Fulbright Scholar Endeavors to Make Healthcare More Accessible in Pakistan

Driven by her determination to improve the availability of healthcare in her home country of Pakistan, Masooma Raza ’19 M.S. excelled in the University of New Haven’s graduate program in healthcare administration.

May 16, 2019

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

As Commencement approaches, we’ll introduce you to some members of the University’s Class of 2019. Next up is Masooma Raza ’19 M.S., a healthcare administration student, whose favorite memories as a Charger include representing the University at conferences and checking out Charlie’s dance movies.

Masooma Raza ’19 M.S., a Fulbright Scholar from Pakistan, hopes that the knowledge and experience she gained pursuing a master’s degree in healthcare administration will enable her to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for people in her home country. She believes her University of New Haven education has prepared her to make a difference.

"The opportunities I had as a student provided me with confidence in my mission to become a successful healthcare management professional," said Raza. "I believe that I am ready to accept any challenge head-on. I am grateful to my professors – especially Dr. Summer McGee – who motivated me to keep aiming higher, and always encouraged me to work hard."

Chosen to represent the University at the Health Information Management Systems Society’s annual conference, Raza also was a member of the University’s chapter of Upsilon Phi Delta National Honor Society.

Some of her favorite memories of her time at the University include connecting with her classmates on campus.

"It was fascinating to apply my classroom training in a real-world setting and to cultivate the important competencies of healthcare management."Masooma Raza ’19 M.S.

"I have had moments of pure bliss with my friends," she said. "I have fond memories of the colors of fall on campus, sipping Jazzman’s hot coffee during the winter, midnight breakfasts before each final exam, and Charlie the Charger’s dance moves."

Raza gained important experience in healthcare during her two internships with the Yale New Haven Health System, working with the infection prevention team and at the Smilow Cancer Hospital. After Commencement, she plans to return to Pakistan to work with policymakers and think tanks to bridge the public-private healthcare gap, to lower healthcare costs, and to enable more people to receive healthcare.

"It was fascinating to apply my classroom training in a real-world setting and to cultivate the important competencies of healthcare management," said Raza. "At the end of my internships, I had found my calling in healthcare management, healthcare law, and policy. I want to give back to Pakistan’s healthcare community."