Welcome to "The HealthSpark: Igniting Healthcare Management Change with Dr. Raya," a dynamic podcast series where we delve into the minds of trailblazing healthcare industry leaders. Hosted by Dr. Ginger Raya, a seasoned expert in healthcare management and organizational leadership, this podcast shines a light on those who are driving innovation and transformation in the healthcare sector. Each episode features in-depth conversations with subject matter experts who share their unique perspectives and experiences, offering listeners a rich tapestry of insights on managing and improving healthcare systems.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, executive, student, or someone passionate about the future of healthcare, this podcast is designed for you. Our ideal audience includes healthcare executives, policy makers, medical practitioners, and aspiring leaders who are eager to stay ahead of industry trends, learn from real-world experiences, and be inspired by stories of change and innovation.

Why should you listen?
"The HealthSpark" is more than just a podcast—it's a catalyst for thought-provoking discussions and actionable ideas. Tune in to discover how leading experts are navigating the complexities of healthcare, pioneering new solutions, and ultimately shaping a better future for patients and providers alike. 

Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Schedule a pre-screening call with Dr. Raya today!

The George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management is at the forefront of transforming healthcare management education and leadership. Our mission is to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and innovative mindset needed to excel in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

What we offer

We are thrilled to unveil a series of redesigned programs and certificates launching later this year, specifically crafted to enhance the capabilities of healthcare leaders. These new offerings cover essential areas such as Leadership & Management, Change & Strategic Management, Finance & Strategic Financial Management, Ethics & Compliance, and Emerging Technologies. In 2025, we will introduce an exciting new program that will succeed the Academic Medical Department Leadership program, further solidifying our commitment to educational excellence.

Beyond our educational programs, we offer specialized consulting services and leadership training designed to help healthcare organizations overcome leadership challenges and successfully navigate change. Our customized curriculum development services ensure that your leadership training programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization.

Engage with us

We are also excited to present our podcast series, The HealthSpark: Igniting Healthcare Management Change with Dr. Raya. This series is a hub for groundbreaking ideas and insightful discussions, featuring industry leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare. Additionally, don’t miss our annual Fleming Center Healthcare Management Case Competition, which kicks off with a keynote from an inspiring leader in the field.

Join us as we explore new horizons in healthcare management, providing you with the tools and knowledge to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact.

Meet the Fleming Center Interns

	Benjamin Semakuba, MD Semakuba earned his medical degree from the Université de Goma, Faculté de Médecine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He completed his residency in Anesthesiology at the University of Rwanda, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, followed by advanced training in intensive care medicine at the Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Nord Val de Seine, Bichat-Claude Bernard in France. With over nine years of experience in humanitarian work, Dr. Semakuba has provided anesthesia for war-wounded patients with renowned international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, The Alliance for International Medical Action, and UK-Med. He is pursuing an MPH focusing on healthcare management and a certificate in epidemiology. For his practicum, Dr. Semakuba will analyze qualitative historical data from previous career coaching participants, develop a long-term strategic plan for the career coaching program, and identify opportunities, challenges, and actionable strategies for success. LinkedIn
	Alexandra Willis Willis is a physician from the border city of El Paso, Texas. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public health and healthcare management, and she is passionate about promoting equity and providing culturally appropriate healthcare for all individuals. Alexandra is gaining valuable experience as an intern for the Capstone Case Competition Practicum internship at the George McMillan Fleming Center. Her goal is to make a positive impact in the field of public health and healthcare management, ensuring that everyone has access to quality and inclusive healthcare services. LinkedIn
	Lily Villarreal Villarreal is currently a research investigator where she applies her expertise to advance cancer research in patients with breast cancer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in psychology from the University of Houston, where she developed a strong foundation in science and an understanding of the psychological factors that influence health and well-being. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public health and healthcare management at UTHealth Houston, driven to create meaningful change in the health care system and improve access to quality care for the underserved populations. For her practicum, she will be assisting with the podcast series The HealthSpark: Igniting Healthcare Management Change with Dr. Raya, where she will gain valuable experience. This opportunity will give Villarreal insights on the latest trends, challenges, and expert discussions in healthcare management topics, equipping her with the skills to enhance future healthcare practices. LinkedIn
	Sasha Vijayvergia As a second-year MPH student specializing in Healthcare Management at UTHealth Houston, Sasha is currently completing a practicum under Ginger Raya, EdD, MHA, MPA at the George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management, where she is developing hands-on experience in healthcare operational management. In addition to Sasha's academic pursuits, she serves as a Government and Public Services Analyst at Deloitte, specializing in federal health contracts. Sasha's role at Deloitte, combined with her practicum experience, allows Sasha to gain a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems from both a public and private sector perspective. She is passionate about bridging these insights to support effective healthcare solutions and contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of healthcare management. LinkedIn

Practicum and Intern Opportunities 

The Fleming Center for Healthcare Management offers a range of competitive practicum and internship opportunities designed to provide students with hands-on experience in various aspects of healthcare management. These opportunities include managing historical case competition data, participating in podcast production, and taking on specialized roles in career coaching and executive leadership training. Students can expect to engage in activities such as historical management, abstract preparation, guest coordination for podcasts, client support in career coaching, and more. Each practicum is tailored to enhance students' professional development through real-world applications, mentorship, and networking opportunities, with options for both remote and on-site participation.

Interested in real world experience? Apply for a Fleming Center Practicum:

• Career Coaching Practicum
• Fleming Center Capstone Practicum
• HealthSpark Podcast Practicum
• Academic Medical Department Leadership Practicum
• Virtual Capstone Announcement 

The Fleming Center Executive Edge

Healthcare Leaders & Innovators

Target audience: Healthcare leaders, including physicians, clinicians, administrators, executives, and other healthcare professionals, seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and drive strategic initiatives within their organizations.

Course description: Participants will master critical business and leadership concepts, empowering them to analyze their organizations, prioritize strategic initiatives, lead effective change, and confidently manage teams. The course also includes the planning, communication, and implementation of strategic projects tailored to the unique needs of their healthcare environment.

Format: Available to healthcare organizations, our courses are fully customizable to meet the specific needs and goals of your team. The format and number of sessions can be adapted accordingly to ensure the most impactful learning experience.

Expanded Offerings

We are excited to announce the launch of a new and innovative program that will replace the Academic Medical Department Leadership program in 2025. In addition to this new offering, we provide specialized consulting services and leadership training for your healthcare organization. Our focus is on delivering tailored solutions that help healthcare organizations navigate leadership challenges and successfully manage change. We also offer curriculum development services, customizing leadership training programs to meet the specific needs of your organization.

Academic Medical Department Leadership

Our advisory panel includes:

• Aanand Naik, MD, Nancy P. and Vincent F. Guinee, MD, Distinguished Chair Professor, Joan and Stanford Alexander Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Internal Medicine at McGovern Medical School UTHealth Houston, Professor and Chair of Management, Policy, and Community Health, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Executive Director UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging.

• Ginger Raya, EdD, MHA, MPA, Center Leader, George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management, Associate Professor
  
  
• Theresa Q. Tran, MD, MBA, FACEP, Clinical Population Health and Advocacy  
  
  
• Robert B. Morrow, MD, MBA, Associate Professor, Executive in Residence
  
  
• Linda Cole, DNP, RN, APRN, CCNS, CNE, FCNS, Associate Professor, Non-tenured Instructional, Co-Director, DNP Program

Opportunities to lead, collaborate and learn

The Fleming Center offers students many activities emphasizing leadership, teamwork, and learning from industry leaders, further enriching their academic experience.

The Board

A student organization focused on leadership and management, The Board seeks to enrich students academically, professionally and socially as they transition into their careers. The organization offers course selection help, peer to peer coaching, alumni networking and opportunities for involvement in professional organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives and Healthcare Financial Management Association. The Board also sponsors career development workshops, and provides activities that encourage students to forge relationships with their peers and successful professionals in their field.
Contact Us: 
[email protected]
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Annual Fleming Center Case Competition

The annual case competition, co-sponsored by The Board, provides students with an exciting way to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a real-world problem. Teams of students compete to develop the best solution to a healthcare management-related case study. In the process, they bridge the academic and practice worlds, collaborate with their peers and take on leadership roles in a competitive setting. At the 2024 competition, eight teams from seven universities participated--five from schools within Texas. 

Click here to learn more about the Fleming Center Case Competition.

Practicum and Intern Opportunities 

The Fleming Center for Healthcare Management offers a range of competitive practicum and internship opportunities designed to provide students with hands-on experience in various aspects of healthcare management. These opportunities include managing historical case competition data, participating in podcast production, and taking on specialized roles in career coaching and executive leadership training. Students can expect to engage in activities such as historical management, abstract preparation, guest coordination for podcasts, client support in career coaching, and more. Each practicum is tailored to enhance students' professional development through real-world applications, mentorship, and networking opportunities, with options for both remote and on-site participation.

Interested in real world experience? Apply for a Fleming Center Practicum:

• Career Coaching Practicum
• Fleming Center Capstone Practicum
• HealthSpark Podcast Practicum
• Academic Medical Department Leadership Practicum
• Virtual Capstone Announcement