New at Alma: Health Care Administration Program
Experts acknowledge that careers in health care are rapidly expanding globally. The industry is in need of skilled personnel who have a broad knowledge of health care administration to complement the existing practices of the clinical health care professional.
Alma College’s new Health Care Administration program, which begins accepting students in 2011, answers the call.
“Alma’s program recognizes the business, ethical, historical and cultural contexts of health administration,” says Dr. Dale Sanders (above).
“CEOs in the health field have expressed the need for health professionals who understand the business and administration side of the health professions,” says Dr. Dale Sanders, director and assistant professor of health care administration at Alma College. “For example, the need for administration skills is especially critical for physicians in private practice. They can treat patients, but many struggle in managing daily operations.
“Alma’s program recognizes the business, ethical, historical and cultural contexts of health administration,” he says.
Alma College’s strong liberal arts curriculum—along with courses in financial and managerial accounting, economics, health care finance, health service management, and strategic planning in health care—provides an excellent foundation for students pursuing health care administration careers, says Sanders. In addition, Alma’s program provides hands-on internship opportunities locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally.
Entry- and middle-level health administration jobs exist with hospitals, nursing homes, physician practices, home care organizations, outpatient centers, wellness/fitness centers, medical suppliers, managed care organizations/health insurers, pharmaceutical firms, and many other related organizations, says Sanders.
Students in Alma’s program are required to fulfill a senior capstone project that includes active involvement in researching and solving real-world problems related to health care administration.
Alma College is seeking program accreditation with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, says Sanders.
The Health Care Administration program joins Biotechnology and Environmental Studies as new programs in integrated health at Alma College.
Posted: Fri, December 3rd, 2010 at 8:44AM
