Name: Elizabeth Grimes

Graduation Year: 2021

Before the MSHM Program, Elizabeth graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology, with minors in Spanish and Sociology. After the MSHM, she secured a second-year Administrative Fellow position at Indiana University Health, where she is currently serving as an interim Practice Administrator with the Department of Emergency Medicine, developing a plan to improve operations in IU Health West’s Emergency Department.

Q: What are your biggest takeaways from the program?

A: My biggest takeaways from the program are that effective communication builds relationships with your colleagues and leaders, data-driven reasoning is a keystone of decision-making, and let your authentic self shine professionally and personally.

Q: Is your current job directly related to your college major?

A: It is! Having a traditional life sciences background and knowing a second language and social sciences has helped me take a holistic approach to my current role. Having both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of my experience is beneficial.

Q: Do you feel our school adequately prepared you to find a job?

A: Absolutely! The O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Kelley School of Business prepared me to become a healthcare leader of the next generation. The rigorous coursework, real-world applications, and practicum experience are all examples of how students can become leaders and lifelong learners.

Q: Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?

A: Yes – demonstrating my mastery of Healthcare Literacy, Business Acumen, Problem Solving, Data and Analytics, Career Foresight, and Leadership Skills/Emotional Intelligence prepared me to become the healthcare leader I am today. I utilize these skills when leading teams, learning from my mentors, and beyond.

Q: Did you feel supported by the program faculty and staff?

A: I did feel supported, and I still do! In fact, during my Operations rotation in Bloomington, IN, I had the opportunity to catch up with Director Grudi this summer! I always appreciate any opportunity to give back to the MSHM program.

Q: What was your favorite part of the MSHM program?

A: My favorite part of the MSHM program was my practicum experience. I completed my practicum with IU Health’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Service, where I built a Monitoring and Evaluation Dashboard to aid in quantifying the team’s programming. I value this experience to this day, as it allowed me to apply what I had been learning in my coursework. I will always treasure the memories that I have with the team.

Q: Did you feel connected to your peers (in your cohort)?

A: I felt connected to my peers in my cohort and am still in touch with them. The cohort-based model of the MSHM program is very supportive of students’ growth and development. As someone learning about the competencies in a new way, building relationships with my classmates and learning from them was helpful.

Q: What is some advice you have for the next generation of MSHM students?

A: I encourage the next generation of MSHM students to cherish every experience that they have in the program, both individually and as a cohort. Leverage any opportunity you receive to continue learning, growing, and developing professionally and personally. Last but not least, have fun! Best of luck in the MSHM Program!

Q: Did you attend any events with alumni as a student, and did you find them helpful?

A: I attended webinars that the alums were a part of as a student. I found them helpful because I learned more about their academic and professional journeys. They shared insights that helped me know more about the opportunities that the MSHM program has with each cohort.

Q: What are some new industry trends we should prep our students for during the program?

A: Some new industry trends that the MSHM program should prepare students for are the financial challenges facing health systems and how leaders and teams can continue to be adaptable within those, length of stay in healthcare facilities, and how technology continues to evolve in healthcare.

 Q: What books are you reading right now?

A: The book I have most recently read is “The Remix: How To Lead and Succeed in The Multigenerational Workplace” by Lindsey Pollak. Given how the workplace spans a variety of ages and backgrounds today, I highly recommend this book to professionals of any age and experience level. The book provides excellent takeaways for being adaptable and leading in cross-functional and cross-generational teams.

Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn!