Veterans Affairs Hospital SLC

On January 16th, students visited the VA hospital to meet with Acting Director, Rima Nelson. Ms. Nelson is a graduate of the University of Utah MPH/HSA Program.

The VA System

Veteran Affairs is able to spend less per patient than private hospitals by focusing on prevention. Comprehensive testing during a single visit allows the VA to monitor overall patient health. This enables the VA to detect and treat early signs of illness.

Students interested in getting involved in VA initiatives or in doing a volunteer internship should contact James Walston at james.walston2@va.gov.

MountainWest Surgical Center

MountainWest Surgical Center is a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center serving Bountiful, UT and surrounding communities. High patient satisfaction and quality outpatient care is the goal of each of its physicians and staff.

MountainWest Surgical Center exists to help physicians and medical professionals provide their patients with the best care possible.

Students met with Administrator Brian Berg to learn how independent surgical centers work to transform our troubled health care system.

To learn more about Ambulatory Surgical Center trends visit www.ascassociation.org/advocacy/AmbulatorySurgeryCentersPositiveTrendHealthCare.pdf

Shriners Hospital Visit

Friday October 24th, some University of Utah MBA/MHA students visited the beautiful Shriners Hospitals For Children in Salt Lake City, Utah; a 40-bed pediatric orthopedic hospital and research and teaching center.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.

Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge – regardless of financial need.

Shriners' CEO and Retired Air Force Colonel, Craig Patchin met with students to discuss Shriners unique business model. Shriners Hospitals for Children rely on the generosity of many individuals and organizations for the funding needed to continue operating this extraordinary philanthropy.

Above: From left to right, students Anthony Rodebush, Janelle Robinson, and Bart LeFan take a picture with Administrator Craig Patchin.

Read about Shriners' recent "Un-limb-ited River Rafting Amputee Camp" at http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Salt_Lake_City/feature_story/

FHLA - University of Utah MHA students visit Phase 2 Consulting

On September 12, 2008, Future Healthcare Leaders of America (FHLA) visited Phase 2 Consulting. We had the honor to talk with Mr. Howard Salmon, MHA University of Minnesota and Mr. Todd Halpin, MBA University of Utah. After discussing their backgrounds and fascinating career paths, they provided us with Phase 2 Consulting's State of Healthcare 2008 presentation. The major issues facing healthcare were related in the document. We engaged in a lively discussion of where to focus time, energy, and data crunching to maximize efficiency and work toward profitability in the healthcare setting. They described in detail the demands and rewards of working as a consultant. Both men uphold the values of Phase 2 Consulting: Intellectual Honesty and Integrity, High Client Focus - Customer Service, Ethical and Moral Approach with Clients, Continued Learning, and Creativity.

Our sincere thanks to Mr. Salmon and Mr. Halpin for their time. I personally learned a great deal about consulting.

FHLA Leadership

Healthcare in Crisis - University of Utah School of Medicine Alumni Association

On September 6, 2008 the University of Utah School of Medicine pulled together a brilliant panel discussion titled Healthcare in Crisis: History, Challenges, and Opportunities. The event concluded the Medical Alumni Association's 2008 Continuing Medical Education Alumni weekend. The FHLA students were invited to attend the meeting.

The presenters:

Richard Sperry, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Health Sciences; Director, Governor Scott M. Matheson Center for Health Care Studies, University of Utah.
Dr. Sperry served as the moderator.

Greg Poulsen, Senior Vice President, Intermountain Healthcare, Member of State of Utah Health Data Committee
Title of Presentation: Health Reform Issues: History, Comparison, and Where Are We Now?

Jay Jacobson, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Utah; Chief of the Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities, LDS Hospital and University of Utah
Title of Presentation: Just Allocation of Health Care: Needs, Limits, and Obligations

Brent James, MD, MStat, Executive Director Institute of Healthcare Delivery Research and Vice President, Medical Research and Continuing Medical Education, Intermountain Healthcare; Adjunct Professor, Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah
Title of Presentation: Building Quality Care Systems: A New Outlook for Humanity

David Squire, Executive Director, Utah Medical Education Council.
Title of Presentation: Medical Workforce Issues in Utah

Linn Baker, Former CEO Public Employees Health Plan, State of Utah; Chair, Board of Trustees, Utah Health Policy Project
Title of Presentation: Market Driven Health Care

Joe Jarvis, MD, MSPH, President, Joseph Q. Jarvis Consulting, Inc.
Title of Presentation: Too Much Market, Not Enough Care

During the break the students enjoyed talking with Mr. Poulsen and Mr. James. Above: Greg Poulsen poses with some of the MHA students; from left to right; Bart LeFan, Jake Budd, Sarah Watts, Greg Poulsen, and Anthony Rodebush. Below: Brent James weighs in on the discussion panel.


Many thanks to Kristin Gorang of the Alumni Association and Dr. Sperry for bringing together so many industry leaders together for six hours of healthcare history, trends, and projections. It's an MHA student's dream come true.

Congratulations to 2008 MHA Graduates

Just to prove there is a light at the end of the tunnel, here are MHA graduates who "walked" on May 2nd...in the future this picture will be of you!

From left to right, Julie Kohler, Jess Dalton, Debra Scammon (faculty advisor & professor of marketing), Matt Ahern, and Brian Petersen. Not pictured: Michael Young

FHLA launches LinkedIn group for University of Utah MHA and HSA degree graduates

The University of Utah has offered a Health Services Administration (HSA) certificate to MBA, MPA, MPH and other Masters Graduates since about 1977. Recently the University of Utah launched a Master Healthcare Administration (MHA) program under the direction of Professor Debbie Scammon.

For serious students desiring to learn in one of the strongest healthcare environments in America, the University of Utah MHA is a great way to go. The Salt Lake Valley is home to a wide variety of healthcare organizations. These excellent organizations include clinics like the 4th Street Clinic, the academic hospital at the University of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, Huntsman Cancer Institute, MountainStar HCA network of hospitals, VA Hospital System just across the street from the University, and the IASIS network of hospitals. This rich healthcare environment provides plenty of opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in healthcare.



To help keep students in touch the FHLA leadership is pleased to announce the FHLA LinkedIn group. If you earned an HSA or an MHA from the University of Utah please join our LinkedIn group. You can view more information by visiting The Future Healthcare Leaders of America at LinkedIn. LinkedIn provides the opportunity for discussions and networking.