On April 27, 2023, the graduating UF MHA Class of 2023 participated in the first Hooding and Awards Ceremony for the UF MHA program.
Hoods were bestowed by Dr. R. Paul Duncan, Professor Emeritus, from the Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, and UF MHA alum Lonn McDowell, Vice Chair and Director of Administration for the UF Department of Surgery, to signify the successful completion of the Master of Health Administration program.
The hooding, an additional event to the spring commencement ceremony, helps students, faculty, and family to commemorate the degree and to celebrate in a more intimate setting surrounded by fellow classmates, departmental faculty, program alumni, family, and friends.
In addition to the traditional hooding, several UF MHA students received departmental recognition, awarded by Dr. Lee Revere, Chair of the Department:
Shirley Dohuu, Erica Elwood, Valentina Eslava and Chloe Schlitt were presented with certificates recognizing their membership in the Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society;
Erica Elwood and Shirley Dohuu also received the Outstanding Student Award;
Marissa Blair was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award and Makenna Slack received the Distinguished Graduate award.
Dr. Duncan addressed the UF MHA Class of 2023 as the keynote speaker for the event, reminding them that “[they] are entering a noble profession whereby [they] will assist people at their most vulnerable.”
The UF MHA program operates exclusively in a cohort model which emphasizes data-driven problem solving within the classroom as well as in a practice environment.
“Due to its experiential learning requirements,” Duncan mentioned, “it is a program that teaches you to adapt when all technique become obsolete. It is the abstract ‘stuff’ which will provide the ability and thoughtfulness to solve problems in two decades that you can’t even envision today.”
Congratulations to the UF MHA Class of 2023! Echoing Dr. Duncan, “You likely have learned more than you think you have learned. You are ready.”
