Learn more about the Master of Health Administration students representing the Gator Nation in health administration case competitions throughout the year. These competitions give students a hands-on, interactive experience solving real-world health care challenges, with feedback from executives at leading organizations, preparing them to become the next generation of health care leaders.
Competing in health administration case competitions across the country has long been a tradition for the UF Master of Health Administration program.
In this milestone 60th anniversary year, that tradition continues to grow — with a program record of eight annual competitions, up from just three in earlier years.
Students have routinely participated in well-known events such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health Administration Case Competition, at the NAHSE Everett V. Fox Student Case Competition and the first-year student exclusive Health Administration Case Competition at the Ohio State University.
Recent growth in the program has opened additional opportunities for students, including new competitions featuring virtual first rounds for those eager to participate.
In the Cleveland Clinic Case Competition, students submitted deliverables for the virtual first round, becoming the first UF M.H.A. team to advance from a virtual format. They then competed in the quarterfinals, held in person at the Cleveland Clinic in Columbus, Ohio.
Learn more about the student team who competed at the Cleveland Clinic Case Competition:
Quick Facts:
- Team dynamic in three words: Confident, proud, family (Isabella); Positive, collaborative, trust (Raymond)
- Go-to productivity snacks during prep: Cheez-Its, Made Good Granola Minis, pretzels, Little Bites Muffins
- Early bird or night owl: As a team, we would begin working at 9 a.m. and wrap things up around midnight, so both! Raymond is an early bird; Abigail is a night owl.
- Most used phrase in meetings: “We got this!”
- Most comedic: Isabella
- Most encouraging: Raymond
- Team “Mom”: Abigail
- Favorite way to de-stress: Isabella and Raymond run, and Abigail journals her thoughts.
Question and Answer:
What makes the Cleveland Clinic Case Competition unique?
Unlike other competitions, the Cleveland Clinic Case Competition requires teams to produce two deliverables in an intense four-day timeframe, addressing the organization’s strategic priorities. Competing against more than 50 teams nationwide, advancing depends entirely on the quality of the slide decks. Teams must craft a compelling narrative while addressing every required component.
What motivated you to compete?
“The opportunity to become the first first-year team to compete drove us through the virtual round,” Raymond shared. “Every day, we reminded ourselves that we were representing UF M.H.A. at this internationally recognized health care system.”
What does representing UF M.H.A. mean to you?
“Representing UF M.H.A. means so much,” Abigail said. “As a child, I dreamed of studying here and joining Gator Nation. Now, as a graduate student, it’s surreal to contribute to the program’s legacy while paving the way for future students.”
How did you balance coursework and competition prep?
“Our professors were critical to our success,” Abigail said. “They guided our critical thinking, set up meetings and arranged mock trials. Classroom material directly related to our case, which helped us continue learning from their expertise.”
What was the most challenging part of preparing?
“Finding all the information to build a strong case backed by fact, not opinion,” Abigail said. “We wanted judges to know our solutions would help their hospital systems and had been proven to work.”
Did being the first team to advance from a virtual round add pressure?
“Yes, but pressure creates diamonds, and we are a diamond of a team,” Raymond said.
“Being the first team adds responsibility but also motivation,” Isabella said. “Without guidance from previous teams, we embraced the challenge and prepared intentionally.”
What skills have you developed?
“I’ve learned patience, active listening and collaboration,” Isabella said.
“Delegation, critical thinking and analytical skills,” Raymond added.
Message for alumni and supporters:
“The support from family, friends and alumni means everything,” Abigail said. “Every good luck text and celebration of our advancement show us the incredible community behind this experience.”
Anything else to know about the team?
“We’d never done group work together before and are grateful for this opportunity,” Isabella said.
“Our team is type-A but laidback. We want to win and enjoy every moment,” Abigail said.
“We are the dream team!” Raymond added.
Celebrate with us!
This year, the Master of Health Administration program celebrates sixty years of shaping the nation’s next generation of healthcare leaders. Learn how you can join the celebration and engage with the program.