside the classroom.