Department of Health Services Management & Leadership
2175 K Street, NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20037
202-994-5564

Who We Are

The Department of Health Services Management and Leadership offers training in health services administration to help meet the growing need for skilled executives to manage health-related organizations and programs. Because it recognizes and responds to the fast-paced, dynamic changes occurring in the industry today, the Department is well-positioned to prepare not only health care managers, but the health care leaders of tomorrow. An MHSA degree from the Department of Health Services Management incorporates business and medical informatics training, knowledge of health care systems, law and policy, critical values in decision making, and much more.

The Department's special strengths include an emphasis on experiential learning and community service, distinguished faculty, research collaborations and relationships with policymaking and health care organizations in Washington, DC. Active alumni and student associations foster mentoring, networking and other professional development opportunities.

The HSML curriculum focuses on legislative and leadership and strategic planning trends, quality performance improvements, leadership techniques, community health planning and advocacy, organizational theory, finance and health law. The Department also offers residency and internship opportunities that allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in health care settings. Numerous seminar, conference and networking opportunities are made possible through strong working relationships with professional organizations.

The Department of Health Services Management and Leadership originated in 1959 as an MBA program in Hospital Administration at The George Washington University. It grew and evolved, becoming the Department of Health Services Management and Policy at GW's School of Government and Business in 1991. The Department became part of the School of Public Health and Health Services at the time of its formation in 1997, and in 2002 was renamed the Department of Health Services Management and Leadership.

Academic Programs

The Department of Health Services Management and Leadership offers the following degrees and programs:

• Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)
• Health Services Administration Specialist Degree
• Master of Public Health (MPH) - Public Health Management - for clinicians and mid- careerists
• Graduate Certificate - Public Health Management; Health Services Generalist; Long-Term Care Administration
• Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Health Services Administration (MBA) (degree offered by GW's School of Business)

Faculty Research Expertise

HSML faculty members offer a broad range of analysis and support to numerous community-based and national organizations, and conduct research in collaboration with colleagues in the SPHHS, the School of Business and elsewhere. Areas of research expertise within HSML include:

• Strategic planning
• Long-term-care workforce
• Risk management

A well-integrated management focus that incorporates an extensive understanding of health policy ensures a broad perspective in designing and executing this research.

Selected Research Programs and Community Activities

• Department faculty members provide program analysis, technical assistance and consultative services to many community agencies and health services organizations in the region, including America's Health Insurance Plans, the Veteran's Administration and the American Health Care Association. Faculty members also work with the U.S. Department of Labor to design and implement work force demonstrations. Faculty also consult to other nations as they prepare health services management programs.

Residency Information

The administrative residency of The George Washington University's Department of Health Services Management and Leadership (HSML) is the formal period of education and experience during which the student is expected to observe and test administrative and organizational theories and knowledge gained in the didactic phase of the program. The objectives of the residency are achieved by providing each participant with personal coaching and guidance by a qualified, practicing health services executive and a faculty advisor. The education must be accomplished in an environment where the student begins to develop the ability and confidence necessary to assume significant management responsibility in health services organizations.

• Residency Site Placements of HSML Students

The scope of the administrative residency is delineated by a series of program objectives which provide opportunities for the student to:

• (1) become familiar with the management and administrative activities of the organization, along with all significant operations (e.g., board and medical staff committees);
• (2) gain experience and accept responsibility under supervision (i.e., personal coaching and guidance from a practicing health services executive);
• (3) apply and test administrative theories in health services executive work settings;
• (4) develop a personal philosophy of management, concept of executive practice, and clarification of individual career goals; and
• (5) provide the foundation for professional development and advancement, including career placement, professional affiliations, and continuing study.

Detailed information on the residency program can be found in the MHSA Residency Manual.

Faculty

• Douglas G. Anderson MHA, FACMPE
  Assistant Professional Lecturer of Health Services Management and Leadership
• Brian Biles, MD, MPH
  Professor of Health Policy and of Health Services Management and Leadership
• Robert Burke, PhD
  Chair of the Department of Health Services Management and Leadership, Professor of Health Services Management and Leadership and of Health Policy, Director of the Wertlieb Educational Institute for Long-Term Care Management
• Kurt Darr, JD, ScD
  Professor of Health Services Management and Leadership; Director of the MPH Concentration in Public Health Management
• Steven Eastaugh, ScD
  Professor of Health Services Management and Leadership
• Leonard H. Friedman, PhD, MPA, MPH
  Professor of Health Services Management and Leadership and of Health Policy; Director of the Master of Health Services Administration Program
• Bianca Frogner, PhD
  Assistant Professor of Health Services and Management and Leadership
• Josef Reum, PhD
  Associate Dean for Finance and Administration and Associate Professor of Health Services Management and Leadership and of Health Policy.
• Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
  Research Professor of Health Policy and of Health Services Management and Leadership

Contact Us

Department of Health Services Management and Leadership
2175 K St, NW, Suite 320
School of Public Health and Health Services
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 994-5564
Fax: (202) 994-5577
Email: hsmreb@gwumc.edu
Web site: www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/departments/hsml/

Department Chair: Robert E. Burke, PhD, MA

Click here for links to additional HSML resources.