The MHA program leadership recently caught up with one of our 2017 graduates, Cory McCann. Learn more about how the MHA/MPH impacted her career growth and what she’s up to post-graduation.
MHA: What was your path through your MHA program? When/where did you complete your practicum/internship? Any other important decision points?
Cory McCann: I enrolled in both the MHA and MPH programs in Fall 2013. At the time, the only option was a joint degree, and since I had been a critical care nurse for nine years, I thought the MPH component would help enrich my understanding of broader determinants of health and help me better understand the world outside the ICU.
Because I worked full time throughout my joint degree program, my practicum evolved with me, and helped accelerate my competence in engaging with communities outside of the hospital setting. I started working with the Utah Department of Health on stroke initiatives, but finished my practicum working on community stroke education and awareness initiatives with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
It was a long journey, but after attending school every semester for nearly 4 years, I not only earned my degrees, but I also had the opportunity to directly apply my newly gained skills to my daily work.
MHA: Why did you decide to complete the dual MPH/MHA degrees? What were you seeking from the MHA?
CM: As a clinician who was advancing into leadership positions, I realized quickly with my first management role that my success would require additional education. My mentor at the time recommended that I look into getting a business degree because I might find it more useful than an advanced nursing degree for my career path. I was seeking the opportunity to gain additional business, analytic and leadership skills that would help accelerate my ability to help solve some of healthcare’s most complex problems.
What was your biggest challenge navigating the dual program and your full time job?
CM: Because I was working as a manager in a large healthcare organization, I felt like I had the unique opportunity to apply my learning to my work every day. However, quantifying that application as it related to my practicum/internship was challenging. Also, I had to make a lot of short term sacrifices in my personal interests (namely skiing, cycling and making music). I found a way to feel fulfilled in at least one paradigm by being a dedicated bicycle commuter throughout graduate school (even in the winter!).
What was the biggest reward from completing the dual program?
CM: One of the greatest rewards of the program was that I had career advancement opportunities every couple of years while I was completing my degrees. I moved from a supportive management role, to managing a small clinic department, to managing the stroke program at the University of Utah. With each new opportunity, my responsibilities and scope of influence grew which was tangibly rewarding.
In the end I landed a position with Intermountain Healthcare in a director-level role upon graduation. Thanks to the relationships I developed with faculty in the program and my new skill set, I now have an amazing job that connects to my values as a healthcare leader. I know I would not be here today if not for the dual program!
What professional opportunities or recognition did you receive during your program?
CM: I served on the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Western States Affiliate Stroke Task Force and the Utah State Stroke Task Force beginning in 2016 while I was still in the program. Due to the work I did with my practicum, I received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association 2017 Western States Affiliate Stroke Champion Award. During the program, I participated on a committee at work designed to help standardize the work across service lines at the University of Utah Hospital with respect to outreach business.
What have you been pursuing since graduation?
CM: I started work as the operations director for the neurosciences clinical program at Intermountain Healthcare in June 2017, nearly one month after graduation. After 3 months of acclimating to my new role, I am turning on my “out of office” reply to go mountain biking with my husband for two weeks in Mallorca, located on Spain’s Balearic Islands, to celebrate! I also plan to get music back into my life after putting singing and music on hold during graduate school.
