University of Iowa Health Management & Policy

Name:   Joe Kim Hometown:   Wilmette, IL Undergraduate University / Degree:   Pre-Med & Music Current Program:  MHA Areas of Interest:   Individuals with special needs, end-of-life care Why Iowa?   I came here for my undergraduate degree and couldn't find a reason to leave. The people, culture, and environment are top of the line. The kind, generous, and hardworking mentality of Iowans are contagious.  Why Healthcare?  I've always had an interest in medicine. Through two organizational leadership opportunities in undergrad, Founder & President of the University of Iowa Special Olympics Organization and Founding Father of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, I realized that the best way I can be utilized is through health administration. In the end, what's most important to me in my work is that I have the chance to help people.    Favorite Graduate School Experience?  Holiday Hop In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Name: Lauren Waggoner   Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa   Undergraduate University / Degree: Iowa State University – BS in Marketing   Current Program: Masters of Healthcare Administration   Areas of Interest: Business Development and Patient Experience   Why Iowa? The University of Iowa has one of the top MHA programs in the country, and working in a hospital setting has always appealed to me. Favorite Graduate School Experience?  MHA 2nd-year vs. 1st-year kickball game In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up?  Flight Attendant   

Name: Madeline Sherman Hometown: Evergreen, Colorado Undergraduate University/Degree: University of Iowa, BS Human Physiology and a certificate in Entrepreneurship Current Program: Masters of Health Administration Areas of Interest: Working with kids and general health care Why Iowa? I attended Iowa as an undergrad, so I absolutely love the University of Iowa. I feel that it is my home away from home because of the lively atmosphere and the fun, friendly people that come here! In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up? In kindergarten I wanted to be a children’s book illustrator. What would we be surprised to know about you? A fun fact about me is that I performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater when I was in high school.

Name:   Kim Merchant Position:  Research Associate How long have you been at Iowa?  As CPH staff, since June 2008.  Before that, as a graduate student and graduate assistant.  Way before that, when I got my BA. Graduate Training:  MA in Journalism, with electives in Public Health (Dec 2007) Research Interests:  currently - telehealth, rural health; ongoing - eating disorders, wellness Best part of your job:  Flexible working arrangements and academic environment where learning is ongoing. Current projects:  Projects in the Rural Telehealth Research Center and the Center for Health and Policy Research in HMP. Recent awards:   2016 CPH Staff Research Award Why Iowa?   I want to make a difference and hope that by being here, especially in CPH, I can help impact health and well-being. If you could tell your younger self something, what would it be?  Keep that employee stock option plan! What is public health and how does it relate

Name: Weston Riesselman Hometown: Boone, IA Undergraduate University / Degree: University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Health Promotion: Global Health and Health Disparities Current Program:   Master of Health Administration Areas of Interest: I am someone that loves to move, run, lift weights, and cook meals with others.  I enjoy cool weather outside, and a football game with some of my close friends. Why Iowa?   Iowa has an absurdly strong reputation in the areas of health, and I wanted to be able to be a contributor to that reputation.   Why Healthcare?  Healthcare is a mix of service, sales, and customer experience. It has business decisions mixed with moral decisions, and how they are intertwined is extremely interesting to me. There are many ways that healthcare has failed individuals and families, and I want to be part of the process that makes healthcare better than it currently is. There are so many ways to make progress, and I want to hel

By: Brian Rose IPE – Not just another acronym   On the eve of the Cy-Hawk trophy football game, all first-year healthcare students from the University of Iowa gathered at the Iowa Memorial Union for our initial interprofessional education (IPE) meeting. I’d like to share a few of my thoughts. First, as I and many others settled into our respective seats in the ballroom, my initial thought was, “Wow, there are a lot of students here.” This was reaffirmed as we were told just how many students from each program were in the room. If my memory serves me right, over 70 teams comprised of eight to nine students from varying programs were in attendance. Programs included: medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, social work, dental, physician assistant, speech pathology, and health administration. I don’t think I would be speaking only for myself when I say that I think most people would rather be doing something else on a Friday afternoon. Yet, we were all here – not

Name:  Brad Wright, PhD Title(s) and Position(s):   Assistant Professor, HMP and UI Public Policy Center How long you have been teaching at Iowa:  I joined the department in September 2012 and started teaching in August 2013. Graduate Training:  George Washington University (MS in Health Policy 2006); UNC-Chapel Hill (PhD in Health Policy & Management 2011); Brown University (Postdoc 2012) Classes you teach:  Intro to Healthcare Organization and Policy, Intro to the US Healthcare System, Health Policy (EMHA), Health Policy Analysis Research Interests:   Health Politics & Policy; Health Care Reform; Health & Health Care Disparities; Underserved Populations; Federally Qualified Health Centers; Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligibles; Observation and Emergency Medicine; Patient and Public Involvement in Health Care; Primary Care; Hospital-Based Care Current Projects: 2015 – 2017     Iowa Department of Human Services (Contract MED-15-004)

Name: Catherine Gehlsen Hometown: Ankeny, IA Undergraduate University / Degree: Luther College; Biology and French Current Program: Masters of Healthcare Administration Areas of Interest: Rural Health, Women’s and Children’s Health Why Iowa? Iowa has one of the best alumni networks in the country, and it offered me a chance to be a part of something great in my home state. Favorite graduate school experience?  My summer internship at Mercy Health Network really gave me a wonderful perspective of what is in the healthcare field. I had so many valuable experiences this summer, and I am really itching to get back! In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up?  Definitely a dancer. That ended when I went to my first dance class. What would we be surprised to know about you?  I was a soccer player through college and had the chance to play at Luther! I played center-mid, and that's where I get my love of running. I ran ALL the time. I don't get t

Name: Jure Baloh Hometown: Domzale, Slovenia, EU Undergraduate University / Degree: University of Ljubljana, BS in Management and Organization Graduate University/Degree: University of Missouri, MHA Current Program: University of Iowa, PhD in Health Services Areas of Interest: Patient Safety and Quality Improvement, Organizational Theories, Implementation Science Why Iowa? The people at the department. Of course, the reputation and rankings matter, but other programs have that too. What really tipped the scales was my interaction with the people when I came for a visit. I knew this place would be a good fit for me. Why Healthcare? I find healthcare both challenging and meaningful. Its complexity and the range of intriguing issues keep my mind engaged. But there is something for the heart too – health and healthcare undeniably make a difference in people’s lives, which keeps me going. In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up? Bricklayer/cons

Name:  Maia Hightower, MD, MPH, MBA Title(s) and Position(s): Chief Medical Information Officer, University of Iowa Health Care Clinical Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Health Care How long have you been teaching at Iowa?  One year Graduate training: MD, University of Rochester School of Medicine MPH, University of Rochester School of Medicine MBA, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Classes you teach:  Health Information Systems Why Iowa?  I believed that in Iowa I could be part of an effort to transform medicine not only for the people living in Iowa City, but for the population of the entire state of Iowa. UIHC is the only academic medical center in the state. Our patients come from across Iowa and beyond. Unlike many other healthcare markets where the financial model is to grow through acquisition, the Iowa way is to build collaborations and partnerships. We want to support local healthcare organization to do what they do best:

By: Kim Ogden After a long week of ice breakers, department introductions, and campus tutorials, the HMP students spent their final day of orientation giving back to the community and dominating the kick ball fields. Friday morning, first-year College of Public Health students divided into groups and went to volunteer in the community. From helping to host an event for the Salvation Army, to gardening for Field to Family, to cleaning the facilities for the Iowa City Free Clinic, it really seemed like there wasn’t a part of Iowa City that we didn’t help. I was a part of the Habitat for Humanity volunteer group, where we were helping to build a house for a local family. I was amazed by my peers and their desire to help, despite the fact we truly had no idea what we were doing. It was this activity that showed me what a kind-hearted and dedicated group of people I was associating myself with, and I could not have been more proud. After a quick break for lunch, most of the first years

Name: Ryan Callahan Hometown: Beaver Dam, WI Undergrad Degree: B.S. Human Physiology & Certificate in Writing from the University of Iowa. Current Program: MHA and MS in Policy Area of Interest: Consulting Why Iowa? I chose Iowa because they were one of the only programs that offered a dual degree, pairing the MHA with the MPH or MS in Policy. Iowa's College of Public Health building is also incredibly nice. I also did my undergrad at Iowa and am very fond of Iowa City and am extremely happy to finish my formal education as a Hawkeye. In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up?  When I was in kindergarten I planned to join the army and be a soldier.  What would we be surprised to know about you?   I have auditioned for both American Idol and Survivor. Not because I like those shows or have the talent for them, I just happened to have the opportunity to do so and thought I might as well go for it. I did not make it past the firs

Name: Zoe Ribar Hometown: Columbus, OH Undergraduate University / Degree: B.S Human Physiology Graduate University/Degree: University of Iowa Current Program:   MHA Why Iowa? During my undergrad,  I fell in love with the people, campus, and culture of Iowa City. I thought that if I had the  opportunity  to spend two more years here, why not? Why Healthcare?   While I was never sure exactly where, I was always sure I wanted to be in a hospital setting. It took me longer than I expected to figure out I wasn't passionate about biology, and that the administrative route of healthcare was much more exciting to me.  In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up?   A professional athlete! What would we be surprised to know about you?  I've never pulled an all-nighter! (I like sleeping  too much)

Name:  Betsy Winter Position:  Director, Student Services and Academic Program Support, Department of Health Management and Policy How long have you been at Iowa?  I’ve been at Iowa a non-consecutive total of 4 years and in HMP for just over 2 years. Education :  M. Ed in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; BA in music, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI. And working toward a PhD in Higher Education Student Affairs here at Iowa! B est part of your job:  No two days are exactly the same! There’s always something going on around here. ·     What would we be surprised to know about you?  I really love baseball. I love everything about it. – the sounds, the stats, the strategy, the history. But I don’t like the DH. ·     If you could have a super power, what would it be?  Teleportation. How great would that be?!

Section Administrator - University of Chicago, Pediatrics Administration About the Unit: The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago is comprised of 183 full­-time faculty and other academics and more than 180 staff. We strive to provide the highest level of complex care for children from diagnosis and treatment to conducting research to find promising new therapies with a focus on teaching. We are committed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, and the education and training of future clinical pediatricians, subspecialists, educators, clinical investigators and physician­ scientists. Professional and investigative aspects of medicine are readily combined and the attributes of academic life are easily recognized in the Department of Pediatrics. Our faculty and staff value the designation "teacher of teachers" and appreciate the importance of research training, individual creativity and high quality comprehensive clinical care and service. The Department o

Name:  Ian Montgomery Title(s) and Position(s): Clinical Associate Professor Director, Center for Executive Studies and Services (including the Executive MHA program) Executive in Residence for the Department of Health Management and Policy How long you have been teaching at Iowa:  Eight years Graduate Training:  MA in Health Administration, University of Iowa Classes you teach:  EMHA Capstone, EMHA Strategic Planning and Marketing (co-teach), EMHA Interprofessional Healthcare Administration I and II (co-teach, two-course series), EMHA Healthcare Management (co-teach), MHA Professional Development Seminar (co-teach), MHA Medical Practice Management Current Projects:  Developing management and leadership training programs for Iowa healthcare organizations, often in collaboration with the University of Iowa College of Business Why Iowa?  Alumnus (preschool through grad school) and Top 10, Big 10 MHA program If you could tell your younger self something, what would i

Name: Kate Quigley Hometown: Kankakee, IL Undergraduate University / Degree: University of Iowa, B.S. Human Physiology Current Program: 1st Year MHA Areas of Interest: Women's Health, Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centers Why Iowa? Iowa slowly became my home after 4 years of undergrad and 2 years of working here. I couldn't imagine continuing my education anywhere else. Favorite Graduate School Experience?  Introducing Iowa City rookies to all the best spots on campus and downtown In kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up?  Veterinarian What would we be surprise to know about you?  I had a pet gecko named Doogie.

Name:  Todd Linden, FACHE Title(s) and Position(s) : President and CEO of Grinnell Regional Medical Center and Adjunct Professor, HMP How long you have been teaching at Iowa?  20 years + Graduate Training:  MHA, University of Iowa, 1987 Classes you teach:  Leadership of Healthcare Organizations Research Interests:  Anything Hawkeye! Recent Awards : American Hospital Association “Board of Trustee Service Award” Why Iowa?  Because it is the epicenter of Healthcare Leadership and Research If you could tell your younger self something, what would it be?  Live each day to the fullest; the years will fly by faster than you might ever imagine! What is public health and how does it relate to what you do now?  Public health is the art and science of improving the health of everyone around us; it's the secret sauce that will be the foundation for moving to population health from our current sick-care healthcare system; and it's fundamental to qual

By: Ryan Callahan  This school year marks my sixth year as a Hawkeye and student at the University of Iowa. I enjoyed five years getting my undergraduate degree here in the great city of Iowa City, but even though starting a school year here should have seemed like old news, things were definitely different this year.  For starters, I was obviously starting a whole new type of program than anything I had done in the past. It was also a fresh start from a social standing, as many of my friends had moved on after graduation. This was going to be a year of meeting a lot of new people and forming new friendships. Although these changes could have easily been cause for anxiety, I never felt that discomfort. This was not due to some steel reserve on my end but rather to the great way the MHA program at Iowa is set up to introduce its new students not only to the content of the program, but also to each other, as well as fellow students and faculty within the program.  Before c