28 Feb Highlights From UCLA MHA Immersion Winter Quarter 2026
The UCLA Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is a fully online program, but twice during the program students travel to the UCLA campus for MHA Immersion, three days of professional development, strategic networking, and campus life. From February 26-28, 2026, MHA candidates gathered on the UCLA campus during Winter Quarter for a schedule designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world executive leadership.
After introductions and a campus tour, Immersion 1 student started on their hospital site visits as they were introduced to the Los Angeles healthcare ecosystem and provided an opportunity to build their network.
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center: Under the supervision of Drew Weil, Senior Director of Hospital Operations, Integration & Activation Planning, the UCLA Health Fellows Guy Morgan, Marissa Hernandez, and Joshua Melton 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.
“I really enjoyed visiting medical clinics and hospitals and getting to meet their team,” one student shared. “I loved my classmates. I was glad I was able to see them in person for the first time which was amazing.”
MHA Program Director Dr. Laura Erskine led a pubic speaking workshop for Immersion 2 and in the afternoon the career programming continued with a career panel discussion featuring Vrushangi Shah, MHA, Christopher Lee, MPH, and Emma White, MPH. The panel offered advice and shared their first-hand insights on administrative fellowships. Vrushangi is the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program Manager at UCLA Health and Vice President of Emerging Leaders and Podcast Host for The Fellowship Review, American Journal of Healthcare Strategy (AJHCS).
MHA Immersion 2 also provides an opportunity for students to participate in a real-world consulting experience. Dr. Erskine led Immersion 2 students through a specialized case study to prepare them and the following day the session culminated in a mini-case competition where teams pitched strategic solutions. Congratulations to Team 4, who took home the win: MHA Students William Jasper Blackman, Lucia Montiano, Gisela Loa Nieto, Rosie Oganesian, and Leidy Brigith Rivas. And for the first time, our guest panel of judges were all UCLA MHA Alumni! Special thanks to Tiffany Wong, MHA, Phebe Sihn, MHA, Brandy Duong, MHA, and Monique Trinh, MHA for your valuable time and expert feedback (all pictured above with Dr. Laura Erskine). Any UCLA MHA graduates interested in serving on the next panel at MHA Immersion should reach out to MHA Student Affairs Officer Jenna Mendoza, MA.
Immersion 1 students focused on personal leadership through a Gallup StrengthsFinder workshop led by Jenna Mendoza. By identifying their core talents, students gained actionable insights to leverage their unique strengths in their current and future management roles. Immediately following, the students were introduced to Susie Yu, MA, Founder of SKY Career Counseling and Vice President of Strategic Engagement at Synapticure, who led a career coaching workshop and worked one-on-one with students to offer interview tips as well as personalized feedback on their resumes.
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 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.
The experience culminated with a Farewell Reception held at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center where students had an opportunity to have their professional headshot taken and network with faculty and alumni as well as Executive MPH students and graduates. Many of the students participating in the newly launched ExecHPM Mentorship Program had a chance to meet up for meaningful discussions with their alumni mentors.
UCLA MHA Immersion 1 and 2 are required courses in the curriculum. Students must enroll in the course to participate. We look forward to seeing our students back on campus for the MHA Spring Quarter Immersion, April 23-25, 2026.