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A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

As we inch closer to commencement, I am energized by the remarkable momentum within our Executive Programs in Health Policy and Management. This quarter’s newsletter is a celebration of the innovation, scholarship, and community that define the EMPH and MHA programs. 

We look forward to seeing many of you next week, May 18th, for the annual HPMAA Leaders of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow Dinner. This is always a highlight of the year, where we will honor our graduating class, announce the EMPH Sinaiko Business Plan Award winners, and recognize our scholarship recipients. We will also celebrate the induction of our newest members into the Delta Omega and Upsilon Phi Delta honorary societies. Please note the venue-change to the Bel-Air Bay Club. 

Don’t miss our faculty spotlight on Tom Gordon, who teaches Leadership in the final quarter of EMPH program. Students benefit from his 22 years of invaluable experience as Executive Vice President of Cedars-Sinai Health System. He created a culture of family at Cedars, and he brings this very same energy into the classroom.  

This newsletter also highlights the careers of graduates Monique Trinh, MHA, Aneliese Castro, JD, MPH, and Natalie Yragui, MPH. Plus, don’t miss our Q&As with Zach Ambroziak and TJ Alba on their MHA capstone projects. Impressive work! 

We also look back at the inspiring visit from UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk in January, who shared his profound global health journey with our EMPH students. 

I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize our Winter Quarter 2026 MHA Graduates who completed their degrees on March 20th, and at the same time welcome our 16 new Spring Quarter MHA candidates who began their journey on March 30th: Hadeel Ali (MHA Spring Quarter Scholarship Recipient), Jonathan Beccera, Tina Bender, Denis Bueno, Arpine Chakryan, Steven Garcia, Kevin Gerlach, Kehlin Hayes, Martin Hernandez, Megan Minniti, Melissa Nieves, Elaisa Ramirez, Adrian Salazar, Bao Trinh, Rhonda Weaver, and Nicole Zermeno. 

You’ll find all this plus this quarter’s career updates on our illustrious EMPH and MHA alumni.  

I’m looking forward to celebrating our 2026 graduates at our ExecHPM Grad Luncheon and UCLA Commencement on June 12th. 

All my best, 

Kyle Sullivan, MSW 

Executive Director, Executive Programs in HPM