Philanthropic support from MHA alumni creates endowed distinguished chair

Thanks to the generosity of Mizzou Master of Health Administration alumni, an endowed faculty position long known as the “Wesbury Professorship” has been formally elevated to the Dr. Stuart A. Wesbury Jr. Distinguished Chair in Health Management.

While this might sound like a small change in title, it represents a major step forward for the MHA program. Endowed distinguished chairs provide permanent, reliable funding that enables universities like Mizzou to recruit and retain exceptional faculty leaders. These nationally recognized experts strengthen academic programs, expand research opportunities, mentor students and help shape the future of health care.

“This is an exciting development for the MHA program,” said Stephanie Reid-Arndt, dean of the Mizzou College of Health Sciences. “The Wesbury Jr. Distinguished Chair acknowledges the influential leadership and impact of former program director Stu Wesbury and will be used to recruit and hire an exceptional new faculty member into this important program.”

This milestone reflects the power of collective philanthropy and a shared commitment to advancing the legacy of the MHA program. Alumni support, led by a matching gift from Don Flora, was integral to transforming a longstanding vision into a lasting investment in faculty excellence and student success.

While the MHA program has had several great directors over its 60-plus-year history, Flora said none was more impactful than Wesbury and his efforts that “put the program on a trajectory that is being felt to this day.”

“It has been an honor to work with our outstanding alumni and the college to advance Dr. Wesbury’s work,” Flora said. “We hope the Dr. Stuart A. Wesbury Distinguished Chair in Health Management will inspire our students and graduates to imagine and lead the future of health care.”