Improving Health Care Systems and Public Health Policy and Management Through Practice

Over the past 10 years, the Department of Health Policy and Management has made a considerable investment in expanding the number of management residency and practicum sites for our students that address their needs and preferences across the health care services and public health sectors. The matching process has become increasingly competitive as our enrollment has increased and the expectations of both the students and host institutions have risen accordingly. In fact, we typically have more placement sites available than we can fill with current students. The development of an extended management residency to provide select students with longer exposure to their placement sites provides an additional enhancement to our field placement program.

The following list of placement organizations for 2014 and summer 2013 reflects the array of opportunities currently available:

• AHN-West Penn Hospital
• Allegheny County Department of Human Services
• Allegheny County Health Department
• Allegheny Health Network
• Boston Health Commission/Boston University
• Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center*
• Consumer Health Coalition
• Deloitte Consulting LLP
• Department of Health Policy and Management
• Emory Clinic
• Georgetown University’s Center for Child and Human Development Disabilities
• Highmark IDS Oncology
• Highmark Provider Engagement, Performance, and Partnerships
• Jewish Association on Aging
• Jewish Healthcare Foundation
• Northside Leadership Conference
• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• PFCC Innovation Center of UPMC
• Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, Health Care
• Presbyterian SeniorCare
• University of Pittsburgh
• UPMC
• UPMC Corporate Services Office of the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer
• UPMC Health Plan*
• UPMC McKeesport Hospital*
• UPMC Physician Services Division Department of Urology
• UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
• West Penn Allegheny Health System, Safety and Quality
• Western Pennsylvania Hospital

*Extended Residency 2013–14

In addition excellent academic preparation, students participate  in a robust program of practical experiences coordinated by the HPM Director of External Relations. Following are brief descriptions of the professional advisory team, designated mentorship, residencies and the Executive In Residence.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY TEAM

The professional advisory team (in addition to the student’s academic advisor) is a virtual team that can assist in providing professional advice. The team for each student consists of the Mentor (designated by HPM), Residency Preceptor, Executive-in-Residence, Director of External Relations and additional mentors that the student acquires.

DESIGNATED MENTORSHIP

The purpose of the mentorship is to designate a healthcare executive as a mentor who is available, at the student's initiation, to discuss career development and professional matters. The designated mentor is the first member of the Professional Advisory Team that HPM constitutes for each student. 

RESIDENCIES

Most students participate in the matching process for a residency developed by HPM. Some students are accepted by nationally competitive summer residencies (e.g. Emory Clinic, Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic and Northwestern Memorial). Presentations by potential Preceptors regarding HPM opportunities occur in October. 

• The extended residency is about 1,000 hours (part-time during the second semester of the first year, full-time during the summer and part-time during the second academic year). The application, interviewing, ranking and matching occur in the fall of the first year. Recent placements have been @ Allegheny Health Network, The Children’s Institute, Gateway Health Plan, UPMC and the VA. 
• The summer residency is about 500 hours. The application, interviewing, ranking and matching occur in the spring of the first year. Recent placements have been @ Allegheny Health Network, The Children’s Institute, Gateway Health Plan, UPMC and Washington Hospital. 

EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE

The Executive In Residence (EIR) enhances students’ contact with and knowledge about the world of practice. The EIR, a current healthcare executive, meets with all students a couple times each semester and meets individually with students as requested regarding career development, professionalism and leadership. .