Welcome from the Chair

The newly created Department of Health Services Administration comes at a time of extraordinary need driven by rising health care costs, the 43 million uninsured Americans, the aging of the population, growing health disparities and the rise in man made and natural disasters. Amelioration of any and all of these factors requires a strong knowledge base in health care management and health services delivery systems and an understanding of the basic and core principles of public health. The Department of Health Services Administration combines these two areas in order to address local, state and national issues in health care systems, health care delivery and management, health services policy, disparities in access to care, long term care, chronic disease and disability care and financing and economics in public health services delivery. The faculty of the Department of Health Services Administration prepares graduate students for research and practices careers in health services delivery and administration, conducts relevant research and implements service and continuing education pertinent to these critical issue.

The primary mission of the new department is :

To prepare students for careers in the practice of public health and health services administration and to conduct research and service which strengthen health care delivery systems and their management.

The department is designed to integrate health service, public health and social welfare activities in order to address current health needs, provide leadership in a rapidly evolving health care industry, and anticipate future health challenges in an expanding global economy.

Students complete a rigorous, multi-disciplinary foundation in the core public health areas and in health policy, finance and health care economics, marketing, quality assessment and evaluation, leadership and communications, human resource management, information systems and health care organizations. They will have the opportunity for significant research and practice involvement with the extensive network of public health and health services organizations in Maryland and beyond. Graduates will work in an array of health care organizations including hospitals, long term care facilities, manage care organizations, rehabilitation entities, public health clinics and state agencies. Students will be able to pursue an Executive Master of Public Health (eMPH) in Public Health Practice and Policy (pending approval), a Master of Health Administration (MHA), or a doctorate (PhD) in health services.

The new department incorporates the existing Center on Aging, established in 1974. In addition, the department houses the Gliner Center for Humor Communication and Health, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and RSVP International. Current external funding comes from a wide variety of federal, foundation, state, local and private donor sources.

Keep posted on our website as we continue to grow and flourish.