MSHA students talk healthcare careers with Birmingham students
Andrew Dees, Alexis Jackson, Kashondra Smith, and Javeen Thomas, all members of the UAB School of Health Professions’ Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA Class 51 and Class 52) program, partnered with UAB Medicine to host Open Eyes Birmingham and discuss health administration careers with students from Birmingham City Schools.
“It was not until the summer leading into my senior year in college that I discovered the field of health administration and that discovery transformed my life and the means in which I desire to serve, marrying both my passion and my strengths,” said Jackson, who is herself a 2011 graduate of Spain Park High School in the Hoover City Schools district. “At an early age I knew I loved the heart and mission behind healthcare but was completely unaware of career opportunities that existed beyond direct patient care so it is important to me to create avenues of enlightenment for others, especially for underrepresented populations.”
Open Eyes Birmingham is a non-profit group whose mission is to help at-risk youth across the Magic City discover “independence through education.” On this day, their students toured the UAB Health System and discussed healthcare organizations as well as servant leadership with the MSHA and UAB Medicine students.
The students also heard personal accounts from Stephanie Woods, associate chief nursing officer, UAB Hospital, and alumna of the Department of Health Services Administration’s Healthcare Quality and Safety programs, as well as Nigel Brown, executive director, Performance Excellence, UAB Hospital, and a Healthcare Quality and Safety programs, advisory board member.
“As an African American woman, I believe there is great value in having diverse representation at the table as we seek to promote and create health communities,” said Jackson, who will be pursuing her Administrative Residency at Baylor Scott and White Health in Dallas, Texas. “As we encourage and prioritize diversity, our teams and organizations are strengthened and the health of those we serve is enhanced.”
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