By Lois Thomson

Paul W. McGourty, RN, MHA, FACHE, has a lot of letters after his name, but that’s just an indication of the progression of his career. McGourty began his career working in hospitality with Marriott International and Ritz-Carlton, and even owned his own restaurant.

However, he realized, “I always wanted to work in a profession where at the end of the day, I knew my time made a difference, and I wasn’t feeling that way or feeling fulfilled in the hospitality industry. Then I felt I was being called to healthcare.”

Nursing school held an appeal but because there was a waiting list to enroll – and a two-year degree would have taken more than four years to obtain – McGourty asked if there was a way to speed up the process. An admissions coordinator suggested a certificate program, which, upon completion, would enable him to be placed at the top of the list to get into the nursing program.

McGourty earned a certificate for surgical technology and, as he explained, “It allowed me to work in the operating room (at Brigham & Women’s Hospital) as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) while I was putting myself through nursing school.” When McGourty earned his RN, he was immediately hired into the operating room – a position he loved, but after a while he also recognized, “I wanted to be in leadership.”

A position as director of patient experience opened at Holy Cross, and in comparing the requirements of the position with the experience on his CV, McGourty found what he thought was a good fit. “So that’s how I transitioned into leadership here at Holy Cross; I’ve since been promoted to executive director over acute care, and I oversee patient experience for our hospital and our health system.”

In that, McGourty has found the fulfillment he was looking for. “The sense of purpose never goes away: whether you’re providing direct care to a patient, or in an office or in the boardroom making decisions affecting the people who are providing the front-line care, you know the work you do ultimately touches many lives. And that’s a privilege. Work is sacred, and at the end of the day, knowing you had an opportunity to make a difference is what drives me.”

He added that he believes one of his most important responsibilities is to put his colleagues at the center of everything he does. He said if he does that, “I know they will put patients at the center of what they do. I feel you have to put your colleagues first and make sure they have the tools and the resources they need to provide the best possible care.”

While in this position of executive director of nursing and patient experience, McGourty studied at Florida Atlantic University for his MHA, which he obtained in 2018, and it was there that he learned about ACHE, the American College of Healthcare Executives. “One of our assignments was to join ACHE, and the chapter president came and spoke to the class, and told us about all the benefits it offered.” He maintained his membership, and two years ago decided, “Now I need to become a fellow, and work toward gaining that distinction and certification.” He completed that in 2025, earning an FACHE.

McGourty admitted it was a lot of work, saying, “It’s definitely a commitment. It’s not easy, and it shouldn’t be. It’s the gold standard for healthcare leaders to attain; it signifies a commitment to lifelong learning and a commitment to the profession.”

McGourty appreciates ACHE, with its many networking and volunteering opportunities available. “You’re able to contribute and give back to the profession outside the four walls of the healthcare system you work in, which is a great feeling.”



By Daniel Casciato

As South Florida’s healthcare needs continue to grow, Miami Dade College’s Medical Campus is preparing for the 2026–27 academic year with a focus on expanding career pathways, strengthening clinical training and ensuring graduates are ready to enter a fast-changing workforce.

For Dr. Alwyn Leiba, president of MDC Medical Campus, the coming year is about alignment: between students, academic programs and the healthcare workforce they are preparing to enter.

“Our top priority is ensuring that our programs continue to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry while providing students with high-quality, accessible education,” Dr. Leiba says.

That mission reflects the broader role MDC plays in South Florida. The Medical Campus serves students preparing for careers in nursing, dental hygiene, respiratory care, imaging, emergency medical services and other allied health fields. Many of those areas are seeing sustained demand as hospitals, clinics and health systems work to recruit professionals who can step into patient care and support roles quickly.

Dr. Leiba says the campus is focused on “expanding pathways that lead to in-demand healthcare careers, strengthening experiential learning opportunities, integrating emerging technologies into the curriculum, and continuing to build strong partnerships with healthcare providers throughout South Florida.”

Those priorities are especially important in a region where healthcare employers are seeking graduates who bring more than technical preparation. Clinical knowledge remains essential, but today’s healthcare workforce also needs professionals who can communicate clearly, adapt to change and serve patients from diverse backgrounds.

MDC’s approach centers on aligning classroom instruction with real workforce expectations. Students are prepared through clinical placements, simulation-based learning, and close collaboration with healthcare organizations that understand where staffing needs are greatest.

“South Florida continues to experience a growing demand for healthcare professionals across many disciplines, including nursing, dental hygiene, respiratory care, imaging, emergency medical services, and allied health professions,” Dr. Leiba explains.

MDC’s approach centers on turning workforce demand into practical preparation. Students are trained through a mix of classroom instruction, clinical placements and simulation-based learning, with input from healthcare employers who understand where the greatest needs exist.

“MDC prepares students by aligning our curriculum with industry needs, offering hands-on clinical experiences in real healthcare settings, utilizing simulation technologies, and maintaining close collaboration with healthcare employers to ensure our graduates are workforce-ready from day one,” Dr. Leiba says.

For 2026–27, MDC is adding a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, scheduled to launch in Fall 2026. The program is part of a broader push to help healthcare professionals build on their clinical training and move into expanded roles.

“This new bachelor’s degree provides dental hygienists with an opportunity to advance their education and expand their career opportunities in areas such as leadership, education, public health, and research,” Dr. Leiba says.

The new degree reflects a larger trend in healthcare education: helping students and working professionals see that healthcare careers can evolve. A student may begin in direct patient care, then move into leadership, education, public health, research, health information or other specialized areas.

Technology is another part of MDC’s preparation strategy, especially as healthcare programs look for ways to help students develop confidence before they enter patient-care environments.

“In addition, we continue to enhance our simulation labs and instructional technologies while strengthening partnerships with healthcare organizations to provide students with meaningful clinical experiences and exposure to the latest practices in patient care,” Dr. Leiba says.

Those relationships also keep MDC closely connected to the employers who will eventually hire many of its graduates.

“Our community partnerships are essential to student success,” Dr. Leiba says. “They provide students with valuable clinical experiences where they can apply classroom knowledge in real healthcare environments under the guidance of experienced professionals.”

That continuity can make clinical training more than a graduation requirement. It can become an early bridge into the workforce and a way for local employers to identify future hires.

“Many of our graduates secure employment with organizations where they completed their clinical training, making these relationships beneficial for both students and employers while strengthening the healthcare workforce throughout South Florida,” Dr. Leiba says.

Another focus for the 2026–27 academic year is helping students understand the full range of healthcare career options available to them. Many students enter college with a general interest in healthcare but limited exposure to the many roles that exist beyond the most familiar professions.

MDC helps students explore those possibilities through advising, career events, industry speakers, faculty mentorship and exposure to multiple disciplines throughout their education.

“Healthcare today offers far more career opportunities than many students initially realize,” Dr. Leiba says.

For students who are interested in healthcare but unsure where they fit, Dr. Leiba encourages exploration rather than hesitation.

“My advice is to stay curious and explore your options,” he says. “Healthcare is an incredibly diverse field with opportunities for individuals who enjoy direct patient care, technology, science, education, leadership, and many other areas.”

The key, he adds, is to begin learning, asking questions and gaining exposure. As students move through their programs, they often discover where their strengths and interests align.

“The most important step is getting started,” Dr. Leiba says. “As you gain experience, you’ll discover the path that best matches your interests, talents, and passion for making a difference in people’s lives.”

For MDC Medical Campus, that preparation is both a student success strategy and a regional workforce strategy. As South Florida’s healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the college is positioning its 2026–27 academic year around access, career mobility and practical training that connects directly to community need.

For more information, visit mdc.edu/medical.



AI, AI, AI. Yes, Artificial Intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of our healthcare sector. It impacts the clinical provision of care, the business of health care relating to such aspects as revenue cycles and the Return on Investment (ROI) of AI, as well as the pedagogy associated with clinical education, healthcare management, and healthcare leadership education. In all of this focus on AI, we must remember that AI is a tool that aids in our work and our decision making, but it is not an end in itself. Ultimately, whether it be clinical practice or healthcare management and leadership, regardless of the health sector setting, it is critical thinking that remains of significant importance in assessment and effectiveness of outcomes. Ultimately, critical thinking remains a major part of the processes and outcomes that we focus on in our undergraduate, graduate, and professional healthcare management and leadership programs.

The Miami Herbert Business School offers an Executive MBA Health Management and Policy program (HEMBA), Master of Health Administration program (MHA), a four-year MD/MBA program, and an undergraduate Health Management and Policy program. To meet evolving demand, certificate programs are now provided to the healthcare community with focus on various aspects of health management, leadership, finance, AI, blockchain, and policy. These programs are provided regionally, nationally, and globally. The business school-based curricula we offer in our HEMBA, MHA, MD/MBA, and undergraduate Health Management and Policy programs provide our students and alumni with essential skills; skills which are so important in our ever-changing environment. It is apparent, with all the changes in healthcare and the requirements of the sector, that people are seeking knowledge associated with management and leadership in the field.

Our rigorous academic programs have resulted in the Miami Herbert Business School becoming the third business school in the nation to earn “triple crown status” with accreditation from the three most prestigious business school accreditation organizations. This is a distinction is a notable accomplishment achieved by fewer than 1% of all business schools globally. Accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), and the Association of MBAs (AMBA) recognizes the high standards of achievement at Miami Herbert. In addition, our Health Executive MBA program and our MHA program are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), making ours the only programs in the country with all four accreditations. The department continues to actively engage with the highly prestigious Business School Alliance for Health Management (BAHM), an elite, collaborative consortium of business school-based health management programs offering national and global resources, assuring cutting-edge curriculum, the exchange of webinars and conferences, as well as allowing our students access to a global network of fellow students.

Our Center for Health Care Management and Policy hosted its 15th annual conference, The Business of Health Care. This year, the theme was “Navigating Change.” Executives from major professional organizations, including America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Healthcare Financial Management Association, Medical Group Management Association, National Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and the head of government relations for the American Hospital Association, joined for a keynote panel discussion on strategies given the significant changes taking place in health care. The conference, with nearly 900 registrants this past year, offered our students, regional, national and global community, alumni, and supporters unparalleled access to industry experts who are actively shaping the landscape of the healthcare sector. The University’s Center is already planning the 2027 conference, scheduled for February 12, 2027, with the theme being, “The Longevity Economy.” We are coordinating high-powered panels to provide invaluable and varied perspectives on these aspects of our industry.

The students, alumni, and faculty in the University of Miami Department of Health Management and Policy continue to achieve success. Both our graduate and undergraduate student teams competed in the South Florida Chapter of the American College of Health Executives (ACHE) case competition, the National Association for Health Service Executives (NAHSE) case competition, the Penn State Health Policy and Administration case competition, Pennsylvania State’s and Tulane’s virtual competition, and the Medical University of South Caroline (MUSC) case competition. Our graduate and undergraduate students partook in internship experiences that span over fifteen health systems and organizations, located across multiple states and countries. Our undergraduate students presented their semester-long research at the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s annual conference, among other impactful activities. The department faculty include Dr. Danielle Ellerbe as the academic director of the MHA program, Dr. Steven Ullmann, who continues to serve as the academic director of the HEMBA and MD/MBA programs, Dr. Michael French, the Department Chair, and Dr. Karoline Mortensen. Dr. Kelsey Moran, and our newest faculty member Dr. Alex Schulte, Ph.D. from U.C. of Berkeley. Our faculty actively publish timely research and take on editorial roles in high-impact journals, serve the community, including the national and global communities, provide insights to the local, national and global media, and hold leadership positions in the department, school, university, and on national boards.

Our courses continue to offer a variety of interdisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities. Our HEMBA public health policy class is co-taught by two former United States Health and Human Services Secretaries (Donna Shalala and Alex M. Azar II). The department hosts a monthly distinguished speaker series open to students and faculty throughout the academic year, hosting researchers and policymakers from across the nation. The MHA, HEMBA, and MD/MBA graduate programs have attracted increasing numbers of students who desire to augment their future clinical practices and management and leadership opportunities. Our HMP department advisory board, made up of representative leaders from distinguished local, national, and global health care organizations and companies, continues to provide valuable insight.

In this era of AI and significant changes in our domestic and global healthcare environment, the mission of the Miami Herbert Business School, to develop transformative scholarship and principled leaders for business and society, is even more important than ever, and our commitment to advance and shape healthcare for a better tomorrow continues.

For more information about the University of Miami Business School, visit

herbert.miami.edu



As Vice President of Operations for Holy Cross Medical Group, Teresa Deasy, R.N., BSN, M.S. helps lead a physician network of more than 200 providers serving communities across Broward County. Her responsibilities include patient access, network integrity, ambulatory growth, practice operations and oversight of key service lines. Deasy works closely with physicians, practice leaders and staff to strengthen the systems that support patient care, including recent and future growth efforts such as the opening of a new $41 million medical facility in Deerfield Beach, the development of a more than $57 million medical facility in Fort Lauderdale at Sunrise Blvd. and continued expansion of specialty services including ENT. A registered nurse with experience in both clinical care and health care administration, Deasy understands that expanding access to care is about making it easier for patients to get the care they need, close to home. She holds a Master of Science in Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nova Southeastern University.



Rita A. Bunch, MPH, FACHE, serves as chief operating officer at Memorial Regional Hospital, where she aligns teams and processes to deliver safe, seamless care across the organization. Partnering with leaders across the hospital, she focuses on improving patient flow, elevating quality and ensuring teams have the support they need to succeed.

Bunch believes exceptional healthcare leaders combine resilience with compassion, building trust through genuine relationships while guiding organizations through constant change. One lesson that continues to shape her leadership is the importance of balancing strength with humanity. “Allowing my team to see my humanness fosters trust and connection without diminishing confidence in my leadership,” Bunch said.

She strives to lead with clarity, purpose and heart, believing that when teams feel supported, patients receive the highest quality care. For Bunch, that commitment is reinforced each day by the simple truth that her team’s work changes lives.