NEWS & EVENTS
Hands-on Experience and Mentorship Two of the Healthcare Programs’ most important initiatives are the mentor and internship programs. The Mentor Program matches new students with experienced healthcare professionals, most of whom are MHA alumni. Since 2007, the number of matched students and mentors has increased from 14 to 24. This program is appealing because students can integrate academic theory and professional practice. “Applicants tell us they have not been able to find anything like our Mentor Program at any other school,” Gregg said. Suffolk also coordinates internships, which are required for students who have no experience in the US healthcare system. Students and recent graduates can also participate. “Once an individual becomes a Suffolk student, he or she becomes a life-long member of our Suffolk Healthcare community, and we help in any way possible. During the past year, in addition to placing many students in internships, we helped two graduates secure internships; one at Massachusetts General Hospital and the other at Tufts Medical Center,” said Gregg. John Schwartz, a recent MHA graduate, is an IT audit manager at Partners Healthcare System. Suffolk prepared him to advance within his organization. “I made a mid-life career change into the healthcare industry, and Suffolk’s MHA Program got me up to speed on the industry’s practices and challenges very quickly. By my second year, I was better able to understand the industry dynamics, which in turn allowed me to start contributing to the healthcare community and its patient population,” Schwartz said. Accessible Healthcare Experts and Events The Healthcare Programs sponsor renowned guest speakers, such as former Senior Vice President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Vin Sahney and then President and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Paul Levy. Last year, a panel discussion on e-health innovation featured executives from Partners Healthcare, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. This year, Suffolk members of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) hosted a panel discussion on patient safety and quality that included executives from IHI and Massachusetts General Hospital. Many Suffolk students attend healthcare conferences off campus, including the IHI’s Annual National Forum, the Massachusetts Hospital Association’s Mid-Winter Leadership Forum (for which the Healthcare Programs are co-sponsors), and the ACHE Congress on Healthcare Leadership. Some students who attended the Congress received financial support from the ACHE of Massachusetts. The Healthcare Programs are constantly evolving to meet the needs of a dynamic industry. As Rick Gregg says, “Suffolk Healthcare is on the move!”
Above: Stephen Gaudet; Professors James Cataldo, Gail Sergenian, and Thomas Whalen; Erjola Hoxha; and Katrina Flynn.
FEI Honors Students Three students awarded for achievements THE BOSTON CHAPTER of Financial Executives International hon-
ored three Suffolk business students at an awards dinner attended by students and faculty from Boston-area colleges and universities. FEI, a worldwide association of high-level executives, named Katrina Flynn the Outstanding Graduating Senior in honor of her academic excellence and service to the Accounting Department at the University’s Sawyer Business School. Joining Flynn in receiving honors were juniors Stephen “ I watched our students Gaudet and Erjola Hoxha, both network with the execu- of whom received scholarships. tives at the dinner and They were judged on the basis realized once more that of academic achievement, community service, and a personal even in a select group, our students stand out.” statement. "We in the Accounting Department are very proud of all three students for what they’ve accomplished,” said Associate Professor Gail Sergenian. “Many members of the scholarship committee approached me to praise the qualifications of the Suffolk nominees. “I watched our students network with the executives at the dinner and realized once more that even in a select group, our students stand out,” said Sergenian. FEI is the premier association for CFOs and other senior finance executives. The organization provides networking, advocacy, and continuing professional education on key issues for high-level executives in financial management and reporting. The Boston Chapter of the FEI is the largest in the international association.
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