HAP Students

Transforming learning into practice during Inova Fairfax Trauma Center visit

hcarrol4 — Fri, 09 May 2025 16:55:12 +0000

Transforming learning into practice during Inova Fairfax Trauma Center visit hcarrol4 Fri, 05/09/2025 - 12:55

Aspiring health care leaders get vivid lesson on the role of leadership in trauma care

Students in George Mason University’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program recently had an unforgettable opportunity to step into the heart of one of Northern Virginia’s premier emergency care facilities. MHA students from change management and strategic planning classes class visited Inova Fairfax Hospital’s state-of-the-art trauma center, gaining firsthand insight into how top-tier health care organizations operate at the intersection of clinical urgency and administrative excellence.

College of Public Health students learn at Inova Fairfax Hospital
Photo by Michelle Thompson/College of Public Health

This visit was much more than a tour—it was a vivid demonstration of how George Mason’s MHA program prepares future leaders for complex, high-stakes environments. The experience underscored three key themes: the transformative education George Mason provides, the powerful partnership with Inova Health System, and the inspiring potential of George Mason’s future health care leaders.

Translating classroom learning to real-world practice

For Vinay Bhakthan, who will graduate in spring 2026 from the Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s program, the visit was eye-opening. “From coordinating nurse staffing levels and ensuring patient bed availability, to triaging critical cases to trauma rooms and overseeing room turnover after discharges, all while making sure the emergency department is following all regulations and organization policies is an immense task. Seeing these things in person gave me a clear perspective about the realities of the job,” said Bhakthan.

Similarly, Pratyusha Satpathy, who will graduate in December 2026, found herself connecting academic concepts to operational excellence. “This visit brought many classroom concepts to life,” she said. “It also reminded me how essential leadership is in shaping an environment where clinicians can focus on patients while everything else runs smoothly in the background. Everything was thoughtfully planned out—from how easily accessible supplies were, to how rooms could transition into emergency pods instantly with oxygen and suction systems already in place. It really showed how administrators are not only managing systems but enabling life-saving care through intentional design and coordination.”

For Taveion Mickens, the visit bridged his growing academic knowledge with the emotional reality of health care leadership. Mickens, a United States Marine, will graduate from the Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s program in December 2026. “Seeing administrators lead with both precision and empathy reinforced how indispensable they are in creating an environment where health care professionals can thrive and patients can receive timely, quality care. Emergencies don’t follow a script leaders must be able to pivot quickly and make informed decisions under pressure. Communication becomes a lifeline, not just between staff, but also with patients and families who may be in crisis. Most importantly, empathy must guide every decision. When administrators lead with compassion, they uplift both their teams and the patients they serve,” said Mickens.

A strong partnership with Inova Health System

MHA students tour Inova Fairfax's trauma center
Photo by Michelle Thompson/College of Public Health

The tour also spotlights George Mason’s longstanding relationship with Inova. Through access to real-world settings like Inova Fairfax’s trauma center, George Mason students experience how leading health care organizations integrate systems thinking, workforce management, quality assurance, and emergency preparedness into seamless patient care.

“As a former trauma nurse, I know the value of exposing graduate students to the world of health care beyond the walls of a classroom and textbooks. My hope is that students who seek an MHA degree will become leaders that are consistently engaged with clinicians and staff as patient care partners, rather than detached bystanders. There is simply no substitute for being present,” said Professor Brenda Helen Sheingold, PhD, RN, FNAP said division director of Health Administration Programs and an associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy.

The Inova trauma center’s forward-thinking infrastructure—emergency pods, integrated technology systems, and strategically organized resources—left a lasting impression on the students. It demonstrated how thoughtful administrative planning directly enhances clinical outcomes and staff resilience, particularly in high-pressure emergency environments.

Inspiring the next generation of health care leaders

Each of the three students came away with renewed passion and clarity for their future careers. Bhakthan, who is motivated by the desire to solve health care’s systemic challenges, affirmed that the visit “strengthened [his] commitment to being part of the solutions” in health care administration.

Satpathy, who blends a clinical background as a doctor with administrative aspirations, left the visit feeling more empowered: “As someone who trained in medicine before coming to the U.S... I want to build environments that make health care safer, smoother, and more responsive.”

For Mickens, whose goal is to lead change in underserved communities, the experience provided both affirmation and inspiration. “This visit didn’t just confirm my career goals; it gave them new direction and deeper purpose,” he said.

Thanks to the immersive experiences provided through the College of Public Health’s MHA program—and strong partners like Inova Health System—students are graduating ready to lead the future of health care, not just react to it. For these aspiring health care leaders, the trauma center visit wasn’t just an assignment. It was a vivid reminder of the critical role administrators play in ensuring every life-saving second counts.

From left, MHA students Vinay Bhakthan, Pratyusha Satpathy, Taveion Mickens

Learn More About Our Health Administrations Programs

Students Experience the Pitt—A Real-World Trauma Center

For fans of the hit medical drama The Pitt on Max, the high-stakes, fast-paced world of trauma care is both riveting and emotionally charged. But for three George Mason University Master of Health Administration (MHA) students, a recent visit to Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Trauma Center offered a firsthand look at the real-life complexities behind the scenes—where administrators play a crucial role in orchestrating life-saving care.

Inova Fairfax Hospital houses Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, a designation it has held since 1983. This elite status signifies the hospital's ability to provide the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients, with a multidisciplinary team available 24/7. The center treats a wide range of critical injuries, from car crashes and falls to industrial incidents and acts of violence.

For MHA students Vinay Bhakthan, Pratyusha Satpathy, and Taveion Mickens, the visit to Inova's Trauma Center was more than an educational tour—it was a transformative experience that bridged classroom learning with real-world application.

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In the George

NewsDirectory3 (George Mason newsdesk pickup): Janusz Wojtusiak and students represent College of Public Health at American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 2024 Annual Symposium

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:05:27 +0000

NewsDirectory3 (George Mason newsdesk pickup): Janusz Wojtusiak and students represent College of Public Health at American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 2024 Annual Symposium Taylor Thomas Mon, 12/09/2024 - 10:05

In This Story

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

George Mason University Shines at AMIA 2024 Symposium: Highlighting Health Informatics Research.

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cph in the media

CPH students receive funding as part of George Mason’s Doctoral Research Scholars

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:38:41 +0000

CPH students receive funding as part of George Mason’s Doctoral Research Scholars Taylor Thomas Mon, 07/29/2024 - 12:38

Six College of Public Health doctoral students have been accepted into Mason’s Doctoral Research Scholars program and will receive funding for the 2024-25 school year – one from Health Administration and Policy (HAP), and five from Global and Community Health (GCH).

The Mason Doctoral Research Scholars program provides funding to awardees both full- and part-time, offering up to full tuition coverage and stipends up to $25,000. The program allows graduate students to advance their research without worrying about funding their work through outside sources.

“This grant will be crucial in helping me complete my dissertation,” said Amara F. Orji, PhD in Public Health student and Doctoral Research Scholars recipient.

Grace Nyambura, also a PhD in Public Health student and Doctoral Research Scholars recipient, agreed: “Receiving this dissertation scholarship has greatly reduced my financial burden, allowing me to concentrate wholeheartedly on my dissertation.”

Congratulations to the following CPH students in the Doctoral Research Scholars 2024-25 program:

Carolyn Faith Hoffman (PhD in Health Services Research)

Dissertation: “Examining Health Care Disparities and Lived Experiences of Individuals Diagnosed with Endometriosis in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Approach”

Julia Mandeville (PhD in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Dissertation: Mixed methods analysis of endometriosis and uterine fibroids on the quality of life of Barbadian women. Specifically: (1) the association between adverse obstetric outcomes and endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids in Barbadian women (2) the association between mental health outcomes and stigma in Barbadian women who have endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids and (3) how these experiences with adverse obstetric outcomes and infertility are perceived and the impact on Barbadian women who have endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids.

Joanna Marroquin (PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology)

Dissertation: How per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affect reproductive health and what role menstruation plays in the excretion of these substances.

Grace Nyambura (PhD in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Dissertation: “Refugee Mental Health: Social Support and Mental Health Outcomes of Emerging Adults from the Democratic Republic of Congo”

Amara F. Orji (PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology)

Dissertation: “An Intersectional Approach to Understanding the Impact of Marginalized Identities on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Outcome”

Cheyu Sarah Zhang (PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology)

Dissertation: “How do disability and infertility affect intimate partner violence (IPV) and IPV acceptance among communities and individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)?”

Learn more about the PhD in Public Health program.

Learn more about the PhD in Health Services Research program.

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The Cannata Report: Mason featured in article for being recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education for developing and hosting case competitions

Taylor Thomas — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 16:23:31 +0000

The Cannata Report: Mason featured in article for being recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education for developing and hosting case competitions Taylor Thomas Fri, 01/19/2024 - 11:23

In This Story

Brenda Helen Sheingold, PhD, RN, FNAP

George Mason University Develops and Hosts Case Competition For Select CAHME-Accredited Programs. Also in What They Think and Industry Analysts, Inc.

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Master of Health Administration

HAP Students

Healthcare Education

cph in the media

MHA students experience policymaking in action

Taylor Thomas — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:03:09 +0000

MHA students experience policymaking in action Taylor Thomas Tue, 12/12/2023 - 11:03

In This Story

Brenda Helen Sheingold, PhD, RN, FNAP

Graduate students enrolled in HAP 704 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare took a trip to Capitol Hill, getting the unique experience of witnessing Health and Human Services (HHS) policy experts present on the latest evidence-based legislation being passed. The trip, facilitated by Associate Professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy Brenda Helen Sheingold, presented diverse policy topics that are highly relevant to current public health challenges.

“This face-to-face opportunity allowed master's in health systems management (MHA) students to explore current policy issues on a deeper level and ask questions to researchers directly. The visit enhanced their understanding beyond the walls of conventional classrooms in higher education,” said Sheingold, who is also the director of the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).

Students listened to professionals from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). Topics included policy evaluation, maternal and child health, updated telehealth services, racial and ethnic equity, health care delivery, and social determinants of health.

Speakers included

Nancy DeLew, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Policy
Joel Ruhter, ASPE Analyst
Bisma Sayed, ASPE Health Economist
Steve Sheingold, Director of the Division of Health Care Financing Policy
Lok Samson, Health Policy Analyst, ASPE Office of Health Policy
Lanlan Xu, ASPE Public Health Advisor
Rachael Zuckerman, Social Science Analyst in the Division of Health Financing Policy, Office of Health Policy
Audrey McDowell, ASPE Manager and Program Analyst

In addition to domestic perspectives, speakers delved into the intricacies of international collaborations and global health laws.

“It was exciting to hear about how my country, Saudi Arabia, is working closely with the U.S. on the value-based approach to health care,” said Nayrooz Almansour, a student of Sheingold’s expected to graduate in the coming year.

The trip proved not only educational but also enlightening for students’ future career aspirations.

“Before the field trip, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do but this experience changed that. After, it has come to my attention that I think I see a future career for myself with HHS. Overall, I think this field trip was useful and helpful as it gave me a better idea of what kind of work I want to do in the future,” said Minnie Pham, another student and expected 2024 graduate.

Mason’s MHA in health systems management prepares future executives to assume leadership positions in health care organizations. Program courses and additional opportunities, such as interacting with federal lawmakers, allow students to graduate with intimate knowledge of the evolving health care system and health care management.

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Health Services Research PhD student named AcademyHealth Diversity Scholar

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 10 May 2023 21:06:12 +0000

Health Services Research PhD student named AcademyHealth Diversity Scholar Mary Cunningham Wed, 05/10/2023 - 17:06

Former clinician and hospital chaplain, Arion M. Lillard-Green, seeks to shape health policy for equitable end-of-life care

Arion M. Lillard-Green, a health services research doctoral student at George Mason University, has been named an AcademyHealth Diversity Scholar. The program supports the professional development of underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups in the field of health services research. Mentoring is a core component of the program.

“I value the mentorship that the program brings and wanted to experience being among thought leaders. I also look for opportunities to bring awareness to the need for more research in hospice and palliative care sector,” said Lillard-Green.

With her PhD and through her research, Lillard-Green wants to inform health policy that impacts equitable end-of-life care for persons with life-limiting illnesses and those who care for them. Her research interests are access to care, health disparities and inequities, value-based care and insurance design, quality measurement, and organization performance in hospice and palliative care.

“Prior to embarking on this researcher journey, I worked in end-of-life care for 17 years as a hospice chaplain. Throughout my career, I have observed stark disparities in access to and quality of palliative care. Experiences as a clinician at the bedside of patients and families have given me insight into gaps in knowledge as well as inspiration to keep hospice and palliative care moving forward as the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve,” said Lillard-Green.

Through the program, Lillard-Green will also attend AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting and be matched with an expert with similar research interests for professional development.

Lillard-Green received her Master of Health Administration from Mason in 2020. She also holds a Master of Theological Studies from Christian Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Indiana University (Bloomington). Prior to her health services research program, she worked with an interdisciplinary team as a hospice chaplain to serve patients at the end-of-life while supporting their families and caregivers in urban and rural areas. She has collaborated with national and local organizations dedicated to overcoming industry challenges in hospice and palliative care.

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