Complete First Year of Studies, Check.

Andy

I thought I would sneak a short message in before all the “commencement blogs” are uploaded. Who cares about graduation anyway? Some of us have a whole other year left. This blog focuses on what’s important, the accomplishments of the Class of 2014 (Joking, congratulations to all the graduates!)

A few days ago, I hosted an end-of-the-year soiree before all departing to our respective summer internships. Good weather. Good drinks. Better friends. It is always a pleasure to get together and share in the festivities of fun-employment, at least for a day. As always, I was struck by the professional and intellectual diversity of our HMP cohort. The University’s resources are great, the faculty is outstanding, and football is a religion. However, when prospective students asked me, “What is the single greatest thing about Michigan?” I told them about my friends. Yesterday was only a reminder.

As I reflect on the past year, it seems surreal that year one has come to a close (grades pending). I look forward to hearing about all the incredible practicum experiences upon return. From Geneva to Los Angeles to right here in Ann Arbor, I am 110% confident that everyone will be a massive success and realize how valuable they truly are to the field of healthcare management and policy. I’ve always said, the sooner my friends become CEOs, the sooner they can hire me. I wish them all the best in their future summer endeavors.

For the few HMP Class of 2015 students who read this blog, here is some advice for next year: Hang out with us! Ask us for help. Internship opportunities, check. Best places to eat, check. Cheap places to “hydrate”, double check. We went through the process and are more than willing to assist. Just remember we are upperclassmen, hence cooler, smarter, and more accomplished than any of you…

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

Happy Retirement Pat O’Kray, You Earned It!!!

Andy

“Happy Retirement to You, Happy Retirement to You, Happy Retirement Dear Pat, Happy Retirement to You!”

Today faculty, students, and staff met in the GLC Leadership Room to celebrate the illustrious career of Pat O’Kray.  Having served 15 years at the School of Public Health, she has amassed the greatest amount of knowledge and most importantly, respect, from the entire department.

These past few months, Pat has served as a confidant, resource, and friend to me and my many classmates. Without her guidance, I know with absolute certainty, my transition to graduate school life would have much more difficult. From internships, to class scheduling, to responding to a barrage of random emails, she is one word, wonderful.

Pat O’Kray did not work for the University of Michigan Health Management and Policy department, she embodied it. On behalf of the entire HMP 2014 class, we will miss you.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

Driving? Turn the Phone Off!

Andy

Driving is debatably the biggest public safety and public health issue of our nation. It is the leading cause of death among Americans ages 1 to 34, and the leading cause of long-term disability for all (McMillin, 2010). Statistically speaking, it is the single most dangerous activity most of us will do today. Skydiving or flying are insurmountably much safer activities, despite what our society believes. So why as a nation do we allow any mobile phone use in the car by the driver, something that drastically increases the probability of an automobile accident to persist?

As noted in the NYTimes article, “AT&T Chief Speaks Out on Texting at the Wheel”, research has shown that texting while driving increases ones risk of a crash beyond that of even an impaired driver with a 0.8 blood alcohol level (Richtel, 2012). A large majority of the population believes the BAC legal limit driving law to be a necessary piece of legislation. It only seems obvious to ban something more dangerous than something that is already banned.

Now some of you will say, texting is regulated in some states. This is obvious, however I’m wondering if we need a ban of total mobile phone use by the driver in the car. Plain and simple, mobile phones distract a driver in numerous ways. Manual manipulation of the phone such as texting or dialing significantly detracts from the time spent viewing the road. Unless you were blessed with the ability to use your two eyes independently, this presents a huge problem. In addition, there exist many distracting effects of the phone conversation through emotion or cognitive reasoning. Studies have shown that splitting cognition between two events greatly reduces the efficiency of any single activity. This is evidence to support the ban of total mobile phone use in the car, since the duration of a typical phone conversation can be up to two orders of magnitude greater than the time required to dial or answer the phone (Strayer, 2003).

Someone dies in a highway crash every 13 minutes (American Osteopathic Association). We must pass legislation that bans mobile phone and other electronic devices use while driving. Is even one life worth a text or phone call? What if that life was yours or your loved ones? The phone call can wait, especially if it’s your last.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

A Fresh Perspective

Andy

Hello Everyone -

My name is Andy Mychkovsky and I am an incoming HMP student. When asked to blog I accepted, mainly to repay the graces from last year’s posters. Now I understand this won’t help anyone if everything is sugarcoated, so I will make this as candid as possible. Debate is encouraged, as long as it’s carried out in a respectful manner. Also, if you find something interesting or relevant that you would like elaborated, I will do my best to respond promptly.

Work Experience

Following graduation from Grand Valley State University, I fortuitously landed a position with the Ann Arbor based consulting firm, Blue Cottage Consulting. Our goal is to transform healthcare one project at a time. We primarily do visioning, strategy, operations and facility planning in healthcare systems across North America. If interested, I have added a link to our website here. There is honestly too much to describe this time around, but would be willing to speak further if demand exists.

Why Michigan?

Frankly, I chose the University of Michigan because I believed it would attract the highest level of talent. My goal was to surround myself with the most passionate, talented, intelligent and innovative colleagues imaginable for this degree.

2012-2013 Expectations

Here are my expectations for the upcoming year:

1. I expect to learn more and work harder this year than I have in any previous calendar year.
2. I expect to know each one of my classmates on a level far deeper than just name, Alma Mater, profession and career interests.
3. I expect Michigan football to have a winning season.
4. I expect the professors to challenge students to think “outside the box” in class discussion through use of Socratic Method or well positioned questions.
5. I expect professors to never just read straight from a PowerPoint unless absolutely necessary (within reason).
6. I expect professors to incorporate specific work/industry experience into their teachings.
7. I expect alumni/current students to be open (within reason) to informational interviews, friendly meet-and-greets, etc.
8. I expect to snag a highly competitive summer internship, whatever that may be.
9. I expect to have a great year.

“High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.” – Charles Kettering.

With only a month left before school starts, I wish everyone a fantastic August. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the year has to offer, Go Blue!

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

The Best Internship, Ever: Social Media Meets Health Care

Tasha Edwards

As the Social Media Intern at Henry Ford Health System, I had the opportunity of working in the two areas I love, new media and healthcare. The internship of my dreams. Sadly, the internship has come to an end, but the memories will last forever. The fact that I was able to practice exactly what I thought was my dream career, in and of itself, made for a great internship. Interning within the Marketing/Web Services Department, I was able to learn so much about marketing and internet marketing in the hospital environment. It was truly a great educational and professional development experience.

My internship preceptors were excellent at assigning me projects that they thought would be beneficial, as well as allowing me to develop my own assignments to hone my social media skills. All of the  individuals that I worked with in Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications were very hardworking, uplifting, and team oriented. As many people know, coworkers are just as important in overall job satisfaction as the actual work itself. (Side note: They even helped me the day my car was towed when I went to the dentist downtown on my lunch break. Life savers.)

Some people my say, “Oh, you interned in social media? So, you created a Facebook page. LOL.”

And to those people I say, “I am so happy you think that way. Here’s my card. You can call me in the future when the competition is passing you, because you do not understand the power of social media.”

Seriously, social media in the corporate environment is marketing, social responsibility, public relations, health communication and so much more. (Just check how many twitter accounts the CDC has created.) Practicing social media in health care is writing marketing strategies, developing communication plans, creating innovative campaigns, and pioneering Public Health Internet Applications. And if it is done correctly, a solid social media strategy can serve as a serious point of differentiation.

I love that I had the chance to intern in an area that joined social media and health care. They are two areas that bring me so much joy. I never feel as though I am working when the two come together.  Harnessing the power of social media for the good of Public Health, and health care in general, is now my solidified career goal. That is why my Henry Ford Health System Social Media intern experience was the best internship ever!

One Ford Place

5 Tips to Landing a Great Internship

Tasha Edwards

Let’s start by saying, I look nothing like this picture. I will post a picture of my current self below. My, how things have changed in a year. On to the point of this post, my internship. In the fall, I will be second year Master’s degree student at the School of Public Health in the department of Health Management and Policy. I believe that it is a requirement in all the Master’s degree programs to complete an internship between the first and second year of study. My internship is at Henry Ford Health System in the Web Services. The main component of my work in the development and implementations of social media strategies.

I am so lucky to have received this internship, because it is very fitted to goals and talents. The department of web services sits inside of Marketing and alongside Corporate Planning, Public Relations, Communications, and Media Resources. I live for this stuff! I feel that every project I am a part of or take charge of is helping me to hone my skills to be successful in the future. Awesome, right? I know!

So, how do you get an internship as great as mine? Here are 5 quick tips.

1. Speak up about your interest, experience, and goals. You never know who’s listening, who they know, or what they can offer you.
2. Be professional in your work, study, classes, and extracurricular activities. I am not saying you need to wear a suit everyday, but look presentable. Employers and alumni visit the school for interviews, recruitment, and workshops on a regular basis.
3. Do not procrastinate on deadlines, interviews, emails, etc. Someone else could just be waiting to take your place.
4. Have an idea about the type of internship that would best fulfill you or the place you would like to be live. If you don’t know, then no one else will.
5. Follow up with potential employers. Like I stated previously, you are not the only student trying to obtain an internship, so you have to make an effort to stay at the top of the list.

I really hope these tips helped. This is how I got my awesome internship, and hopefully you will have a similar story to tell.

It ends, to Begin again

Tasha Edwards

Just the other day, I was suppose to write about the end of the semester, finals, traveling home and what not. Since that failed to happen, I find myself writing about the beginning of the semester all over again. 2 weeks is not a long break at all.

Briefly about the end of the semester, it was very stressful and I never want to do it again. Oh well, I can dream. On a good note, I did visit the undergaduate library. I highly recommend it. It is not for heavy study sessions, but it was nice to see the bubbly fresh faces of the youth of America. I am only 22, but there is a certain spirit and ora that only undergraduate exude. I became very nostalgic about the days of yesteryear.

On to the next, I have 5 lessons I learned last semester that should help me during the winter term:

1. Do not cram. Even if it works, it leads to a severe amount of test anxiety in which you can not remember anything you learned the night before.

2. Do not take your laptop to class. The cons outweigh the pros. It’s good for taking notes and following at your own pace, but it is heavy and boy can it be a distraction.

3. Studying alone beats studying in a group. Group study can help, but it can cost a lot of time, which is a scarce resource. It can also be more of a distraction and hinderance than anything else.

4. Do not get behind on assignments, reading, or studying, because once you do, there is likely no catching back up. You will literally feel like you are drowning.

5. Do not hesitate to ask for help. I know I said group studying was a waste, but if you have specific questions and problems, the longer you wait to ask, the more time you will waste. Peers, professors, graduate assistance, youtube, and google are all valuable and available resources.

These are just a few things that I discovered that may or may not work for you.

Tasha Edwards

Office Hours

Tasha Edwards

At my undergraduate, the only time I went to office hours was either to dispute a grade or to request, obtain, or follow up on a recommendation. I never just went in to talk to the professor or gain insight on an upcoming assignment. Well let me tell you:  My professors at the School of Public Health are marvelous.

1. They respond to emails
2. They are actually helpful
3. They know their area of expertise and everyone in it

#1 is extremely helpful when you can not make it to their predetermined office hours and need to make an appointment. It is also nice to know that you have an open line of communication, which could make a difference between a good grade and an excellent grade.

#2 is my favorite. Have you ever talked to someone for an hour, walked away and asked yourself, “How was that suppose to help me?” I have, and way more times than I would like to count. If you have a question about anything, the professors can either answer it with clarity or direct you to the person who can.

#3 catapults this program above the masses. Professors who know what they are talking about are great resources of information. When it comes to finding internships and job, professors who practice in the field, and have relationships with others who practice, are the most helpful. Searching for internships and jobs brings much anxiety and stress, but that can be mitigated by talking to your advisor. By practicing in the field, they know what opportunities exist that relate to your interest, who to call, and how to communicate with the people at the top. All three of the before-mentioned items are major areas that students find difficult.

In summary, go to office hours. The earlier you go, the less damage you will cause yourself by trying to “go it alone.”

Opportunity Clock

Tasha Edwards

I find myself waking up earlier and earlier to complete readings and assignments. I also find myself staying up later and later to complete papers and projects. This my friends is called burning the candles on both ends. Since missing my 8 am Biostatistics course is not option, I now have the need for two opportunity clocks.

(An opportunity clock looks, sounds, and acts like an alarm clock, but carries a different connotation. An alarm is rarely associated with something positive and pleasurable. There are fire alarms, tornado alarms, bugler alarms, etc. An opportunity alarm wakes you up to the dawn of a new day with fresh new OPPORTUNITIES. This is not my concept. I watch a lot of motivational clips on youtube in order to stay focused, heres the link.)

If I sleep through one, the other wakes me up. If I snooze them both, then they ring in an alternating pattern until I find myself playing some crazy game of guess which clock is going to ring next. At which point, I just get out of the bed. (I originally wrote this piece at 3:30 am and the following morning I lost the game. I missed my Biostatistics class and I’m seriously considering a third opportunity clock.)

On a good day, I try to wake up before the opportunity clock even has a chance to ring. Beating the clock has become one of my new goals for success. Changing bad behaviors to those that are conducive to your meeting your goals is the  first key to success. And you need many keys to be successful in the Health Management and Policy Program.

A Monday in the Life

Tasha Edwards

Among first year Health Management and Policy students, there is a consensus that Monday is the most daunting day of the week. I will take you through my Monday , 10/ 25/2010 to be exact, so that you can have an idea of the Monday in the life.

4:00 am – My alarm clock rang because my plan was to read before class. I decided that was not the best use of my time and I went back to sleep.

6:00 am – Woke up, fixed breakfast, packed lunch, attended to my dog, and made myself presentable.

7:23 – 7:48 am – Rode the AATA bus to campus

8:00 – 10:00 am – Biostatistics class

10:00 – 11:30 am – Public Health Policy class

11:30 – 1:00 pm – Biostatistics office hours

1:00 – 1:10 pm – Accounting office hours (I clarified one problem on the homework)

1:10 – 1:30 pm – Microeconomics office hours ( I did not understand what was being discussed and decided to revisit the material later)

1:30 – 3:00 pm – Returned to Biostatistics office hours

3:00 – 5:00 pm – Accounting class

5:08 – 5: 45 pm – Rode the AATA bus home

5:45 pm – Breath

This is a typical Monday in my life and many of my peers. When I do not attend office hours, I used the time to complete homework, group projects, and readings. Though it may sound like a lot of sitting around, you have to account for the fact that we are being intellectually stimulated for 9 hours straight. The program takes hard work and it only takes a Monday to put it all into prospective.