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About Sue Brissette
Expertise
I can answer questions about types of healthcare, healthcare institutions, healthcare delivery systems, insurance types, national healthcare issues. I can't answer questions about specific medical billing issues or medical problems.

Experience
I spent 12 years as a hospital administrator, including roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer during my 30 year career as a healthcare executive. I spent 9 years as an executive in a national healthcare management company and now run a healthcare consulting business.

Publications
Group Practice Management Journal Health Information Management Journal Southern California Physician www.healthworldnet.com

Education/Credentials
B.S. Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA M.S. Health Policy & Management, Harvard School of Public Health

Past/Present Clients
Cardiovascular Associates of the Virgin Islands MedQuest Ultimate Transition Fitness Emeryville Medical Groups Occupational Medical centers PeopleCARE Intivia Healthworldnet ESources AussieMed MedCARE Nereus Medical International Hayes Consulting Sohnar ConceptShare

You are here: Experts > Industry > Hospital Administration > Health Care Industry > MHSA/MPH options

Health Care Industry - MHSA/MPH options

Expert: Sue Brissette - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Sue,

Thanks for reading my question.

I have spent four (fairly unhappy) years in the field of sales/recruiting services. I am making the leap to change my career and am pursuing a dual MHSA/MPH. This change is with the hopes that I may positively affect lives by utilizing my leadership abilities. I have applied to a program which I feel is promising- Barry University in Miami FL. I would love your opinion as well. :)

I truly want to "make a difference" as cliche as that may sound. I know there are many options within healthcare administration/public health. Given my intentions, which area would you suggest working in? I have been looking into nonprofit work but I have not had any interaction with the environment. I have applications pending to volunteer positions, but in the meantime would you mind giving me your opinion as to what areas you think I should look into? Not sure if it matters but my undergraduate major was Psychology.

I sincerely appreciate your time and assistance!!!

Respectfully,
Megan

ANSWER: Hello and thank you, thank you, thank you!

Your ambition is not cliche, it's terrific! I find it it personally discouraging to receive a dozen questions a week from people who want to know how much money they can make as a hospital administrator and nothing more. I'm delighted that your motivation is broader.

Barry University looks excellent, based on its faculty and curriculum; it's a good choice.

It's hard to answer your question because you really can make a difference anywhere in healthcare - it depends on what you will be happy doing.

Hospitals can feel very much like big business. While you are certainly providing a place for people to receive care, your day may be so tied up with meetings re insurance, personnel problems and doctor issues that it doesn't feel like anything very noble, even though it truly is. You need to want to be a problem solver and have strong internal fortitude because you will always be in the midst of conflict.

It's a bit easier to feel connected in smaller organization such as home health agencies, hospices, clinics, etc. but their stability is usually in constant challenge so it's a rocky ride.

I guess it makes the most sense to think about just exactly what would make you feel satisfied that you did something meaningful and then look to that part of healthcare.

I was a hospital administrator. When I was sick to death of meetings or insurers or crazy doctors or silly union rules or petty squabbles among power seekers (and on and on...) I would go to the ER and sit in the waiting room and talk to people - it would help me remember why I was there and it always worked.

Best of luck and thanks for making my day!

Sue

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Sue,

Thank you so much!!!

It is SO great to hear that there is a happy professional in the field who is a similar bread to myself. I can definitely see myself talking to people in the ER to refresh my memory %26 purpose!!

As I indicated before, I got into my current field to "help people" with their careers. Once I was submersed into the business, I realized that my goals were very different than the common goal. In an effort to prevent this again, I just want to take the proper steps and learn as much as possible.

Of course I will take your advice and think about a certain area, pursue that and see what happens. I sincerely love listening or providing guidance when others won't, and providing/improving care above and beyond what is required. Would you say that the first step is to just volunteer in any area of a hospital? Is there a specific area you feel I should target? I am attempting to create some sort of game plan.

I am so grateful for your time and opinion. This has been challenging to figure out. :) Please know your advice is very appreciated.

Thanks again %26 have a great day!

Megan Madge

Answer
Hi,

It would be best to try to get involved with an area that provides an overview of the hospital. Those areas are quality improvement, risk management, accreditation and patient advocacy. I'm not sure how you can get involved but those are the places to shoot for. I would say that patient advocacy is the most likely way to fit in before you have training or other experience. There may be volunteer patient advocates - that would be good.

Good luck!

Sue

Thanks for the glowing review!!!! Made my day!!!

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