Meet 2026 MHA Outstanding Student Award Recipient Shaunessy Burton

Each year, the Executive Programs Office in Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health honors one exceptional graduate with the prestigious MHA Outstanding Student Award, presented at the UCLA Health Policy and Management Alumni Association (HPMAA) Leaders of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow annual event. This year, the distinction belongs to Shaunessy Burton, the Rural Clinic Operations Officer for the Tanana Chiefs Conference in Alaska.

Selection for this award is a testament to a student’s holistic impact on the program. UCLA faculty took note of Shaunessy’s exceptional engagement with the course material and her proactive, helpful nature toward her peers in the online MHA program. Described as deeply respectful and highly respected, Shaunessy brought a vital, distinct perspective to classroom discussions, drawing from her real-world experience managing 22 rural health clinics in interior Alaska. Having walked the commencement stage on June 12, 2026, Shaunessy sat down with us to reflect on her journey, the Bruin community, and what it means to truly find your calling.

As the recipient of the ‘MHA Outstanding Student Award’ announced at the HPMAA Leaders of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow event, what does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally, especially when looking at the caliber of your fellow 2026 MHA graduates?

I was truly honored and incredibly surprised to receive this award. I didn’t entirely grasp the magnitude of the recognition until the dinner, when I realized I had been selected from among an exceptionally talented cohort of peers. To be honest, it brought on a bit of imposter syndrome initially! While I may not have had the highest GPA, this recognition deeply validates that I am on the right path. Throughout my time at UCLA, I constantly felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and this award beautifully solidified that feeling. Looking at the big picture, I just feel profoundly honored to have made an impression and to have truly found my calling.

With over 13 years of healthcare experience—moving from a Certified Medical Assistant to overseeing 22 rural health clinics for the Tanana Chiefs Conference—what motivated you to pursue an MHA and why did you choose UCLA?

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I transitioned from clinical staff to operations. As I settled into my role, I quickly realized how much room there was to grow my understanding of healthcare’s complex administrative side. I began researching programs that would build my confidence and elevate my systemic understanding of the field, and UCLA’s curriculum was the only one that truly resonated with me. I deeply appreciated the hybrid structure—the balance of distance learning paired with the two immersive, in-person sessions was the perfect fit. UCLA has a phenomenal reputation, and I was absolutely thrilled to join the Bruin community.

Looking back on your time in the program, is there a specific moment, course, or faculty connection that meant the most to you or changed how you view healthcare leadership?

It is hard to pinpoint just a single moment because every single course felt entirely relevant. Each class built beautifully upon the last, steadily expanding my knowledge in areas where I previously had limited exposure. A massive highlight was the faculty; the professors are all active industry professionals who bring real-world, current experience into the classroom, making our discussions incredibly practical and rich. The same can be said for my peers—everyone brought unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds to the table. I found myself genuinely excited for every class, walking away each time with actionable insights on how to be a better administrator.

Your work focuses on process improvement and optimizing healthcare access in underserved, rural communities. How do you plan to take the toolkit you built at UCLA and apply it moving forward?

Honestly, I have been applying the toolkit class-by-class in real-time! Having the foundational knowledge and strategic frameworks has been eye-opening, allowing me to bring much greater efficiency to the work I was already doing. The program introduced me to extensive systems, optimization tools, and strategic processes I hadn’t encountered before, and several have already proven incredibly impactful in my day-to-day operations. Moving forward, I am excited to leverage this complete toolkit to continue driving meaningful process improvements and expanding access in our rural communities.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I just want to add how incredibly fun this entire experience was. Beyond the rigorous academics, I made lifelong connections and walked through doors to opportunities I never thought possible. Navigating this program alongside such a phenomenal group of people truly reinforced the feeling that this is exactly where I belong. I am so grateful for the journey and incredibly proud to represent UCLA MHA out in the field!