Health Systems Management

Throughout their course of study, students are deeply involved in learning how to how to research, analyze and present materials to improve healthcare processes, including improving patient flow through facilities, decreasing lab work turnaround time, mitigating risks for patients and providers, and ensuring facilities meet government and system credentials to remain certified. This emphasis on research helps students become acquainted with specific healthcare terminology, rules and regulations, while also giving them the ability to develop their skills in the examination and synthesis of data.

Program faculty are actively involved in the wider health systems management community, keeping their knowledge of current technology and best practices in the clinical setting up-to-date and enabling them to pass this knowledge onto their students. Recently, faculty have attended and presented at conferences such as American Nurses Association’s Quality and Innovation Conference, the Global Nurse Education Conference and the Nuts and Bolts for Nurse Educators Conference.

Students in the health systems management major complete a 320 hour internship to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare environment. Students work with a mentor within the organization, as well as other professionals in related disciplines such as marketing, administration and human resources, to identify organizational needs and goals and work towards meeting them. Students have worked in quality improvement, data analysis, and project and event development. Internship locations have included Leading Healthcare of Louisiana in Lafayette, Lake Charles Memorial Health System, Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, The Children’s Clinic of SWLA, and Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana Housing & Direct Care Inc.