Reaching For The Top

Student Tony Torres was awarded the prestigious opportunity to join the University of Kansas Health System (UKHS) administrative fellowship program where he was one of three candidates selected from over 70 applicants. As part of the fellowship, Torres will join a leadership training program for UKHS where he will be immersed in learning the financial, strategic and clinical operations of the business, eventually being assigned to a managerial position within UKHS.

In applying for the position, Torres, a Master of Healthcare Administration(MHA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) student, was up against applicants from top-rated MHA programs in the country. “Typically, the UKHS program selects two recipients. However, due to highly competitive candidates, three were chosen this year,” he said.

Torres, a graduate of Brigham Young University – Idaho, attributes his success to his “innate passion for providing access to healthcare for others.” This passion stemmed from a health condition that caused his father’s passing at a young age. “I remember feeling helpless watching my dad battle his illness,” said Torres whose parents emigrated from Mexico. His strong work ethic was also inspired by his parents’ sacrifices. “[My parents regularly reminded us] of the great opportunity we were given to pursue an education,” Torres said. His parents had left school by the sixth grade in order to work and help provide for the rest of their families. Torres worked hard to seek out a fellowship opportunity that would allow him to step into an executive leadership role after earning his degrees. Throughout his education, Torres said he has been actively seeking out opportunities “to network and find successful mentors. I was proactive during my education and training to have meaningful experiences in healthcare. My experiences have exposed me to current healthcare challenges and my HCA residency allowed me to learn solutions to some of these issues.” “I believe we should all aim high. Although any leadership role is an honorable one, if we dream of becoming executives then we should take every proactive opportunity to get there from the beginning.” Torres starts this summer upon graduation with his dual graduate degrees.