Building Our Bridge to Healthcare’s Future: The MHA Advisory Board

January 12, 2026 | News & Feature Stories

Edgewood University’s new Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is built with a clear purpose: to prepare emerging leaders for the rapidly evolving realities of healthcare. As the industry faces ongoing workforce challenges, technology disruptions, shifting payment models, and growing demands for equity, the University has made a deliberate commitment to designing a program that remains both future-focused and deeply connected to community needs.

To ensure the curriculum stays aligned with current and emerging healthcare practices, the University has established an Advisory Board composed of leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare across the region and beyond.

Inaugural Advisory Board members are:

“I am grateful to support and advise the Edgewood University MHA program. We need informed, courageous leaders to address the many challenges we face in healthcare today. This Edgewood program will prepare people from many different backgrounds to lead effectively.” Frank D. Byrne, MD

---

Staying Connected to What Matters

Healthcare is moving faster than ever. The challenges administrators face today will evolve into new complexities tomorrow. While the MHA program is grounded in decades of real-world experience — including the broad clinical, academic, and leadership background of Program Director Dr. Tamala Bradham — Edgewood recognizes that preparing students for long-term success requires continuous insight from leaders who are navigating today’s realities.

The Advisory Board was formed to serve as an essential connection. Rather than fulfilling a symbolic role, the Board functions as a practical, forward-looking partner, ensuring the program remains responsive to shifts in the healthcare environment.

These leaders bring perspectives from across the care continuum:

• Hospital and health system executives who manage complex organizational demands
• Frontline clinicians who understand patient-centered care and workforce realities
• Healthcare finance and operations experts guiding the business side of care
• Public health professionals focused on population health and community wellbeing
• Quality and safety specialists advancing high-reliability care systems
• Healthcare consultants with cross-industry and change-management expertise

Together, they represent a comprehensive view of healthcare leadership — and a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals.

---

Creating a Meaningful Impact on Student Success

The Advisory Board will meet quarterly, but its influence permeates every aspect of the program. Board insights directly shape the competencies students develop, ensuring graduates are job-ready, adaptable, and equipped to lead in increasingly complex healthcare systems. Their guidance helps align the curriculum with real-world expectations — what employers need today and what they will expect from emerging leaders tomorrow.

Shaping a Relevant, Future-Ready Curriculum

Board members review competencies, course content, and learning outcomes to ensure that what students learn reflects what employers genuinely need. Their input helps the program quickly incorporate emerging trends such as AI adoption in clinical operations, new care delivery models, and evolving regulations.

Challenging the Program to Stay Agile

Healthcare is dynamic. When new industry challenges arise — whether related to staffing, reimbursement, technology, or policy — Board members will help the program pivot quickly, ensuring students develop the adaptability required of modern leaders.

Guiding the Path Toward CAHME Accreditation

As Edgewood University pursues accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the Advisory Board will provide essential industry insight that informs curriculum design, assessment approaches, and continuous improvement efforts.

---

A Community of Practice with a Purpose

Edgewood University’s Advisory Board is more than a group of advisors. It is a community of practice — uniting experienced professionals, dedicated faculty, and motivated students in a shared mission to improve healthcare delivery and leadership.

This collaborative structure supports a program designed to develop leaders who combine operational excellence with ethical decision-making, compassion, and a commitment to service — values at the heart of Edgewood University’s educational mission.

As the MHA program prepares for its Spring 2026 launch, the Advisory Board will continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring that graduates are ready to lead with integrity, insight, and impact across the healthcare landscape.

Learn more about Edgewood University’s Master of Healthcare Administration program and apply today to take your career to a new level. Questions? Feel free to email us at gps@edgewood.edu.