Health Administration Clipboard Notes
October/November 2011 Volume 1, Issue 2
Meet Dr. Valerie Johnston Clipboard Highlights GA Anky Punj Academic Rigor Monkey Survey Results Department Banquet Student Success What You Are Saying International Trips ACHE Announcements HA Department at Work
Dr. Valerie Johnston, Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Healthcare Programs, joined Pfeiffer University in July 2010. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Biology from Macon State College, Macon, GA, Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA; MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Durham, NC; and Ph.D. in Health Services Research from UNC Charlotte, where she served as a graduate research assistant and graduated Phi Kappa Phi. Dr. Johnston has considerable professional experience in
consulting and administration within health system, hospital, and physician practice settings. Her range of practice experience includes financial analysis, decision support, quality management, performance improvement, clinical service line administration, and operational leadership. Dr. Johnston's academic experience includes teaching seated and on-line undergraduate courses for both traditional and adult students in healthcare management, and graduate courses for students in a CAHME-accredited Master of Health Administration program. Her most recent faculty experience was with the University
of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL. Her research interests include: 1) the organization, management and performance of hospitalbased emergency services, 2) the impact of health system structure, policy and financing on access to care, and 3) health disparities arising from the health care delivery system. Dr. Johnston is married to Reverend Doctor Mike Johnston. They have four children: Erin, Ben, Cooper and Blake. The Johnstons currently reside in Gastonia, NC. When asked about Dr. Johnston’s appointment, Dr. Miller said, “We are pleased to have Dr. Johnston to join our faculty and I look forward to working with her.”
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Invite your colleagues and friends to attend an information session during an upcoming
May I help you?
Open House Charlotte Campus 5:00pm Monday November 7, 2011 Thursday December 1, 2011 Monday January 9, 2012 --------------------------------RTP Campus – 5:45 pm Tuesday November 1, 2011 Wednesday November 30, 2011 Monday December 12, 2011 The best marketing tools we have are our student success stories. Tell someone how your Pfeiffer educational experience has made a difference in your life.
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My name is Ankshika Punj. Everyone calls me Anky. This is my first semester as an MSL student. I attend classes on the Charlotte campus. I am the new Graduate Assistant in the HA Department’s central office. I assist Dr. Miller with daily operations and provide internal support to faculty as needed. My office hours are Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 3:00pm. I joined about two months back, and since then I am enjoying myself and learning a lot every day.
If I can help you in any way, please contact me at: apunj346@my.pfeiffer.edu. I hope you have a good year. Please stop by my office and say hello when you come to the Charlotte campus. I would very much like to meet you. Anky
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Academic Rigor Have you noticed any changes in your Pfeiffer classes? The professors are assigning coursework with weekly due dates; term paper content is getting more specific, and the page requirements longer; students are being required to submit papers to TurnItIn.com; online classes are suddenly more demanding and interactive…. what’s going on? It’s called “academic rigor.” The University Deans and Directors have set greater academic rigor as one of their goals for the year. Academic rigor involves the setting of high expectations for both faculty and students. It requires:
Standardized course expectations across the curriculum.
Mastery of student learning objectives.
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Benchmarks that integrate
knowledge and skills.
Improved communication skills.
The use of varied instructional approaches.
Academic support to ensure that students receive the assistance needed to be successful.
Dr. Deborah Lung in the Office of Graduate Student Development and Academic Success. Her contact information is: Deborah.lung@fsmail.p feiffer.edu
704-945-7308
Academic rigor is simply a systemized approach to ensuring that you, the student, gets your ‘money’s worth.’ Dr. Miller reminds us that “This is a year of transition and inspection.” Faculty and students must “step up to the plate and put our best foot forward in every class at every location. We live in a competitive global environment. Pfeiffer graduates must be well prepared for the challenging career opportunities that are sure to come their way.” If you need academic support, please contact
Dr. Deborah Lung
“I’m a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” Thomas Jefferson
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The results are in……
ATTENTION MAY GRADUATES
Thanks for your participation in the Monkey Survey designed to gauge The deadline to apply student interest in for May 2012 graduation departmentis Monday, November sponsored 14th. The application international trips. form is located at
www.pfeiffer.edu. From the top, click on a campus location, and then Academics, Resources, and, finally, Registrar’s Office. The Application for Graduation is under ‘Online Forms.’ Completed forms should be emailed to rick.kivior @fsmail.pfeiffer.edu or faxed to 704-945-7330. All students (except the MHA cohorts) are required to submit a $95 graduation fee to the Business Office. Please apply by the deadline in order to avoid the $75 late fee.
The results are in, and the findings were very interesting: 287 respondents = 64% return from the current student count. 1st year students are very interested in the international trips.
Cohort respondents were very active in the survey. 76% indicated that they would like to take an international trip. 50% see the trip as being an important aspect of their MHA education. 67% did not choose to come to our program based solely on the opportunity to take a trip.
possible, were most popular. If you would like to see the actual results, you may do so at the following link: ..\Monkey Surveys\MHA Student Survey 0911.pptx
Thank you for the fantastic response rate, and your excellent participation!
Trips priced below $3,000, and as close to $2,500 as
The Pfeiffer Library is available 24/7 http://library.pfeiffer.edu
Check it out!
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TOP 10 REASONS TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH A PROFESSOR BEFORE YOU GRADUATE
10. They will remember your name when you see them at Wal-Mart. 9. They will “highly recommend” you, and not ignore your request for a reference letter. 8. Networking – They are the “net” that will “work” for you for life. 7. They actually do
have influence in the community, and they will use it to help you. 6. You might get better grades. 5. They’ll invite you to collaborate on professional presentations when you graduate. 4. You can consult with them for free about work-related
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3. Birds of a feather flock together. Stick with the eagles! 2. Everyone needs a coach/mentor. 1. Everyone needs a life-long professional friend.
So, who is in your PNG (Professor Network Group)?
Congratulations are in order….. Pfeiffer MHA/MBA grad Pandora Holloway is the new chief compliance officer for WakeMed. The Department of Compliance & Audit Services ensures compliance with the requirements in contractual agreements with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Inspector General. It also works with HIPAA and related matters of confidentiality. The department employs 13 workers. Holloway has been a WakeMed employee since 1982 and has served as the interim compliance officer since last year.
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Congratulations Pandora. If you have good news to report, let us know at: healthadmin@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu.
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Save the Date!
1st Annual
Department Banquet
We’re getting closer to a date certain. Go ahead and pencil in April 14, 2012.
Will all of the cohort cycles from your site be represented? What about Charlotte and RTP? Are you coming? Let’s not forget HA School of Adult Studies students? Will your healthcare class be in the house? And all those 1200+ alums…are you calling them to help spread the word?
Who knew that April and May are prime prom and spring wedding dates? Not to worry. Your HA Banquet Committee is on the case twisting arms to make sure that this historic event takes place. Do you have your table mates yet?
You don’t want to miss this event. It’s going to be a night
to remember…. Grand Venue Awards & Prizes Honored Guests Great Food and Dancing We are going to celebrate the success of our healthcare programs while beginning a new tradition. Stay tuned to Clipboard Notes and be prepared to RSVP.
ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY Ruth Ayala-Carmona, RN, BSN, MHA joined Bayada Nurses as the new Pediatric Clinical Manager. The company will change its name in January to reflect a broader range of services. It will become Bayada Health Care. Ayala is grateful to Dr. Barnett Parker for being ‘an incredible teacher, mentor, and friend.’ She reports that during her job search she learned that interviewing for administrative jobs today can involve 4-5 levels of interviews plus many tests that measure character and personality. “They work harder and longer to find the right fit. In my case, it involved 5 different interviews and several exams, both clinical aptitude and character/personality. You must be prepared and have patience.” That is great information for everyone. Best wishes Ruth for your continued success!
New Student Impressed with RTP Enrollment - “It’s been a pretty seamless advising
and enrollment process at RTP. They made it quick and easy, and I had good communications during the whole process. There was great interaction between Bennie Felts, Jonathan Beam and Michael Utsman. Everything was straightforward. Great process!” Mike Luttrell, Cary, NC
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Clipboard Notes is a hit!
What you are saying… “This was a treat to read! I shared it with everyone in my cohort.” Janet Wilson
Q & A – Why wasn’t Dr. James Leist pictured in the group faculty photo? a) He was playing with his grandchildren b) He was late c) He was mad because Dr. Miller wouldn’t let him sit in the middle d) None of the above
Answer – (d) He was in Austria with the international trip class when the photo was taken. Good news – Dr. Leist is happy and well and seen above participating in a recent Charlotte campus event.
“I’m in my second semester at Pfeiffer in the HA program and love the school and the program of study I have chosen. Congratulations. I look forward to being part of one of your future graduation classes.” Dustin Helms “The newsletter is wonderful!!!! Thank you for sharing it with me!” Deb “I enjoyed the newsletter.” Kathryn
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“The trip to Africa looks exciting! I can’t wait to hear about it upon your return.” Kelli SadlerBell “I really enjoyed the newsletter! It was very informative for students who are not attending classes on campus (in Charlotte). It makes you feel better/more connected to the Pfeiffer University family. Kind regards & thanks for sharing!” Tawanda Lawson “Thanks for Clipboard Notes.” Dora Collins
“I really like the newsletter.” Vicky Howard
Thanks for asking Clipboard Notes.
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New Spring Durham Cohort
A new cohort group is forming at Durham Regional Medical Center for spring 2012. If you know any Durham/Duke employees who would like to join, please contact:
Amanda R. Thomas Clinical Nurse Educator Durham Regional Hospital, Education Department Office 919-470-4294 amanda.r.thomas@d uke.edu
Students participate in Triad Healthcare Forum Dr. Carol Vogt, ACHE faculty liaison, together with several MHA students, participated in the Triad Healthcare Executive Forum held in Greensboro on September 29th. The
topic was “Bending the Execution Curve: Implementing Successful Organizational Change in Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations.�
Aasha Mehta, Nursing Home Administrator for Cone Health, was a panelist. Dr. Vogt and Laura Bertinetti, student organization (PHESO) coordinator for the region, gave welcoming
remarks. MHA Alumni Margaret McAlister, Lisa Kellner, Jennifer Shaw and Suzanne Cromlish presented posters. Job well done!
School of Adult Studies HA Certificates
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American College of Healthcare Executives - Announcements
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Richard J. Stull Student Essay Competition is underway and you are invited to apply. ACHE invites eligible students to submit essays with a focus on healthcare management topics. The competition is open to students currently enrolled in either a graduate or undergraduate health administration program that is a participant in the ACHE Higher Education Network. Entrants must be an ACHE Student Associate. Only one entry per program will be accepted. Complete rules and details can be found at: http://www.ache.org/Faculty_Students/student_essay.cfm If you would like to participate, please contact Dr. Carol Vogt, ACHE Advisor at carol.vogt@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Greater Charlotte Healthcare Executive Group and Pfeiffer University’s Department of Health Administration cordially invite you to a special event……
Leading a Successful Multigenerational Organization When: November 2, 2011 Where: Pfeiffer University, Charlotte campus Park Road Time: 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; networking and refreshments served prior to the discussion Cost: ACHE Member- $20, Non-ACHE member- $30, NonPfeiffer Student ACHE member- $10 ACHE Credits: 1.5 Category I This event is co-sponsored by the Pfeiffer Healthcare Executive Student Organization (PHESO) & Greater Charlotte Healthcare Executives Group (GCHEG) If you are a Pfeiffer MHA student, please register by emailing Suzanne Cromlish, PHESO President @ joy@classycelebrations.com. All other attendees can register now for this event at http://gcheg.ache.org.
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Liberia - Summer 2012 The reaction to the addition of new international trips has been overwhelming. Students and faculty are excited about plans for France and Liberia. The Liberia trip will take place at the end of May. Travel rates were too expensive for January so we had
to postpone until May 22-June 1, 2012. We also discovered that we have Liberian MHA students who have made excellent travel suggestions. Trip planning is shaping up nicely. This will be a summer class registration, although deposits
will be due during spring semester. So, if your name isn’t already on the list, please contact Dr. Miller immediately and get your deposit ready. The final itinerary will be announced before Christmas. Enrollment will be limited, so respond now!
Students Enjoy Successful Austria Trip A group of 25 Pfeiffer University graduate students from Charlotte and Raleigh traveled to Austria in August to learn about international healthcare systems. The group spent seven days traveling to Salzburg, Innsbruck and, finally, to Garmish in order to better understand the healthcare needs of the Austrian
people. Not only
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was the trip an educational opportunity, but we also toured historical cities, hiked the Swiss Alps, and then visited the Neuschwantsein Castle. Uli Froehlich was the trip leader. Dr. James Leist accompanied the group. It was a great learning experience, and I would recommend the trip to future
students. Kathi Robinson (Presbyterian Cohort) reporting.
Have you seen Dr. Miller? I heard she is popping into classes all over the State!
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If you spot her let us know. Anky is looking for her.
Did you know? Health Administration is the largest department at Pfeiffer University. We have more than 450 students taking classes in 12 different locations across the State, and online. Our graduates hold executive and key management positions in the major health systems across the Carolinas.
From the Director’s Desk It’s true. I have been traveling the State introducing myself to students and visiting classes to see the great work our faculty and students are doing. So far, I have been to RTP twice, Durham Regional twice, Rowan, Forsyth, Presbyterian, and Rocky Mount. Crisscrossing the State is challenging but fun. Putting names with faces and experiencing students in their work environments is a
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true pleasure. I’m learning what is important to you. Thanks so much for sharing positive feedback and points for our growth and development. Your suggestions have indeed been very helpful. During the rest of October/November, I will make every effort to visit Rex, Wake Med, High Point, Moses Cone, and a Charlotte class. This is my goal. Please don’t be disappointed if my visits run over into spring
semester. Be assured I will get to your site as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep up the excellent work. Freddie, the Pfeiffer Falcon, and I are proud of you.
Pfeiffer University at 12Charlotte
4701 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209 Phone (704) 521-9116 Fax (704)521-8617 Email Graduate Assistant Ankshika Punj, healthadmin@fsmail.pfei ffer.edu Pfeiffer University at the Triangle 2880 Slater Road, Suite 100 Morrisville, NC 27560 919-941-2920 DEPARTMENTAL FACULTY Vernease H. Miller Chair & Director Professor
Your Department at work for you Adjunct Faculty Fall 2011 Elizabeth Barkley Larry Bishop John Daniels Steve Driggers Agir Kurmanji Tim McElderry Huabin Luo Dick McCoy
LEGAL NOTICE
Thank you for your kind invitations to be your “Friend” but Dr. Miller does not Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Emails and phone calls are welcome and encouraged. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
The Department of Health Administration prepares servant leaders to shape the future of healthcare locally, nationally and globally.
Clipboard Notes is our attempt to keep you informed. We want to increase the level of student and alumni engagement with our department. Clipboard Notes is a first step in that direction. Please let us know if there are specific topics you would like to see covered. Your feedback is welcome and appreciated.
We appreciate their service to the Department.
Valerie Johnston Assistant Director Assistant Professor Katrina Graham Assistant Professor James C. Leist Professor Jamal Nahavandi Associate Professor Barnett R. Parker Professor Gwyndolan Swain Assistant Professor Joel E. Vickers Professor Carol A. Vogt Associate Professor HA Department Faculty - Center: Vernease Miller; Back Row: Valerie Johnston, Joel Vickers, Barnett Parker, and Jamal Nahavandi. Left to Right: Katrina Graham, Carol Vogt and Gwyndolan Swain – Not pictured: James Leist
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