Florida International University’s Healthcare MBA program reached a new milestone in December 2014 with the graduation of its first fully online cohort.

 

The new online degree option opened the 18-month healthcare program to a wide geographic audience for the first time. In addition, it gave many South Florida healthcare professionals access to a high-quality educational program they could fit into a packed professional schedule.

 

That was the case for Vedner Guerrier, director of physician practices for the Memorial Cancer Institute at Memorial Hospital West, who had looked into the Healthcare MBA’s Saturday-only, in-person classes.

 

“I knew I wouldn’t have the luxury to give up every Saturday to attend class,” Guerrier said. “In October, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, I was responsible for 600 events, most during the weekends. With the online format, I was able to have more control over my schedule, and be better able to balance work and study.”

 

Nineteen students earned their MBAs through the program in its first online cohort. Program curriculum included three residencies, which offered team building seminars, networking workshops and career panel discussions. During residencies, students also had the opportunity to meet with industry leaders. Javier Hernandez-Litchl, CEO of West Kendall Baptist, was the guest speaker at the graduation dinner during their December 2014 residency. 

 

Assistant Professor Min Chen, who teaches health economics and health policy in the HCMBA program, found that online technologies created new opportunities to engage students. “Through our web conferencing platform, students could practice, record and play back their group presentations,” said Chen. “The online forums were just as lively as traditional classroom discussions, with real-world topics that included how to improve policy about the handling of Ebola cases.”

 

Guerrier, who has worked in healthcare for 18 years, and as a leader for 10, has already put into practice much of what he learned in the HCMBA program.

 

“I know for a fact that I will use Lean Six Sigma, the collaborative methodology for streamlining business processes,” he added. “Right now, I’m working to improve throughput times in the radiation department.”

 

What guidance would Guerrier give to a healthcare professional considering an online program? “You really need excellent time management skills. There is freedom and flexibility, but you also work on group projects, so the ability to collaborate is essential,” he said.

 

Faculty member Chen pointed out that while the healthcare and business knowledge that students gain is important, “the critical thinking and leadership skills are just as valuable. Our HCMBA graduates are well-positioned for future success.”