Our History

The Alumni Association of the Minnesota Program was created in 1948 to facilitate ongoing support of the Program and to continue fellowship among alumni. In 1977, the alumni established a foundation through which existing financial resources could be managed and new funds could be raised. In 1983, the Alumni Association and Foundation were merged and the Alumni Association/Foundation (AA/F) was created.

The AA/F is governed by a 24-member board of directors which broadly represents alumni of all class years, professional interests, and geographic regions.

The mission of the AA/F is to support vigorously the University of Minnesota Program in Healthcare Administration in its mission to educate superior quality healthcare administrators and promote quality in the practice of the profession by its alumni. To this end, the AA/F functions in the following ways:

• By providing routine and constructive advice regarding the Program's curriculum, policy,student recruitment, residencies and fellowships
• Assuring that the essential financial needs of the Program are met
• Sponsoring educational programs and career development activities designed to increase
• The knowledge and skills of alumni
• Encouraging leadership by alumni and recognizing notable achievements; promoting cooperation, fellowship and mutual support among alumni; and
• By cultivating and preserving alumni commitment to the Program and its Alumni Association/Foundation.

The AA/F performs these function through a variety of activities which include the following:

The Biennial Alumni Institute

Begun in 1961, the Biennial Alumni Institute is a 2 day continuing education event for all alumni, faculty and students of the Program. The Institute presents a program of nationally recognized speakers, focusing on topics and issues of current and continuing interest to the profession.

Fund Development

To support the specific and ongoing resource needs of the Program and the Alumni Association, the AA/F invites the financial support of alumni through various efforts including targeted campaign efforts, an annual appeal and deferred giving. Through recent campaign efforts, alumni contributed over $600,000 to student scholarships. In 1992, alumni gave one million dollars to establish the James A. Hamilton Chair in Health Services Management.

The Educational Trust Fund

In 1955, the alumni of the Program created the Educational Trust Fund as a source of loans to students in the Program. For more than forty-five years, the Educational Trust Fund has provided loans at less-than-market interest rates and scholarships to students in the Program. Roughly 40% of students in each class benefit from the Educational Trust Fund.

Student Recruitment

Alumni of the Program assist in identifying and recruiting of outstanding students for the Program. Working in conjunction with the Program's admissions coordinator, alumni also participate in on-campus student interviews and in the selection of students for admission to the Program.

Mentorship Program

Each MHA student is paired with an alumni mentor in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area through the mentorship program. The purposes of the program are to provide students with a resource of healthcare management expertise and information outside of the classroom and to facilitate relationships between alumni and students.

Residencies and Fellowships

Alumni of the Program sponsor many of the residencies and administrative fellowships available to students each year. Working with these students and fellows, alumni play a key role in preparing students for their careers.

Awards and Recognition

To promote recognition of professional achievements among alumni and cultivate leadership the AA/F has established three awards:

• The James A. Hamilton Book Award - presented annually by the American College of Health Care Executives to an author of an outstanding book on management that can be applied to the health care field.
• The Vernon E. Weckwerth Award - alumni articles published in a national or regional journal, a book, or a monograph distributed by a national organization, are eligible for the Vernon E. Weckwerth Award. Selection is based upon current impact in the field, contribution to the administrative practice, and potential future effect on the practice.
• The Outstanding Service Award - awarded periodically to an alumnus with a history of outstanding service to and within the field of health care administration. Similarly, alumni of the Program have frequently been elected by their colleagues for national leadership positions in such organization as the American College of Health Care Executives, the American Hospital Association, the American Association of Healthcare Consultants and the Health Care Forum.

Additional awards, primarily for students, have also been established by various graduating classes and by the Program. These awards include:

• The James A. Hamilton Award for the greatest promise of achievement;
• The Class of 1972 Stewart C. Thomson Memorial Award in recognition of enthusiasm, fraternalism and selflessness;
• The Class of '54 Award in recognition of the best hospital clerkship report;
• The Sabra M. Hamilton Award in recognition of the best research thesis;
• The Class of 1981 Award for excellence in teaching, presented to a member of the faculty selected by the graduating class;
• The Bright M. Dornblaser Award in recognition of the best management project.

Student Scholarships

Through the generosity of alumni and friends of the Program, several scholarships for students have been established.

Curriculum Review

Alumni remain active in the ongoing development of the Program's curriculum. Each year, a segment of the curriculum is identified for review. In the review process alumni are involved in critiquing and offering suggestions or amending the curriculum in ways which provide the students with the most current and relevant training in the field.

Alumni Meetings and Gatherings

Fellowship among alumni is facilitated through a variety of alumni gatherings held in conjunction with major professional meetings throughout the United States. Activities are also organized within each of the AA/F's seven geographic regions.

Through its partnership with the Program, the Alumni Association/Foundation has helped significantly to ensure the tradition of excellence for which the Program is known. The Board of Directors is grateful to all alumni who have offered, and continue to offer, their support and they look forward to their participation in the future.