TAMIU Personal Statement

Leadership in a healthcare setting requires a great breath of knowledge specific to healthcare and but it also requires soft skills that can be translated to many other professional endeavors. This essay will examine the leadership style of a specific healthcare professional, the strategies and skills that she uses to motivate their staff members and the results or impacts of the application of the skills and knowledge of leadership. The interview of this leader allowed an insight into the inner workings of both the leader herself, but also into the challenges that her organization faces. A more thorough understanding of organizational leadership and culture in particular could benefit this leader and provide this leader with additional

On a more personal level, the Leadership Program has taught me the value of time management, organization, and confidence. Each of these characteristics was developed through the personal service project that I designed. My personal project was focused on my area of interest, dietetics. I chose to work with pediatric obesity patients at the University Children's Hospital. Lori Hardford, a local dietician, and myself will be holding a five week seminar with these children. During these five weeks we will work to teach the children the importance of good nutrition through hands on activities. The main emphasis will be to teach the obese children the four food groups, balanced meals, portion sizes, and healthy snack options. Then during the fifth week, the group will meet to play a game (similar to trivial pursuit) that reflects on what they have learned the previous four sessions. By planning my individual project, time management was essential. I had to balance my class load with planning the project and meeting with Lori Hardford. It was very difficult to find time when both Lori and I were available to talk.

Above the requirement of my master’s degree program to complete an administrative residency for a period of 9 to 12 months, my decision to pursue a fellowship at a hospital was based on the educational and professional opportunities the program provides. The practical experience and exposure across the organization will truly lay the groundwork for a successful career and bridge the gap between academic theory and technology and practical application. Leadership is an applied skill, but too often, it is left to chance as something to be picked up on the job. Progressing as a successfully leader requires more. The fellowship will provide opportunities to develop and strengthen my leadership skills, which will maximize my level of contribution in a permanent entry-level position and increase my marketability significantly.

The concepts of leadership, “to assist people to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical,” (Mission and vision, n.d.), fit within the mission of Siena Heights University because the institution fosters the growth of leaders by incorporating skills outside of the classroom. Educators have long known that a significant portion of student learning in college occurs outside the classroom and that faculty-student interaction is an important part of the college experience. (Cox, B. E., & Orehovec, E., 2007, p. 357). Significant research has demonstrated the importance of interaction between faculty members and students, both in and outside of the classroom (Cox, B. E., & Orehovec, E., 2007, p. 343). Faculty members possess a great deal of knowledge that can be imparted to student. This knowledge could be educational, life skills, and personal experiences that allow the student a contextual view point.

Coming from a small town on the east coast, I would have never expected to fall in love with such a large and diverse college like the University of Michigan. The upbeat atmosphere of Ann Arbor alone was enticing enough before I even saw the actual campus. Upon visiting, I quickly realized the University of Michigan was a place I would not mind spending my next couple of years. From the countless students all around to the wide variety of shops in town, Ann Arbor seemed like a lively and exciting place to spend my college experience. While walking through the campus, I was continuously amazed by the large intricate buildings surrounding me. Some of my favorites included the Law Library, the College of LSA and the Michigan Union. While I do not plan on attending it, the Ross School of Business was also an incredible

The value and leadership skills in healthcare are both very professions are vital skills that are needed to provide everyday care (Graber, 2008). This literature review will explore the important values and leadership in health care. The review will provide the understandings of both topics. The term value can be determined by a person's standards and principles (Gaudine & Beaton, 2002). According to Grojean, Resick & Diskson (2004) leadership, is an actual way to improve patient`s. A good leader is said to reveal certain roles and behaviors that influence others in the way of positive change and direction. Viinamäki, (2009) back these same ideas but also have confidence in that there is a difference between value and leadership. They believe that leaders are viewed as individuals who can connect through motivation, visions, and inspire positive directions to generate company and organizational change. Graber (2008) impression of leadership can be understood as the capability of one person to impact the behaviors and actions of other people.

As a child I learned about the world primarily by experimenting rather than asking someone. That being said, I have had my fair share of failures such as baking gummy bears in cookies. However, I have also had much success. While the rest of my class was growing crystals for our science fair, I was piecing together a coyote skeleton. In high school, I conducted scientific research on drought signals amongst soybeans at varying distances. This research not only took me to the State Science Fair, but the International Science and Engineering Fair as well. I fell into a fascination of science at a young age, and I have a desire to continue on this path. The REU program offered at Tarleton is not only superb in research, but a great fit to me as

At the beginning of this course, “Collaboration, Communication, & Case Analysis for Health Care Master’s Learners”, I had a generalized definition of what a leader is. A leader is an individual who overlooks an organization. However, I learned that the definition of a leader or leadership is much more complex than that. An effective leader is ethical, sensitive to diversity, and has the ability to form strong relationships. Currently, I do not hold a professional leadership position. However, I am taking courses in the public health field and taking nursing classes to become an infection prevention nurse.

TAMIU has helped me grow as an individual by expanding my knowledge base and allowing me to take another step closer to reaching my goal of attaining a rewarding university experience. After I read the mission statement, values, and vision of TAMIU, I felt amazed of knowing that this is an opportunity for me to explore my leadership potential. For example, my involvement in the student organization called Freshman Leadership Organization sharpened my leadership skills while encouraging moral ethics. As a student who is pursuing a career in the health care field as an optometrist, obtaining these two attributes will help me become a successful doctor. I believe that great leadership skills in a professional setting are crucial in order to cooperate

Promoting women’s equality in the workplace has been a central focus throughout my professional life. As a journeywoman carpenter (prior to my current academic career), I volunteered as a project leader for the Oregon Tradeswomen Inc., OTI (http://www.tradeswomen.net/) in Portland, Oregon. In this role, I taught women in OTI’s apprentice program introductory skills that allowed them to enroll in various trade union training programs throughout the Pacific Northwest. The goal of this work was simple, to increase the number of women in careers that were predominately male-dominated. At every stage of my academic career, I’ve made a concerted effort to mentor female students, and took great joy in watching them succeed. I believe that serving

Another leadership skill that I will gain from Xavier university will be empathy. For me to become a good leader I must be able to understand and connect with the people around me. This skill will be very beneficial once I am finishing my education in optometry school and beyond that point in my life. Since I will be connecting with my fellow colleagues in the clinics. Another leadership characteristic that I must possess will be confidence.

As I am paving my career path for a higher responsibility in the future, I have come to a realization that a higher education is the key to a better tomorrow. I believe that leaders are not born, they are made. Leaders are those that truly understand themselves and understand the various elements of human nature. Communication is the most telling trait of an effective leader; if a leader can empower followers to clearly understand the message, production and success are the result. I learned that by taking this course on higher education this will develop and mold me with the critical and analytical skills that will enable me to compete with other healthcare professionals.

Before taking the leadership class I viewed leaders and managers the same and I was thinking that only a few people at the top of an organization can lead. However I was wrong and today I view leadership as the challenge and responsibility of every individual with potential to make a difference. Today, I view leadership as a social influence. It is initiating and guiding and the result is change. Leadership is more art than science and more skill than knowledge (Manning, p.61).

As I began this Leadership in Education course, I entered with an open mind and eagerness to learn about varying leadership styles and approaches. Over the years, I have fortunately been exposed to numerous genuine, caring, exceptional leaders in higher education. They all shared one commonality: student-centeredness. This has been my compass and guides me in my work. Through this course, I wanted to learn how I can better support students, whether directly or indirectly by leading other professionals and para-professionals in their work with students.

When reflecting on my experience as both a student and a life learner, I never would have considered myself a leader. In fact, I have always been the shy kid who hides in the back of the class and panics whenever it is their turn to respond to a question. College however provided me with an opportunity to develop myself as a leader. I became more active in school activities and actively sought out leadership roles. As I’ve progressed in my professional life, I’ve become more interested in what it takes to make a strong leader. When assuming leadership roles, I’ve always considered myself an authentic leader but I know I’ve often struggled in detailing clear goals for my group or organization. Thankfully, Enrolling in the effective