Endowed funds will expand program’s national visibility
College of Public Health’s Master of Health Administration alumni Bill Considine ’71, Mark Neaman ‘74 and Ned Zechman ‘74 have pledged a collective $350,000 to support student professional development, creating a permanent source of funds for MHA students to attend conferences and case competitions, and seek other opportunities for networking and career growth.
“These gifts will transform the student experience and increase our program’s presence across the country. The generosity of these health care trailblazers will provide future generations with the tools needed to chart their own paths in the health care sector,” said Aram Dobalian, associate dean of graduate studies and division chair of health services management and policy.
The new fund has made an immediate impact on MHA students and is “an exceptional way to kick off the tenure of Kelly Scheiderer, our fantastic new program director,” said Interim Dean Karla Zadnik.
Scheiderer, a two-time Ohio State graduate including an MHA, took on the role of program director in January and lauded the trio’s generosity and commitment to MHA students.
“These alumni have addressed a critical need within our program,” Scheiderer said. “Knowing we’ll have dollars devoted to these opportunities from this day forward is a huge win and will strengthen our ability to recruit and support students throughout their educational experience.”
Neaman, a former chairman of the American College of Healthcare Executives, said: “Learning how to network, think critically and work in teams are foundational components of an education in health administration. But the costs associated with conference attendance, travel, lodging – they add up.”
“When a prospective student comes to Ohio State, we want them to see that they will be supported every step of the way in and outside of the classroom,” he added.
The new funds have already helped send four students to the UCLA Center for Healthcare Management Case Competition to compete and network with programs across the country.
“Their impressive third place finish is a testament to the fact that Ohio State MHA students belong at these events,” Scheiderer stated.
Considine made his gift in honor of his Class of 1971, the MHA program’s first graduating class.
“From the very beginning, our class recognized the critical role alumni needed to play for our program to thrive,” he said. “The MHA program set the foundation for our careers, and I think it is our duty to pay it forward to the next generation of health care leaders.”
MHA alumni have a strong history of supporting the college’s needs to enhance student experience and build on the program’s strengths.
“With an outstanding new leader taking the helm of our program, we want Kelly to know that we’re as invested as ever to continue this program’s rich history,” Zechman said.
“When the program came to us with this need to ensure every student has the opportunity to attend transformative educational opportunities across the country, it was a done deal,” he said. “We know that alumni play an important role in making Ohio State’s MHA program one of the best in the country.”
This first-of-its-kind fund is supported through gifts by Bill Considine ‘71 MHA, former president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital; Mark Neaman ‘74 MHA, former president and CEO of NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Illinois; and Ned Zechman ‘74 MHA, former president and CEO of Children’s National Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
