Photo of Corey Waterhouse Corey Waterhouse Corey Waterhouse

Corey Waterhouse

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2021

Photo of Corey Waterhouse

This program has helped me move on to the next stage of my career by opening so many more doors. Working on a master's degree allows me to apply for positions that I was unqualified for before, and it will allow me to keep advancing academically.

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

Favorite course or professor? My favorite course has been Health Ethics and Law, it challenged me to think outside of the box while analyzing critical ethical dilemmas and learning about vital ethical principles related to the law. All the classwork tied to real-world issues, and assignments did not just relate to academic work but also correlated to future professional work.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The Woods College works for me because the Masters of Healthcare Administration degree is entirely online, and I can work at my own pace. Being able to receive an education from one of the best academic institutions online is one of the best experiences I have had so far. The fact that I can work at my pace means that I have more control over my class load and can decide how many classes I am able to take at a time.

Photo of Stephanie Frezzo Stephanie Frezzo Stephanie Frezzo

Stephanie Frezzo

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2022

Photo of Stephanie Frezzo

The MHA program is helping me pivot from a clinical role in healthcare to an administrative position. The courses have allowed me to familiarize myself with the many aspects within healthcare I’ve had no prior experience with. It had been 20+ years since I had graduated from college, and the program and its professors eased my trepidation returning to an academic setting.

Hometown: Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

Favorite course or professor? The program leadership and faculty have been such positive influences in my studies. Everyone goes above and beyond to help students succeed. From the first course, Introduction to Health Systems and Organizations, and establishing a rapport early on with the instructor, confirmed that choosing to attend Boston College was the absolute best decision when selecting a graduate school. One of the professors has become a mentor to me, and since graduation I continue to reach out for advice.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The Woods College works for me because it allows me the flexibility to complete my master's degree remotely and provides exposure to networking with diverse individuals from around the country. The professors and staff are extremely easy to communicate with and are always willing to help and go out of their way to make sure you understand the assignments.

Photo of Ellen Kinlin Ellen Kinlin Ellen Kinlin

Ellen Kinlin

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2023

Photo of Ellen Kinlin

I have been in the field of executive search for 40 years specializing in the recruitment of C-Suite Executives within the Financial Services Sector. I have always been interested in the healthcare field and am in the midst of expanding my practice to include Healthcare as another industry specialization. I am currently in the MHA program so that I can gain the necessary knowledge to be successful in this new venture especially in light of the staggering projection for job growth in the healthcare industry through 2025.

Hometown: Osterville, Massachusetts

Favorite course or professor? I just started the program and have only completed two classes - Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Management Theory and Organizational Behavior. Both were excellent introductory courses with engaging and supportive instructors clearly invested in the success of their students. I felt immediately welcomed into the program and both instructors seemed to take a personal interest which made me feel even more energized to pursue this program.

Why does the Woods College work for you? I am a non-traditional student and life-long learner who enjoys a busy career and life. Woods College provides an online learning experience while also providing a world class education. The flexibility of the asynchronous learning allows me to maintain my work schedule while also pursuing my MHA. The faculty is engaged and highly supportive, offering assistance via zoom, phone, email or text seven days a week. The online learning platform allows for great discussions with fellow students which helps to create strong peer connections while also gaining multiple viewpoints on the same topic.

Photo of Amy Senese Amy Senese Amy Senese

Amy Senese

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2022

Photo of Amy Senese

The materials I have learned, and the perspectives I have gleaned from my classmates have made me more well-rounded, educated, and confident in my current role. It has helped me to shape my vision of what my next step will be, and I am currently networking and actively taking steps towards that next role. I can confidently say I wouldn’t be headed down the path I am without pursuing this degree, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Favorite course or pofessor? Although I’m only one-third into the program, my favorite class to date remains Intro to Healthcare Systems and Organizations. The course was such a great overview of the healthcare ecosystem and touched upon so many important and relevant topics in healthcare today. Learning the course materials while gaining the diverse perspectives from my classmates was invaluable. With that said, all the professors in the program have been wonderful—always accessible and willing to help with questions or if you are looking for resources to dig deeper into topics.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The Woods College is the perfect fit for me because of the online platform and condensed courses. It allows me to pursue my MHA while working full time and juggling my family commitments because I can do my class work on my own time and schedule. I love the optional office hours and the ability to get to know my professors and classmates; it helps to bring the topics to life and feels like I’m part of a community despite being 100% remote.

Photo of Olivia Sierra Olivia Sierra Olivia Sierra

Olivia Sierra

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2022

Photo of Olivia Sierra

This degree will give me the tools to grow my career in healthcare. In my current role, my skill set qualifies me for many opportunities, but I’m missing the advanced degree that is often needed in an academic medical center.

Hometown: Dedham, Massachusetts

Favorite course or professor? I’m early in the program, but I really enjoyed working with the MHA program director. She has helped me to see that this is the right program for me and for my career growth.

Why does the Woods College work for you? I work full time and having the flexibility to do homework when my schedule allows is the only way I could get a master's degree. The program has also created more work-life balance for me; my evenings are for school and work now waits until the morning.

Photo of Brian Moran Brian Moran Brian Moran

Brian Moran

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2023

Photo of Brian Moran

I have had a great career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Looking forward to the next phase, I saw the MHA program as a way to get involved in my community. Local health departments and community medical providers are always looking for leaders to help run programs for patients that need care.

Hometown: Broadlands, Virginia

Favorite course or professor? Leadership in Healthcare was my favorite course. The instruction is provided by the COO of a Boston area hospital, who has extensive experience leading organizations through growth and change. He brings that experience to every weekly discussion and asks his students to address issues that are currently facing leaders in healthcare.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The flexibility of the MHA Program offered through the Woods College works best for me. I travel weekly for work and couldn't be tied down to specific nights or weekends. The independent learning that occurs through weekly reading and discussion topics creates a collaborative environment.

Photo of Jorge Gonzalez Jorge Gonzalez Jorge Gonzalez

Jorge Gonzalez

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2022

Photo of Jorge Gonzalez

Although I did not previously have a healthcare background, the program has prepared me for the next step in my career—a pivot from the military into healthcare.

Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas

Favorite course or professor? My favorite course so far was Management Theory and Organizational Behavior. The class allowed me to leverage the skills I learned in the course and incorporate the concepts in my day-to-day work in the military.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The flexibility, in-depth curriculum, and feeling of community of this online program are some of the unique qualities of the Boston College Master of Healthcare Administration.

Photo of Andrew Scaplan Andrew Scaplan Andrew Scaplen

Andrew Scaplan

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2021

Photo of Andrew Scaplan

During my time in the program, I was promoted to a director position in my organization. I attribute much of my success in the interview process to many of the lessons I learned from the MHA program that empowered me to think more strategically and on a leadership level.

Hometown: Gorham, Maine

Favorite course or professor? My favorite course has been Leadership in Healthcare because it helped me develop key leadership behaviors such as self-awareness, flexibility, balance, trust, and driving change within an organization. The coursework was very helpful and applicable in my current role because it focused on effective strategies to improve my own success as a leader. More importantly, it also helped me develop strategies for the success of my team, customer teams, and our broader organization.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The Woods College MHA program works for me because it gives me the flexibility to continue my education while still working full time. The faculty are welcoming and open to connecting anytime and provide helpful insights based on their real-world experience. I have found it valuable connecting with peers from the program and with professors to their professional organizations and networks as well. This has helped me stay connected to industry trends and broadened my network for potential career opportunities in the future.

Photo of Garima Baloria Garima Baloria Garima Baloria

Garima Baloria

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2023

Photo of Garima Baloria

I come from a technical, scientific background and work in the biotech sector. The MHA program has really opened my eyes to the importance of soft skills in dealing with others within my organization. I have learned so many foundational skills that have allowed me to converse intelligently with others, whether it be colleagues in marketing, finance, HR, or the C-Suite.

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts (originally from Punjab, India)

Favorite course or professor? Health Ethics and Law. I was drawn to the course material as legal and ethical issues within the healthcare sector are at the forefront during the global pandemic we are living through. Every week we had insightful discussions in class about some of the most pressing healthcare issues facing the world. The professor created such an open and collegial class atmosphere that made it easy to engage and learn.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The curriculum is academically rigorous, the faculty are world-class subject matter experts, the program staff are friendly and helpful, and the program is designed in a way that allows students to not only survive but thrive. I have a full-time job and am a mother to an infant, yet I still look forward to class every week because the school creates such a fun and productive atmosphere to come and learn.

Photo of Kristen Pilkington Kristen Pilkington Kristen Pilkington

Kristen Pilkington

Healthcare Administration, Class of 2021

Photo of Kristen Pilkington

As an undergraduate English major, working with datasets was initially daunting to me. After completing the Finance course and Healthcare Analytics, I am now the go-to data person in my office, and these skills will be beneficial as I pivot my career into the health ecosystem.

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Favorite course or professor? Healthcare Quality Management was my favorite class. This class challenged me and my peers to think with a critical, analytical, and innovative mindset about topics within the healthcare field. The professor provided the space for the class to engage in intriguing conversations while supplementing our work with a substantial foundation of useful material. One of my favorite memories of the class was when we completely shifted from the planned topic of the day to apply it to a real-time situation that was happening with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Why does the Woods College work for you? The Woods College provided me the opportunity to pursue a master's degree while also working full time. The professors brought care and passion to their instruction, providing ongoing feedback and a real-time presence throughout the course. The degree program was filled with learning opportunities in many different avenues simultaneously, from finance to quality to human resources. The Woods College is rooted in the Jesuit tradition of "with and for others," and that was an exceptional experience.