Proud graduates. Healthcare leaders.

Graduate Success by the Numbers

An MHSc graduate and alumni survey conducted in 2008 validated the Health Administration program offering.

• 99% agree MHSc improved knowledge, skills and abilities in health management
• 84% agree MHSc helped them obtain a better career position
• 74% agree MHSc helped them obtain better pay
• 93% agree MHSc satisfied their need for professional development

Voice of MHSc Graduates

Health Administration graduates emerge with ‘real and meaningful changes’ to the way they work. Click on the two questions below to read how the MHSc experience has impacted these healthcare leaders..

MHSc 2004
Tariq Asmi, MA, MHSc, CHE

Vice President, Regional Services
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (formerly Whitby Mental Health Centre)

What were the most valuable components of the MHSc program for you?
The program provided a great overview of health administration and the key knowledge areas essential for being an effective administrator. From the new knowledge and insight I gained about leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development, I’m better able to create a vision for change, and more importantly, execute it. The modular format was tremendously valuable – it allowed me to transfer the classroom learning immediately to my workplace. Group projects offered an experience in team leadership and collaboration and reinforced the value of receptivity to diverse perspectives and the need for emotional intelligence. The practicum provided an opportunity to explore quality improvement and performance management in practice. I took risks I otherwise might not have which resulted in real and meaningful changes to how I now work. These experiences continue to serve me well.

What difference has the MHSc made to your career?
The MHSc program gave me the skills to work more effectively with others as well as to encourage others to grow and learn. Teams I am on now perform better and get better results (with a more positive and supportive work environment). Lastly and perhaps most important, I met many great people and made several excellent friends who are now peers and provide an indispensable network for professional advice and collaboration.

MHSc 2000
Patti Cochrane

Vice President, Patient Care Services, M Site Lead
Trillium Health Partners

What were the most valuable components of the MHSc program for you?
The MHSc Program at UofT is recognized as THE degree for future healthcare leaders. One of the most significant contributions is the lifelong network of people you grow with during the two years at school; graduate school teaches you how to work with a variety of personalities – a valuable lesson for the work place. Similarly, the valuable lessons we received in system improvement, quality and patient safety have been invaluable and continue to influence my thinking today. The emphasis on finance is also critical for clinically-trained individuals to allow them to advance to the senior table. A health care leader must know how to influence care delivery through financial allocation.

What difference has the MHSc made to your career?
I am convinced that you cannot be a formal leader beyond the manager level in today’s healthcare environment without a graduate degree like the MHSc. I believe I have this position as a direct result of learned expertise in quality, risk management, human resources and finance.

MHSc 2002
Andrea Cohen

CEO
Ontario Trillium Foundation

What were the most valuable components of the MHSc program for you?
The MHSc Program was one of the most valuable experiences in my career to date. The opportunity to study within a small group environment – not only with highly regarded faculty, but with a diverse and highly skilled group of peers – provided an opportunity to engage in both theoretical and problem-based learning. Most importantly, the program continues to reach out to graduates so that connections with the program can be life-long.

What difference has the MHSc made to your career?
Like many of my fellow students, the MHSc degree enabled me to secure a more senior position in healthcare and in a different sector. In fact, I was offered a position before I even finished. The program offers so much opportunity to explore different career paths and meet leaders in those sectors that can provide support and mentorship. More importantly, the degree is well-recognized in the field, which is an advantage when seeking out connections and opportunity.

MHSc 2005
Bernard Lawless, MD, MHSc, CHE, FRCSC

Trauma Surgeon, Critical Care Intensivist
St. Michael’s Hospital
Provincial Lead, Critical Care and Trauma
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

What were the most valuable components of the MHSc program for you?
From a physician’s perspective, the program really complimented my clinical training with the opportunity to learn more about how hospitals and aspects of the health care system are managed – learning management principles, budgets, HR issues, program implementation and evaluation.  A key area of interest for me is how health policy is developed, at various levels, and how clinicians can participate to help inform this process. Having instructors that actually work in this field was key to exploring and working in this area.

What difference has the MHSc made to your career?
The learning opportunities and networks developed through the IHPME program have definitely facilitated being able to do the work I’m involved with today. The opportunity to work at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care during my elective allowed me to participate in the policy development process. I learned practical skills as well as established an important network of other people with similar interests.