Faculty Specialist, Department of Health Administration/Human Resources
University of Scranton (Pa.)
Leaders operate in an “always on” communications environment that adds to the struggle to balance work and social responsibilities. Leaders need to master time to drive operational efficiency without sacrificing personal fulfillment.
There are two essential leadership characteristics that are closely related: the ability to think proactively and the willingness to take some risk. To be successful amidst constant change, we must anticipate what is coming next and make the necessary changes rather than waiting and reacting. Many times this requires risking a leap into the unknown. Timidity can get in the way of valuable learning opportunities. Organizations in dynamic industries with passive leadership are falling behind and may not be able to catch up.
In my early career, I was introduced to the idea of belonging to at least one, if not more, industry organizations. As my roles changed, I joined new organizations that helped me satisfy new professional needs. I try to emphasize to students the importance of belonging to and being active in professional organizations to assist with their development and grow their network. ACHE is a leader in providing development opportunities for executives and students alike, which is why I work closely with our ACHE Student chapter.
As faculty, we are able to leverage our professional networks to assist our students, who will be the leaders of tomorrow. We do this by inviting guest speakers, organizing residency and internship opportunities, and developing mentorship networks. By bringing together current and future healthcare leaders, we can show our students how theoretical models and approaches may apply to real-world industries and situations.
Chair, Academic Relations Committee, Eastern Pennsylvania Healthcare Executive Network
Program Director, Telehealth Intervention Programs for Seniors & Remote Older Adult Monitoring
Member, Professional Advisory Council, University of Scranton Health Informatics master’s program