The 2023 Master of Health Administration (MHA) Fall Institute was held Oct. 12-13 at the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia. The annual event brings alumni and students together to create lasting networks, providing a platform for health care professionals to connect with industry thought leaders and grow professionally.

A record number of graduates, students, alumni board members, faculty, staff and friends of the program attended this year’s Fall Institute, which was organized by the Health Management & Informatics Alumni Organization (HMIAO) Board.

Prior to the event, on Wednesday, HMIAO Board Communications Committee Chair Nic Keithley moderated an Early Careerist Panel that included alumni Molly Henn, David Meyerhoff and Caroline Maggio. The session highlighted several lessons, including the importance of being true to yourself, that mentorship is a two-way street, why culture is key, and the need to be intentional about where you want to work.

The Fall Institute formally began Thursday evening with a welcome reception and dinner. Attendees heard remarks from College of Health Sciences (CHS) Dean Kristofer Hagglund, MHA Program Director Sue Boren, HMIAO Board President Tim Kephart and CHS Advancement Director Michelle Custer. This was the first Fall Institute since the MHA program joined the CHS Department of Health Sciences.

During the evening program, several alumni nominees were recognized for HMIAO Fall Institute Alumni Awards. Alumni were nominated in the following categories:

• Early Careerist: Peter Dahu
• Outstanding Service (to HMI): Dexter D’Costa, Dillon Falk and Sue Boren
• Inspiring Woman: Lorie Thibodeaux
• Outstanding Mentor: Michelle McClay and Les Jebson
• Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion: Mikel Whittier and Mano Telikapalli

On Friday, alumni and students were able to attend networking sessions and gain insights from numerous presentations. Nine alumni volunteered their time and expertise to present on topics ranging from private equity and health care’s digital transformation to data governance and the overall state of the MHA program. A panel discussion featured alumni in executive roles — Andrew Hutson, Andrew Lovewell, Dan Vogel and Chris Wyatt — who spoke about their experiences as well as concerns that keep them awake at night.

Thanks to speakers Sue Boren, David Moxley, Mikel Whitter, Christy Harris Lemak, Bill Schneider, Andrew Lovewell and Dan Vogel for participating in this year’s Fall Institute. And a special thanks to Emmy Matthews, Dan Vogel, Curt Hohman, Alex Gill, Diki Lama, Kayla Anderson and the Department of Health Sciences for their assistance in planning the event.

View more Fall Institute photos.