Shayan Pasha- UI Healthcare (MHA '26)


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 room to think through problems on my own, which has really helped me grow. Knowing that someone is genuinely invested in your success makes a big difference, and his mentorship has truly left a mark on me.

My main project this summer focused on improving leadership rounding across the CMO team. While the practice had been implemented in the past, maintaining consistent buy-in and engagement had become a challenge. I worked closely with leaders on the CMO team to revisit the goals of leadership rounding, rethink the structure, and explore new tools that could better support the process. We had to identify pain points, brainstorm solutions, and think about how to drive accountability in a way that felt meaningful—not just like another task to complete. It was a great experience in learning how to build buy-in, lead change, and align people around a common goal.

Of course, the internship wasn’t all work! I had a great time sharing a workspace with my classmate Ramiro, we kept each other sane during the long days, and got to spend time with other fellow interns like Demi and Brenton. Whether it was grabbing lunch from the food trucks on Thursdays or just chatting during our breaks, those small moments really made the experience special.

Looking back, these ten weeks went by way too fast, but I’m leaving with new skills, great memories, and a clearer vision of the kind of leader I hope to be. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and excited to carry everything I’ve learned into whatever comes next.

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