As a practice manager for Northeast Indiana Urology in Fort Wayne, Barney Niezer, MHA’83 has never relied on the study skills he gained as a graduate student at Indiana University more than he does now.
“In graduate school, I learned to think critically, and I learned how to learn,” Nieser said. “Those skills help in a situation like this. It helps you evaluate the situation from a strategic standpoint, and understand how to do the different analyses and weigh options.”
Niezer said the number of resources available to him regarding COVID-19 can sometimes seem overwhelming and redundant. “I’ve noticed on the Fairbanks website the sources the school links to are all credible. They are well-known sources you can rely on. I hope students seek out those credible sources, but also seek the information which is most relevant for them. For instance, my professional specialty provides great information.”
Niezer credits the IU Master of Health Administration program for providing more than just study skills. “This pandemic has caused many of us to make many moral and ethical decisions. These decisions impact individual’s livelihoods. The IU MHA program is well-grounded in good moral and ethical judgment. I came away understanding that when you are managing a healthcare practice, it’s not about the all mighty dollar. My education helped me understand more than the financial side; it helped me understand how each decision impacts individuals.”
While COVID-19 has caused Barney’s job to become busier and more challenging, it has also reinforced his belief in building strong networks. “This pandemic is a unique situation that we have never dealt with before. We are spending our time learning from others to provide the best care we can.”
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a myriad of public health efforts that can easily go unnoticed. If you have volunteered, worked on a project, conducted research, or completed any unique effort related to COVID-19, and would like to share it with the Fairbanks School of Public Health, we would love to hear from you.
The impact you make goes far and can inspire others!
Leave a Reply