Online MHA Alumni in Action: Imantha Ambrose
Imantha Ambrose (MHA 2021)
Administrative Specialist, UCLA Health
Tell us about your career trajectory before, during, and after the program.
Before the program, I was aiming to go to medical school. After accepting the offer and attending, I realized that being a doctor was not exactly what I was looking to do. I wanted to help and transform the healthcare system, even if it was in the smallest way. In order to do this, I knew I had to take on a more administrative role, which is why I decided to apply for the MHA program at NYU Wagner.
Why were you drawn to the Online MHA program?
Online is the key word here. With maintaining a full time job, this program was the perfect opportunity to get a great education, while still getting first hand experience in the workforce. Additionally, my sister attended nursing school at NYU Rory Meyers School of Nursing and I knew how rigorous her program was. I was drawn to the quality, the prestigious reputation, and most importantly the experience of learning online while working full time.
What is your advice to prospective students who are considering applying to the Online MHA program?
For prospective students, I would advise them to come to the program ready to work and to keep an open mind. With only one hour of class a week, making sure to utilize resources such as office hours and forming study groups is an integral part of the online MHA experience.
What was your favorite part of the program or something that you did not expect?
My favorite part of the entire program was meeting my classmates at the in-person immersion. With an online program, interaction is usually very low. Communicating, forming study groups and keeping everyone in check through a group chat can highlight the friendship process and make the program feel more real. I can easily say that I've met some of the best people through this program and I cannot wait to see what they all do in the future!
How do you hope to apply what you learned in the program to your career in healthcare?
With my new degree, I hope to pursue a director position in the near future. I am working at UCLA Health right now as an Administrative Specialist in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, with a passion for human resources, an interest in clinical research and the hope of getting into clinical operations eventually. I believe that my master’s degree in Health Administration will allow me to achieve my goals and aid in transforming the current healthcare system for the better.