Students in Trinity University’s Master of Science in Health Care Administration (HCAD) program have had an incredible semester filled with transformative experiences and opportunities. From engaging with distinguished guest speakers and gaining insights during hospital visits to tackling complex group projects, the semester was a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and drive to excel. This rigorous and immersive environment is shaping them into innovative healthcare leaders, ready to address the challenges of the healthcare industry with confidence and vision.
Alumni Awards Dinner
We were pleased to host another successful Alumni Weekend, a highlight of our program’s calendar. The weekend began with an inspiring session for our second-year students, featuring Brett McClung M’92. First-year students then joined for engaging panel discussions led by our remarkable alumni, sharing invaluable insights and experiences. The evening concluded with a celebratory dinner, where we proudly presented Jared Shelton M’10 with the Momentum Award and Doug Lawson M’93 with the Duce Award in recognition of their outstanding achievements. We are continually inspired by the accomplishments of our alumni and cherish the opportunity to bring everyone together for such a meaningful event.
Community Impact Project
The first-year students have dedicated themselves to the meaningful Community Impact Project. Their work began with an analysis of data on how social determinants influence health outcomes in San Antonio communities. Based on this analysis, they were assigned two zip codes and are now actively engaging with these neighborhoods to address the specific challenges they’ve identified. To support their efforts, the program has provided each group with $500 to make a tangible, positive impact in their assigned communities. While we recognize that these efforts won’t solve all the challenges these communities face, our goal is to make a difference in the lives of individuals, helping them achieve better health outcomes through targeted social interventions.
Patient Experience Project
Another significant project the first-year students have been tackling is the Patient Experience Project. Each group was assigned a hospital unit and tasked with identifying opportunities to enhance the patient experience within that unit. Students had access to Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores for analysis and were able to visit their assigned units, engaging directly with nurses and patients to gather valuable insights. The project will conclude with each group presenting a thoughtful recommendation to their unit—a potential strategy to improve the patient experience and, in turn, positively influence HCAHPS scores. This hands-on initiative has provided students with practical experience in fostering patient-centered care.
Friday Site Visits and Guest Speakers
Every Friday, our first-year students have had the privilege of hearing from guest speakers or visiting hospitals across the San Antonio and Austin areas. These experiences have been both inspiring and insightful, as students learn about each speaker's unique journey in health care and the meaningful impact they’ve made through their careers in healthcare administration. The hospital visits have also been a valuable opportunity for students to explore various facets of health care, helping them begin to identify their own passions and potential career paths within the field.
HCAD Family FOREVER!!!
This semester was not only full of hard work but also plenty of fun as the first-years were introduced to the meaning of the HCAD family. Both first-year and second-year students kicked off the semester competing in volleyball, kickball, and basketball intramurals. Dr. Ed Schumacher warmly welcomed us into his home twice this semester—first for a beginning-of-semester dinner and later for a memorable Friendsgiving celebration. And let’s not forget the first-years’ incredible Halloween party, which might just go down as the best in HCAD history! These moments of connection remind us of the strong bonds that make this program so special.
