Highlights from Fall 2025 UCLA MHA Immersion

27 Oct Highlights from Fall 2025 UCLA MHA Immersion

UCLA’s Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is built on the flexibility of online learning, but the heart of the student experience lies in its two high-impact, in-person immersions. From October 23–25, 2025, MHA candidates gathered on campus for a three-day schedule designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world executive leadership.

The Fall 2025 Immersion combined professional development, strategic networking, and hospital site visits, providing students with a deep dive into the Los Angeles healthcare ecosystem.

A Look Inside World-Class Healthcare Operations

A hallmark of the UCLA MHA experience is unparalleled access to industry-leading facilities. During Immersion, students explored three distinct pillars of healthcare delivery:

• Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center: Drew Weil, Senior Director of Hospital Operations, Integration & Activation Planning, hosted the group for a presentation and tour, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the operational complexities of a premier academic medical center.
• Cedars-Sinai Simulation Center: Under the guidance of Director Russell Metcalfe-Smith, students experienced the Women’s Guild Simulation Center for Advanced Clinical Skills, a 10,000-square-foot facility featuring fully functioning ORs, ICUs, and robotic surgery labs, to see how high-fidelity simulation is used to master clinical techniques and ensure patient safety.
• Venice Family Clinic: To understand the vital role of community health, students visited one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). CEO Dr. Mitesh Popat led a tour and discussed the unique challenges and rewards of managing large-scale primary care for underserved populations.

Consulting, Competition, and Career Strategy

The immersion also served as a laboratory for leadership. MHA Program Director Dr. Laura Erskine led Immersion 2 students through a specialized case study to prepare them for their upcoming consulting projects. The session culminated in a mini-case competition where teams pitched strategic solutions.

Congratulations to Team 1, who took home the win, Special thanks to MHA Alumni Monique Trinh and Bryan Ceron, who returned to campus to serve as guest judges and provide expert feedback.

Meanwhile, Immersion 1 students focused on personal leadership through a Gallup StrengthsFinder workshop led by Student Affairs Officer Jenna Mendoza, MA. By identifying their core talents, students gained actionable insights to leverage their unique strengths in their current and future management roles.

Industry Perspectives and Alumni Connections

The Executive Programs Office remains dedicated to connecting students with the UCLA Health Policy & Management Alumni Association (HPMAA) and other professional networks.

UCLA MPH Graduate Krisianna Bock, Principal with HKS, Inc., delivered a keynote on career perspectives, sharing how she leads multidisciplinary teams to integrate master planning into hospital facility design. Following her lecture, Krisianna provided invaluable one-on-one resume critiques.

“Hearing from a former student made the session relatable and inspiring,” shared one participant. “Her insights on career growth and leadership were practical, useful, and grounded in her own journey.”

Krisianna Bock will be honored with the 2026 Ira Alpert Service Award at the UCLA HPMAA Leaders of Today Leaders of Tomorrow Annual Awards Dinner on May 18th.

The career programming continued with a dynamic panel discussion featuring Curana Health COO Craig DePriester, UCLA MPH Graduate and Kaiser-Permanente Regional Workshop Consultant Nikhil Kulkarni, and UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute Fellow and UCLA MHA Graduate Monique Trinh.

Building the MHA Community

Between hospital tours and consulting pitches, students took time to strengthen their peer networks. Program Coordinator Sarah Tran facilitated the Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower Challenge, a communication-focused team-building exercise that tested the cohorts’ ability to collaborate under pressure. Students were also introduced to the HPMSA, HPMAA, and the MHA Student Association (MHASA), ensuring they are fully integrated into the broader UCLA community.

Looking Ahead

MHA Immersion 1 and 2 are essential, required components of the curriculum that solidify the bonds within each cohort. We look forward to seeing our students back on campus for the Winter Quarter 2026 Immersion, scheduled for February 26–28, 2026.