February 19, 2014

Students at the College of Nursing and Health Professions regularly demonstrate how caring they are. Not only do they care about the academic excellence, but they also care about helping their peers to succeed. Senior Health Services Administration (HSAD) Program students Jane Lee and Mahawa Kpada are prime examples. Lee and Kpada are responsible for the creation of The College of Nursing and Health Professions’ first student-led organization designed to serve as a support system for undergraduate HSAD students, called the Society of Future Health Administrators. Kpada currently serves as president, Lee as vice-president.

“I noticed there was a graduate club for Health Management and Policy students, and I felt that undergraduate health management students weren’t represented properly,” explained Lee. “HSAD students needed a resourse for networking and opportunities.”  Lee, currently a volunteer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as well as a Patient Service Specialist at Novacare, has held numerous work positions during her time as a Drexel student. As a result, her mission as a student leader became to provide undergraduate HSAD students with opportunities for experience in the field.

For Kpada, developing a new student organization from the ground up could not have been easily accomplished without the resources and expertise of HSAD Program faculty members like Michelle Sahl, PhD, an assistant teaching professor in the department. “Sahl was a real inspiration to me. She has served as a mentor for this organization since the beginning and continues to help us in anything we may need.”

 “Sahl mandated that we attend a Healthcare Leadership of the Delaware Valley networking event for class. As a result, I have been going to networking events ever since and have met numerous professionals in the field,” Lee added. “This was an opportunity that I felt all HSAD majors deserved.”

The new Society of Future Health Administrators is the process of planning several upcoming events. Although Lee and Kpada started the organization with the needs of HSAD students in mind, undergraduates of any major are encouraged to join the club and get more involved in the spirit of interdisciplinary partnership. “Our main focus is on networking and academic excellence in healthcare administration. We want to hit the ground running and help give HSAD students numerous opportunities for volunteering and internships that can serve helpful once graduation comes,” explained Kpada.

“My job is to really form a strong identity among HSAD majors. I want students to bond with each other, and to share great opportunities that may be available in the field. The HSAD Department really wants to see their students succeed,” said Lee.

As seniors, both Lee and Kpada are starting to think about what lies ahead post-graduation. Lee plans to use contacts she made during her co-op to secure a job after graduation and also plans to pursue an MBA degree. Kpada has used her experience through the HSAD internship program to find work in the Orthopedic Department at Hahnehmann Hopsital. She hopes to attend an MPH program in the future.