When Master of Health Administration student Leslee Milby was young, she was often told she could become a doctor, nurse, lawyer, teacher, or police officer when she grew up.
So, when it came time to select a major as she entered college, Milby chose biology-chemistry so that she could go to medical school after graduation. But that didn’t last long.
“I failed out of college my freshman year and quickly learned that being a doctor or nurse was not in the cards for me,” Milby said.
She then took what she thought was going to be a permanent break from school to enter the workforce so that she could support herself, finding an entry level position scribing for an ophthalmologist. Shortly after starting that scribe position, Milby came to the realization that health care was where she belonged.
“I enjoyed assisting the physicians and interacting with the patients,” she said. “I felt a great sense of accomplishment knowing that we were making a difference in our patients’ lives, even if I only had a small part in the process.”
This sense of accomplishment triggered motivation within her to explore more career opportunities within health care. Milby would find a new position as a clinical research coordinator, but she understood that if she ever wanted to explore more career opportunities, she was going to have to go back to school.
She entered the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program at Purdue University and enrolled in it to broaden her knowledge of health care. Shortly after graduating from Purdue, Milby joined the Master of Health Administration program at the Fairbanks School of Public Health.
“Although I failed early on in my educational journey, I took my experience as a learning opportunity,” Milby said. “I found what I was passionate about and set goals to achieve them. I may not have taken the straightest path to get to where I am, but I am glad that it is the path I took.
“I would not go back and change a thing because if I did, I may not have ever realized that I have a future as a health care administrator.”
Milby has thrived during her short time as a master’s student at the Fairbanks School of Public Health, including being accepted into the Eskenazi Health Scholars program, which offers dual degree MHA/MPH students a generous scholarship and the unique opportunity for hands-on training in the health system.
“I feel like the opportunities will be endless once I have my MHA,” Milby said. “I do know that I will take what I have learned during this program and apply it to a health care system that is making a difference in the health of patients that they are serving.”
She was also recently announced as the 20th recipient of the Bachrach Family Scholarship of Excellence in Healthcare Administration for her excellent leadership qualities, academic achievements, and community involvement.
So, what’s next?
“I love health care as a whole and I want to do it all,” Milby said.
She recently accepted a position as a full-time Administrator in Training (AIT) with Hoosier Village, a senior living community in Zionsville, Indiana.
Well done, Leslee. We look forward to seeing all the many great things you will accomplish in the world of health administration.
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