Vol. 1 No. 5
APR/MAY 2012
Clipboard NOTES
The Department of Health Administration prepares servant leaders to shape the future of healthcare locally, nationally and globally.
This is our last Clipboard Notes for 2011-12 and there is much good news to share. I am excited about the conclusion of my first year as Pfeiffer’s
NEW ROAD TO SUCCESS LEADS TO FACULTY AND STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Cover Story New road to success
1
Thanks and Congratulations Summer Registration 3
2
Certificate Programs in Health Administration 4 Administrative Fellowship Program 5 MHA 6
Attention graduating students 7 From the Director’s Desk 8 Faculty
10
Director for Healthcare Programs. We began the year with a dynamic strategic plan called ‘A New Road to Success’ which outlined plans for the Department's transition and anticipated reaccreditation inspection. One new initiative was to increase communication and engagement with our students and alumni. Clipboard Notes has proven to be a wonderful tool for facilitating that objective. In this edition, you will find important information that will serve as “actual notice” (think law class) of what you can expect this summer, and a preview of next fall’s agenda. I hope that you will take the time to read every page carefully and conduct yourself accordingly. Finally, we are taking this opportunity to toot our collective horn of success and thank our TEAM of faculty, students and alumni for a year of excellent work.
Page 2 Dr. Barnett Parker was recognized by the Socio-Economic Planning Sciences journal as being the author or co-author of 4 of the top 25 most downloaded articles for 2011. Three of the four articles ranked in the top 10. Congratulations Dr. Parker.
Dr. Barnett Parker
Dr. Nahavandi
Dr. Nahavandi is very interested in technology and has gone to great lengths to visually communicate with students online. His latest contribution to the graduate school is the development of an online self- study called Fundamentals of Economics and its Application to the Health/Medical Care Sector which he teaches through Adobe Connect. This was the first in what has now become a series of mini-lectures for students who enter graduate school without prerequisites in Economics. The lectures are available on Bb. This scholarly work will greatly enhance the MHA/MBA programs. Thanks Dr. Nahavandi.
Nedra Brown, RN, BSN, MHA, Class of 2009 was the recipient of the AnMed Health Extraordinary Women in Health Care Award and the South Carolina Palmetto Gold Award in Clinical Excellence. Award winners of the AnMed Health Award are nominated by employees and can come from the health system’s staff, volunteers or medical community. Nedra was recognized for her energy, enthusiasm and professionalism in Surgical Service. She is said to be “an amazing advocate for her staff.” Nedra is also an active member of the AnMed Health Diversity Advisory Council and has served on the national Association of Perioperative Nurses (AORN) Clinical Practice Committee since 2010. The Palmetto Gold Award salutes 100 registered nurses in South Carolina who exemplify excellence in nursing practice and commitment to the profession. Congratulations Nedra. Keep up the excellent work!
Nedra Brown
Page 3
SUMMER REGISTRATION Registration for summer classes opens on Monday, April 9th. Log into your my.pfeiffer account and click on the add/drop courses button. Cohort groups should register through your GA. All MBA, MHA and MSL classes are 10 week sessions. Course schedules can be found by clicking on the following link: http://charlotte.pfeiffer.edu/charlotte/academics/course-schedule or http://triangle.pfeiffer.edu/triangle/academics/course-schedule. If you have questions, talk to your advisor before registering.
DEPARTMENT BANQUET POSTPONED
Thanks to everyone who expressed interest in participating in the Department of Health Administration’s banquet gala scheduled for April 14, 2012. In order to capture the complete scope and influence of Pfeiffer University’s Health Services programs as the 20th anniversary of our graduate health programs approaches, the MHA banquet originally scheduled for April 14 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C., has been rescheduled to September 15, 2012.
At that time, Pfeiffer will honor and celebrate programs and people that can be defined only as “rare gems.” Ranging from gifted faculty members to academic programs designed to position Pfeiffer University as a higher education leader for the 21st century, the program will reflect the excellence and high standards wholly recognized as hallmarks of the Pfeiffer experience. Please look for a formal invitation in July. We hope you will again plan to join us. For additional information, please contact healthadmin@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu.
Page 4
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Center for Professional Advancement to offer new undergraduate cohort groups August 2012
The Center for Professional Advancement (formerly the School of Adult Studies) will offer an independent certificate option in Health Administration, Long Term Care Management or Medical Practice Management for those who hold a minimum of an accredited associate degree and do not wish to enroll in a Bachelor’s degree program at the present time. Contact: Katrina Graham at Katrina.graham@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu for more information.
STAY IN TOUCH
You might wish to forward your Pfeiffer email to your personal account so that you won’t miss important communications over the summer. Any email that originates “From the Director’s Desk” is important and should be read. Stay informed! Read your email!
Page 5
Set yourself on a path whereby you can begin achieving the career goals you've always dreamed of. Start by sending your letter of interest to David Schaaf at David.Schaaf@uphs.upenn.edu
Page 6
MHA 790 – Practicum in Health Administration
Do you need a practicum placement for 2012-13? We are looking for students who plan to register for this course fall 2012-summer 2013. Several organizations are asking for students to work on special projects. If you are interested in being considered, please send your contact information and current resume to healthadmin@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu.
Plan Ahead for MHA 776 – Comparative International Health The proposed international trip schedule for next year is as follows: Destination
Trip Leader
2013 Travel Dates
Estimated Surcharge Cost
Canada
Vickers/Swain
May 16-25
$2,500
London Liberia
Germany Austria
Leist/Miller
Miller/Parker
Nahavandi/Frohlich Vogt/Frohlich
Jan. 3-12
May 16-25
May 11 - 18 Aug. 11-18
$1,700
$2,700 + VISA and vaccinations $2,600 $1,900
Alumni are invited to join us on these international trips. Apply for your passport and get your travel funds together now. Be ready to go when the appropriate registration period opens, and trip meetings are announced.
These are the adventurous students and guests who will travel with Director Miller and Dr. Barnett Parker to Liberia in May.
Page 7
GRADUATION IS AUGUST 11, 2012.
Be there or be square! SHOUT OUT TO THE 2011-12 GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
The Department of Health Administration touches more people in more places everyday than does any other department in the University. This is but one reason we are the largest and the best. Classes are currently held in 11 locations across North Carolina‌ and more if you count the international trip and online classes. The office of the Director needs help in keeping track of all these students and faculty. This is where the very important work of the Graduate Assistant becomes a critical element of our classroom success. These students help with onsite classroom setup and communications between Director Miller, faculty and the class. They also assist with registrations and recruitment. Each one deserves a round of applause for their dedicated service. So, if you haven’t already done so, thank a GA today for doing a great job! Laura Bertinetti Stacey Cuevas Amanda Eversole Julie Fogleman Brittany Hair Mary Johnson Jennifer Lewis Gina Lurz
Miriam Needham Karen Olson Joe Perez Ankshika Punj Sherry Raymond Kathi Robinson Tina Schwebach Laura Shuman
A special thank you goes to Ankshika Punj (Anky), our central office GA. She did a fantastic job helping Dr. Miller this year, which was surely the toughest GA position of all!
Natalie Talley Amanda Thomas Robin Wagner Stephen Aaron Wall Janet Wilson Dave Zotter
Page 8
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK – LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As we look to next year and our continued journey on the road to success, I would like to address a recurring question about the accreditation of our healthcare programs. A student recently wrote to me inquiring about our intent to pursue CAHME (Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education) accreditation. He stated, “I'm currently enrolled in the MHA program. I have really enjoyed the program and learned a lot. I was researching our [hospital’s] Administrative Fellowship Program, which requires that I graduate from a Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) accredited program. I was surprised to learn that Pfeiffer does not have this accreditation. Could you please address my concerns?” I wanted to share my response with our students and alumni so that you will know the facts surrounding this issue. Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding Pfeiffer’s Department of Health Administration’s accreditation status. I am pleased that you addressed your concerns to me which now allows for the sharing of comprehensive information about our graduate programs and strategic plan for the immediate future.
First, Pfeiffer University is home to the largest premier healthcare administration program in the Carolinas. Currently, nearly 500 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Pfeiffer in campuses across the state. These students study in seated, hybrid, online and employer-based cohort environments. They will soon graduate and make their mark on health care sector, providing essential leadership across North Carolina.
Graduates of Pfeiffer’s Department of Health Administration already serve in top leadership positions in every major health system in North Carolina. With more than 1,200 graduates currently working in hospitals, medical clinics and related health care industries, our educational programs play a critical role in developing tomorrow’s health care leaders.
Pfeiffer University recently successfully completed its 10 year reaccreditation review by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). We are pleased to report that the University received no recommendations (for addressing 'gaps') in any core area of responsibility. We can all take deserved pride in this accomplishment. It speaks well of our excellent faculty, staff and quality academic programs. Nevertheless, there is always room for continuous quality improvement. Toward that end, our Department of Health Administration became an Associate Member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) this year. This is the first step in the pursuit of CAHME accreditation. As a result, our students have become eligible for AUPHA scholarships, fellowships, and professional development opportunities with national exposure. I made several announcements about these opportunities in earlier issues of our newsletter Clipboard Notes, and will continue to do so.
Page 9 Pursuit of CAHME accreditation for our department is not a simple or cavalier decision. It will require a significant investment by both the University, current and future students. First, we must increase the curriculum from the current 36 hour requirement to at least 40 hours. At the current tuition rate, that will add approximately $2,168, resulting in a total degree program cost in excess of $21,000. In order to cover the course material required for CAHME accreditation, we may have to add two additional classes for a total of 42 credit hours which will increase costs even more. Secondly, we will have to increase our full-time terminally degreed faculty to include areas of specialization that have here-to-for been supplied by adjunct faculty. We are thus actively recruiting for these positions at the present time. This too will increase administrative overhead costs, which will subsequently be passed onto students through a rise in tuition. Third, Pfeiffer has, in the past, elected to administer its own entrance exam. In preparation for anticipated curriculum changes, we are moving to national testing. All new students, including those in cohort locations, will thus be required to take a national entrance exam for admission to the fall 2012 semester. Fees for this test will not be waived.
Finally, very few of our students choose to pursue doctoral studies or administrative fellowships. We have therefore been reluctant in the past to incur these expenses for obvious cost-benefit reasons. However, as we look to expand the scope of our healthcare program offerings over the next 2-3 years, CAHME accreditation has become both attractive and necessary. For this reason, the Department faculty voted unanimously this past week to make necessary changes in the curriculum and to pursue CAHME accreditation. These changes will become effective January 2013.
Allow me to assure you that testimonials from our alumni confirm the value of a Pfeiffer graduate degree. I am pleased to report that several MHA/MBA students in recent years have received Administrative Fellowships at major healthcare institutions in NC and SC including the first ever awarded at Presbyterian Hospital here in Charlotte. Pfeiffer MHA students received a special invitation to apply for the Administrative Fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center this year. These students have gone on to enjoy successful careers as high level executives. For these reasons our Department will begin the pursuit of CAHME accreditation. I trust that I have provided a transparent response to your inquiry. Sincerely,
Page 10 Pfeiffer University at Charlotte 4701 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209 Phone (704) 521-9116
Fax (704) 521-8617
Enjoy the summer! Health Administration 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
Dr. James Leist
Health Administration Department Faculty
Email Graduate Assistant Ankshika Punj (704) 945-7310 healthadmin@fsmail.pfeiffer.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
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