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2011 Undergraduate Workshop Exceeds Expectations

By Lydia S. Middleton, MBA, CAE posted 11-16-2011 09:18

  
Earlier this month, more that sixty faculty came together in Birmingham, Alabama to share their expertise in undergraduate education in healthcare management.  This meeting was the sixth time that the undergraduate faculty have engaged in a workshop designed to provide them a space to address the unique issues and opportunities faced by this sector of our membership. Participants raved about the quality of the learning as well as the sense of collegiality that they experienced over the weekend.

For the first time ever, the meeting was hosted on the campus of an AUPHA member program—the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  The program at UAB went above and beyond to make our members feel welcome and valued. From the elegant opening reception to the President’s tail gate to the door-to-door transportation provided throughout the weekend, UAB truly demonstrated their southern hospitality and provided an ideal setting for the meeting.

The meeting itself featured a keynote address given by Neeysa Biddle, FACHE, Consultant and Former Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, St. Vincent’s Hospital. Biddle, who is a graduate of both the bachelors and masters programs at UAB, spoke of her journey and the vital role that her education played in achieving her success. She did a masterful job of reminding the audience of the value of what they do, speaking of her enduring desire to obtain a college education long after most people would have had that opportunity, and the remarkable experiences she had as a result.

In addition to the keynote, there were eighteen breakout sessions on a myriad of topics specific to education in the undergraduate setting. Topics ranged from Teaching Healthcare Finance Using Simulation of a Simple Diagnostic Decision to Fantasy Island: An Integrative Exercise in Leadership and Critical Thinking; from Adventures in Undergraduate Research: Translating Positive Experiences across Disciplines to Exit Exams: Yellow Brick Roads to Sanity and Effectiveness. The meeting concluded with a panel discussion titled How to Have an Effective Review which featured practical tips and insights from reviewers and program faculty who are very familiar with the undergraduate review process. 

Following the meeting, participants made a point of letting us know what they thought:

“I always leave AUPHA meetings energized and with so many great ideas for how to improve our program and its courses, along with a personal sense of being part of an incredibly collegial community of practice :-) !!  This year, thanks to UAB, including my Birmingham tour guide, Mickey, I think this meeting surpasses any I have previously attended and that was no easy feat.”
--Mary Dominiak, PhD, Loyola University

“This was my first AUPHA conference to attend and it was a very welcoming environment - even as a first-time presenter!  It was great to be surrounded by colleagues with similar interests/initiatives.”
--Christian Lieneck, PhD, FACMPE, FACHE, FAHM, Texas State University—San Marcos

“I too enjoyed seeing everyone and learning what other programs are doing. I also like the venue of having these meetings at a program member's site. UAB did a wonderful job hosting the 2011 workshop.”
--Robert Kulesher, PhD, MHA, FACHE, East Carolina University

Many thanks to the planning committee, chaired by Keith Benson, PhD from Winthrop University. Your hard work has been greatly appreciated!

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