Master of Healthcare Management Prepares First Cohort of Graduates for Leadership Roles

The Fairmont State University Master of Science in Healthcare Management was established within recent years to meet the growing demand for qualified leaders in the healthcare industry, with the program graduating its first cohort of students at the University’s Fall 2021 Commencement.

The cohort was enrolled during the Fall of 2019, with four students pursuing the degree pathway and one a certificate. The four graduates awarded their master’s degree include:

•Tavia DeFazio, MHCM, BS, RVT, RT(R), Accreditation Coordinator/Clinical Coordinator Diagnostic Medical Sonography Education Program at WVUH-UHC, Clarksburg, WV

•Angela Schmidl, MHCM, BS, Management and Program Analyst, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazards Prevention Branch, Morgantown, WV

•Dominique Fusco-Davis, MHCM, MHCM, BS, LNHA, Administrator, Fairmont Health and Rehabilitation Center, Fairmont, WV

• Trevor Harman, MHCM, BS, RT, LNHA, Administrator, Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center, Petersburg, WV

Fusco-Davis and Harman completed the administrator-in-training internship, enabling them to apply for licensure as a nursing home administrator. In addition, Andrea Pammer, completed the 15-hour graduate certificate in healthcare management.

DeFazio reflected on her experience in the program, “A love of learning is one of my personal strengths. The Healthcare Management program at Fairmont State has further sparked this strength in me and has challenged my mind in fresh, new ways. The online flexibility made it possible for me to enroll in the first place and then to continue to learn through a pandemic. While the rest of the world seemed to have to recreate how to do things - this online program's progress was unaffected. My overall knowledge and awareness of the intricacies of the healthcare industry has grown tremendously. This program has provided me with valuable leadership tools. It brings me true joy that I have been given the opportunity to care for my family, work and advance my knowledge.”

Dr. Raymond Alvarez serves as coordinator for the program. He has a doctorate in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University and over 40 years experience in nearly all aspects of the healthcare continuum.   

Harman added, “The Fairmont State University MHCM program has been very compatible with my full-time career and is headed by an excellent program director. He has orchestrated an excellent educational format along with a very rare nursing home administrator-in-training internship, allowing candidates to gain their nursing home administrator’s license. This program covers all aspects of holistic, executive health administration and is ideal for all candidates.”

The Master of Healthcare Management online degree program was designed to give working professionals the experience and skills they need to assume leadership positions in healthcare. With a curriculum that goes beyond theory and designed by professionals, everything learned is directly applicable and impactful for day-to-day leadership decision-making. 

For more information, visit www.fairmontstate.edu/mhcm

College of Business & AviationMaster of Healthcare Management