Professional health program begins

A new certificate program for health care leadership is now being offered at PSU, following the success of a similar program that began last year for health care management.

The leadership certificate program, offered by the PSU Professional Development Center, held its first class Friday, Jan 18 with an ethics course. The four-week program is intended for health care professionals, with seven to 10 years of experience, who are seeking upper-level training, said program director Lori Silverman. Like courses for the health care management certificate, members of the local health care industry teach leadership program classes.

“These programs are different than any other offering in the current marketplace, though we’d love for this method and approach to health care training to continue growing,” Silverman said. “There is such a need for upper-level executive and administrator training that isn’t available traditionally, and these programs are meant to fill that need while being mindful of the students’ careers.”

Diann Matthews is one student who has been involved in the health care certificate program. She is enrolled in the management program and is strategic account director for Centocor, Ortho Biotech. The health care certificate program has helped her in her daily work, she said, and she anticipates graduating with a management certificate after she completes, “Deciphering the Management and Leadership Matrix,” which begins Feb. 19.

Matthews, who graduated from PSU in 1980 with a science degree and went into health care soon after, said that though the management program seemed daunting at first, she knew she wanted to take the course after meeting Silverman and realizing how helpful the training would be.

“Lori has been so amazing,” she said. “And her efforts towards creating a network for local health care professionals and really working to offer students useful lessons that benefit us in the long run, not just during class or just to earn a certificate. I wish this sort of thing had been available years ago.”

The management program’s first year had 11 students graduate last December and currently has about 30 students enrolled, Silverman said. She said the leadership program currently has about 10 students enrolled and she anticipates as many graduates within the year.

Instructors for the programs include a medical center CEO, a chief medical officer and James Harker, regional director of strategic development for Providence Health and Services. Harker said he likes the small class sizes of the leadership program because it allows for the best quality of training.

“The leadership program’s focus on practical application is very tight, because we want to work with those members of the industry who will soon bring reform and new, effective policies to the industry,” he said. “And small groups are the best for constant dialogue and interaction.”

Interested students can register for courses within both programs online at www.pdc.pdx.edu/health. The next management course begins Feb. 19, and the next leadership course begins Feb. 29.