A Journey to Healthcare Leadership: Myriam Guillen’s Success with UIC’s Master of Healthcare Administration Program

With nearly two decades of experience in various areas, from quality improvement to patient safety, healthcare technology, and operations, Myriam Guillen has built a career focused on making healthcare systems perform better for both patients and providers.

When she decided to pursue her Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at UIC, it wasn’t just about earning a degree. It was about gaining the tools to take her impact even further. Now serving as Chief of Staff to the ACCESS Community Health Network CEO, Guillen plays a critical role in organizational strategy and decision-making.

Looking back, she credits UIC’s MHA program with expanding her knowledge, sharpening her leadership skills, and introducing her to a network of professionals who continue to support her career. For those considering the program, her experience offers valuable insight into what makes UIC stand out as a top choice for healthcare professionals looking to advance their careers.

Can you provide a brief overview of your background?

I’ve been in healthcare for almost 19 years, with most of my experience in quality, patient safety, and operations. I’ve worked in research, military health, consulting, health tech, and now at a Federally Qualified Health Center. My career started in quality improvement in research, which I initially fell into after college. I was unsure what I was doing, but I was interested in healthcare.

Back then, nursing dominated the field of quality improvement so as someone who wasn’t a nurse and didn’t aspire to be one, I didn’t see a career path for myself in that area. Instead, I experimented with starting my own company. However, I quickly realized my passion for healthcare and returned to the field three years later. While I have an entrepreneurial spirit, being part of a larger mission was key for me. I’ve carried that value through all my jobs, and I know I’ll end my career in healthcare, as it’s a field I truly love. I love that my contributions make a difference in people’s lives.

I enrolled in UIC’s MHA program because of its reputation, mainly being part of the School of Public Health. The program was also geared towards people with professional experience, which adds a lot to discussions. I think it’s different from going straight from undergrad to a master’s program. Being with people with similar interests and objectives in their education was impactful.

What are the most valuable skills you gained through UIC’s Master of Healthcare Administration degree?

The courses I took in the MHA program provided a well-rounded experience, especially in areas I hadn’t had much exposure to before. For example, my marketing health course was extremely beneficial. Healthcare is both a service and a business, and understanding how to target patient populations and use healthcare marketing strategies was essential. The Health Economics course was another favorite, and I had the opportunity to research healthcare systems around the world and evaluate their pros and cons.

The finance courses were also crucial. I am currently the employee of a former CFO and am confident during finance conversations because of what I learned in the course. With today’s changes in federal funding and trends in healthcare policy, having this financial foundation helps me understand the implications and have informed conversations about them.

Additionally, public health and healthcare law courses gave me a deeper understanding of healthcare policy, helping me anticipate changes in the industry. In my current role as an advisor to our CEO, I can proactively address potential challenges, evaluate risks, and help guide our responses. The MHA program equipped me with the tools to interpret complex information and anticipate the impact of changes, which is a key part of my job.

Was there a specific project or assignment you found particularly valuable during the MHA program?

One of the most valuable projects I worked on was in my marketing class, where my group and I designed wraparound healthcare services for African American women with breast cancer. This project blended knowledge from various areas and allowed us to create a real-world proposal. It was a great introduction to developing cohesive proposals to go to market with, something I’ve done extensively in my career since then. This hands-on experience was incredibly valuable and directly transferable to my current work.

Since completing the MHA program, have you seen any direct benefits in your career?

Since graduating from the MHA program, I’ve gained more confidence in my career. The program helped confirm things I already knew and taught me things I didn’t know before. It’s also made me confident enough to converse with senior leadership and hold my own without feeling intimidated. In the healthcare field, credentials do count, and having an MHA has added credibility to my expertise. An MHA or MBA was a job description requirement for my current role so I might not have been offered my current role without that. Overall, the degree has undoubtedly opened doors and provided more opportunities for advancement.

What advice would you offer someone considering enrolling in UIC’s MHA program?

My advice for someone considering enrolling in UIC’s MHA program is to get to know people across different functional areas within healthcare. The MHA can be applied in various settings, but most graduates typically work in health systems, medical groups, or hospitals. Being familiar with the operations of different departments, from operations to finance or CEOs, will be valuable. Networking and asking people about their day-to-day work and how they interact with other departments can provide helpful insights, especially for those new to the field.

The networking opportunities at UIC had the most significant impact on me. I’ve met people in the program I’m still in touch with, and I’m confident I can reach out to them when needed. It’s great to have lifelong colleagues with diverse expertise from all over the world. The relationships I formed go beyond just a degree. They’re real-world connections that have helped me in my career, and I can also offer support to them.

Note: Myriam Guillen completed the Master of Healthcare Administration program with the Executive Concentration. The degree has since been relaunched, as the Online Master of Healthcare Administration (Professional Concentration). While the delivery format has changed and the curriculum has been updated, the degree remains the same.