In response to the need from the health care industry for more skilled workers with knowledge of health care administration,
Alma College is adding a new program.
The college's new Health Care Administration program will begin accepting students in 2011.
"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.
While careers in health care expand globally, there are niches that need to be filled within the health care industry, to complement the existing practices of clinicians and other professionals, and Sanders says administration is one of them.
"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," he says.
The program is designed to take advantage of Alma's strong liberal arts curriculum, including courses in financial and managerial accounting, economics, health care finance, health service management, and strategic planning. It should provide a good foundation for students looking toward a career in health care administration.
"Alma's program recognizes the business, ethical, historical and cultural contexts of health administration," Sanders says.
The program includes hands-on internship opportunities ranging from the local to the international, as well as requiring a senior capstone project that gets students involved in researching and solving real-world health care administration problems.
Alma College is seeking to have the program accredited with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Dr. Dale Sanders, Alma College
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