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Originally from New York, Lara (Borg) Conner worked as an occupational therapist at Stony Brook Hospital, having spent several years as a clinician. Though she enjoyed her role, Conner wanted to expand her career and explore new opportunities within the healthcare sector. She realised that as an occupational therapist, her unique perspective could contribute meaningfully to the administration of healthcare institutions. This led her to pursue a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree at Stony Brook University (SBU).
“I loved that the MHA programme was accepting of many different backgrounds, and I feel this provided a well-rounded experience,” she says. “SBU has always been a highly regarded institution in the healthcare field, especially being attached to and affiliated with the hospital, which is a Level I trauma centre and a certified comprehensive stroke centre.”
SBU is widely known for its excellence in healthcare education. A member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), it ranks among the top 35 public universities in the nation. Its health-related programmes also stand out, with its public health programme ranked 35th nationally and its Health Care Management Programme ranked 60th by US News & World Report. The MHA programme is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and is part of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Higher Education Network (HEN) and the Association of University Programmes in Health Administration (AUPHA).
What Conner appreciated most about the programme was its fully online and asynchronous structure. When she began the MHA, she was based in New York. Halfway through, when she moved to Florida, she continued her classes seamlessly.
But even before Conner moved states, she was already meeting people from all over the US through her classes.
“I felt it was beneficial to have classmates from other regions because it helps to give a more global perspective of healthcare policy initiatives and systems outside the small bubble of Suffolk County, NY,” she says. “I had a classmate from Alaska who brought a great perspective of healthcare delivery in a rural community.” Lara (Borg) Conner found the Strategic Planning course memorable, with the professor sharing his hospital administrator experience.
Conner found the Strategic Planning course memorable, with the professor sharing his hospital administrator experience. Source: Stony Brook University
The MHA curriculum combines a strong foundation in business principles with specialised healthcare administration knowledge. It offers courses in leadership, financial management, and strategic planning, which helped Conner and her peers build decision-making skills. Specialised topics such as healthcare informatics and policy shaped their understanding of the challenges specific to healthcare administration. The programme culminates in integrative experiences and capstone courses, preparing students for leadership roles in healthcare management.
Graduates of the MHA programme have held various positions in the healthcare field, such as Director of Ambulatory Operations, Integration Services Manager, Physician Practice Office Manager, and Quality Operations Specialist.
This is made possible — in addition to the excellent curriculum — by the distinguished faculty members who use their real-world experience in health administration to provide students with specialised yet complementary insights. Just ask Alexa Christophides, Class of 2022.
“One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was the accessibility of faculty members, many of whom brought extensive real-world experience from various healthcare sectors,” she says. “Their insights helped bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing tangible examples of how health administration principles are applied in
different settings. Their mentorship and guidance also played a key role in shaping my career trajectory.” The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education accreditation and the programme’s strong ranking by US News played a significant role in Alexa Christophides’s decision to enroll at SBU.
Source: Stony Brook University
Christophides, who completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at SBU, found the MHA programme vital for her career advancement. “It has allowed me to transition to a new institution where I can further apply my expertise,” she says. “The knowledge and skills I gained from the programme positioned me for continued growth, giving me the confidence to take on greater responsibilities in research coordination, quality improvement, and patient care initiatives.”
Conner believes this is due, in no small part, to the dedication of professors and staff. “Anytime I ever needed assistance outside of class time, I was always able to get in contact with my instructors,” she says. “They do a great job of making themselves available to assist if needed. I also feel the real-world expertise was a great supplement to traditional didactic material. It is one thing to read about theories and strategies in a textbook, but to hear how these concepts are put into real-life practice provides great context for a better understanding of the material.”
Even though the programme is entirely online, it encourages engagement through discussion boards, group projects, and virtual meetings. These components promote collaboration and interaction among classmates, which is especially valuable in an online learning environment. The programme includes unique engagement methods, such as using outside media like VoiceThread, where students can submit assignments through video or audio clips.
“These interactive components helped foster collaboration and allowed students to build meaningful connections with classmates from diverse backgrounds,” Christophides says. “As with any online programme, it is what you make of it. The shared discussions also provided unique perspectives on healthcare challenges, enriching the learning experience.”
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