University of Washington
Recent Faculty publications
Scott Coplan, MPA, Health Services Clinical Assistant Professor and David Masuda, MD, MS, Medical Education Lecturer, co-authored “Redefining Health IT Project Success,” which appeared in the Spring 2012 edition of the Journal of Healthcare Information Management. The article follows up on a pilot study described in their book, Project Management for Healthcare Information Technology (2011). The study assessed the potential value of integrating project, Information Technology, and change management.
Ed Walker, MD, the Cheryl M. Scott Group Health Cooperative Endowed Professor of Health Administration, authored “Creating a Culture of Safety” for the third edition of The Healthcare Quality Book: Vision, Strategy, and Tools. He encourages leadership and quality, grounded in reflective self-awareness, influencing individuals, and understanding cultural change.
Chris Johnson Designated Austin Ross Chair in Health Administration
The new MHA Program Director, Chris Johnson, PhD, was designated the Austin Ross Chair of Health Administration at the School of Public Health, University of Washington. Austin Ross is a member of the pantheon of remarkable health care leaders in this nation, with a long and remarkable career. His long tenure at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle continues to this day, as VP and Executive Administrator Emeritus. He joined the faculty of the UW School of Public Health in 1977, actively teaching until 1999, when he became Professor Emeritus. Most recently, Austin was inducted into Modern Healthcare’s Hall of Fame, sharing the honor in 2010 with the late Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.
A luncheon was held August 21, 2012 for Chris and Austin to meet. A small group gathered at the Rainier Club in Seattle, including Dr. Gary Kaplan and Sarah Patterson, Virginia Mason senior leadership, William Welton, outgoing MHA program director, William Dowling, Professor, and Larry Kessler, Chair of the Department of Health Services. Also attending was Dr. Roger Lindeman, Chairman and CEO at Virginia Mason, where the Austin Ross Chair was initially funded, and Austin’s sons, Randall and Austin T. Ross, both of whom followed their father into health care professions.
The luncheon was an excellent opportunity to hear the history of both the UW MHA Program and Virginia Mason Medical Center. The strong tie between these two institutions was demonstrated in the interesting, lively conversation coming from the wealth of experience around the table.
UW MHA Student Association
The University of Washington MHA Student Association (MHASA) officially registered in Fall 2011, and developed the association structure and bylaws during the following school year. It is the mission of the MHASA to promote the recruitment, education, and professional advancement of future healthcare leaders, through professional development, engagement with the healthcare community, and philanthropic activities.
Earlier this quarter, the MHASA hosted a social event at Jose Rizal Park for the UW/USC football game and sponsored student attendance at the Medical Group Management Association Conference in San Antonio, TX. Looking forward, the MHASA is working with executives from across the country to speak with students during the MHASA Speaker Series and will sponsor students to attend the American College of Healthcare Executives Congress in Chicago this Spring. The MHASA will also be sending a team of four students to compete at the Health Administration Case Competition sponsored by the University of Alabama in February.
Professional Development for Students
This fall, the UW MHA Program provided numerous professional development opportunities for students, including hosting three Fellowship recruiting visits from the University of Utah Health Care (Salt Lake City ,UT), Providence Health & Services (Renton, WA), and Swedish Health System (Seattle, WA). Students also participated in resume assessments with recent graduates and local health care professionals, and in the start-up of the Mentor Program.