Over the coming weeks you will meet some of our alumni and learn about the important work they are doing to create a healthier nation and world.
Katie Krivacs
Employer: University Hospitals
Current position: Administrative Fellow
Location: Cleveland, OH
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Biology: Denison University 2018; Master in Health Administration: IUPUI 2021
Why did you choose your major/program?
What set IUPUI’s program apart for me was twofold. First I loved the emphasis of the practical application of the theory we learned in the classroom, and secondly I was drawn by the engagement of the professors in and outside of the classroom. Many of them currently work in the field or have in the past.
This provided students with relevant insight into what is currently taking place in the healthcare space while also preparing us for what the future of healthcare may look like. I felt like faculty and staff went above and beyond to help students discover and refine their interests, and help with job placement after the program.
Healthcare is such an exciting and dynamic field and I felt the program continuously adjusted the curriculum to mirror what is currently happening in the healthcare landscape. I felt well prepared entering a fellowship after this program.
Briefly describe your career path.
I took a bit of a circuitous path to get to my current role. For the longest time I thought my passion and purpose aligned with direct patient care. However, after working in several roles, I found that I did not believe this was the route for me long term, but during these experiences I was intrigued to understand how the organizations were run.
I was lucky enough to talk to a few people in administrative roles and was enticed by the fast-paced, diverse, and challenging nature of their work day to day. That is when I found the MHA program and I couldn’t be more content with my decision to shift career paths.
There are so many opportunities in healthcare with an MHA degree. Currently I work as an administrative fellow at University Hospitals in Cleveland, and am continuing to learn about the breadth and depth of healthcare operations.
In five sentences or less, describe what an average day for you might be like.
My average day consists of a couple hours answering emails, a few meetings, and project work. What I enjoy the most is working alongside a diverse group of team members and the collaboration needed to discover potential solutions to complex problems. No day looks the same!
What advice would you give your college self about pursuing work in your current industry?
Healthcare is going to be challenging, and you are going to fail along the way. It is a very exciting and dynamic field with tons of different opportunities and try not to be overwhelmed by that. There is a place for everyone at the table, and let your voice be heard. Working in healthcare provides a lot of fulfillment and purpose.
What is a lesson learned at FSPH that you have been able to apply to your career?
I believe the greatest lesson that I learned throughout the MHA program was how to engage with different types of stakeholders in and outside of the organization. The importance of the people and relational aspect cannot be understated. If you don’t have the foundational respect and trust for one another it is going to be really difficult to accomplish anything. I have been able to use this still when fostering relationships with all different types of team members.
What is the most significant thing that’s happened to you since graduating?
Moving to Cleveland 🙂
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What’s next for you?
A lot can happen in 10 years! I am not entirely sure where I see myself in 10 years, but I do know that I want to continue to learn and make an impact in any way that I can. An area of high interest and passion of mine is community health and population health, so probably something impacting that space. I have been so lucky to have wonderful mentors both inside and outside the MHA program, and I certainly want to become a mentor for others who decide to pursue a career in this field.
What is your favorite IUPUI/FSPH memory?
One of my favorite memories was attending the MHA program’s 50th anniversary. It was so fun to engage with alumni from various decades of the program and hear about their career journeys. I also enjoyed hearing about and seeing the lasting relationships they have with one another.
Leave a Reply