By Sara A. Mayo
As University of Florida Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) alumnus Kyle Zamajtuk M.H.A. ’24, recently said, “one of the biggest attributes of the M.H.A. program is the network we have access to.”
And for good reason.
That network now includes over 1,000 graduates since the program’s founding 60 years ago.
Many of these alumni return to campus to share their experiences and insights with current students during the cornerstone M.H.A. Seminar, held on Friday afternoons.
These guest speakers, many of whom are health care leaders and executives, help students make the connection from classroom to professional practice. Each seminar is an opportunity for knowledge to be exchanged, for another connection to be formed, and for the network to continue to grow.
So far this semester, students have joined the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) North Florida Chapter for an event focused on effective crisis leadership; gained practical professional skills from Master of Public Health alumnus Sohail Azeem; toured UF Innovate with Director Jackson Streeter, M.D.; and heard from industry leaders including Ed Jimenez, CEO and president of Main Line Health, and Jessica Melton, M.H.A. (pictured), chief transformation officer of UF Health.
Students also participated in the first UF Health/Gainesville M.H.A. Internship Fair this semester where nine alumni presented internship opportunities from various departments and organizations across the health system, further strengthening the connections between students and alumni.
Upcoming sessions for the fall will feature:
– Cris Abrenica, MD, FAAP, pediatric gastroenterologist at UF Health, speaking on “The Epic Experience & Physician-Administrator Relationship”
– M.H.A. Special Topic Symposium (Nov. 7)
– M.H.A. 60th Special Session (Nov. 14), featuring alumni celebrating six decades of UF M.H.A. excellence (Details to come)
As the year continues, so does the cycle of connection: graduates return to give back, students gain insight and inspiration, and the network grows stronger with each new exchange. For UF M.H.A. students and alumni alike, joining the network isn’t just a phase, it’s a lifelong part of being a Gator.
Students benefit deeply from the wisdom, feedback and mentorship of alumni who give back to the program that shaped their own careers. For any alumni interested in engaging with the program or joining a future M.H.A. Seminar, contact Dr. Keith Benson.
shares about his professional journey in M.H.A. Seminar.