UNH, Milford Hospital Partnership Creates Laboratory for Student Learning

The partnership will further UNH’s long tradition of providing real world opportunities for students, said  Samuel S. Bergami, Jr. ’85 EMBA of Milford, a long-time UNH benefactor and former chair of its Board of Governors and the chair of the Milford Hospital Board of Directors.

"I am very excited about this partnership," Bergami said. "It’s just what the university should be doing for students in terms of providing them with real experiences while at the same time engaging corporate/community partners and successful alumni in meaningful ways."  

The program will involve 15 M.S. in Healthcare Administration (MSHA) graduate students this fall. They will be guided not only by faculty and hospital officials but also by UNH alumnus, Dave Fusco, executive in residence for the MSHA program and former CEO of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Connecticut.

"UNH has always valued the importance of real-life learning through direct experience in the work place," said Thad Henry, special executive assistant to UNH President Steven H. Kaplan. "Strategic partnerships like the one with Milford Hospital help students find increased value in their education. They gain valuable experience while working with professionals in their field of study and gain tremendously from faculty-guided research coupled with advice from alumni and industry expertise."

The program will benefit the hospital by providing a fresh perspective to address real business challenges. The program will also benefit students by giving them unprecedented access to top healthcare executives in the state.

"Milford Hospital is pleased to partner with UNH to provide an exceptional learning environment for the MSHA students" said Joseph Pelaccia, Milford Hospital president and CEO.   "The field of healthcare management offers future executives unique challenges and rewards."  

Pelaccia said healthcare leaders face challenges from pay reform to patient satisfaction that continue to reshape the industry.  "Healthcare executives are not only concerned about the business and financial side of our industry, but also in providing accessible safe and compassionate care for people in the communities we serve," he said.  "Through this collaboration, future healthcare leaders will gain exposure to the complex operations of a healthcare provider and become engaged in a variety of observational experiences." 

Students in the program will work with the Milford Hospital CEO and COO on this project in the context of a course, the Healthcare Administration Capstone, which is directed by Summer McGee, associate professor and director of the MSHA program

UNH’s Master of Science in Healthcare Administration trains over 100 students a year and has an excellent record of job placement among its current students and graduates.

"Even entry level jobs in healthcare administration require a basic level of experience in healthcare," said McGee. "Students who have volunteer experience, an internship and/or a real-world capstone experience like this one can more easily find permanent positions in the field. So this program is a real opportunity for students to add to their resume and make professional connections that may lead to that first job."

About the University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a private, top-tier comprehensive institution recognized as a national leader in experiential education. Founded in 1920 the university enrolls approximately 1,800 graduate students and more than 4,600 undergraduates.