5 Lessons on Healthcare Leadership from UIC Professor Mary Jo Smith

The University of Illinois Chicago’s Online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree prepares students to step into leadership in healthcare with the skills to manage people, teams, and organizations in today’s complex health systems. Among the courses offered is HPA 425: Healthcare Human Resource Management, taught by Professor Mary Jo Smith. She brings decades of expertise in healthcare human resources while also serving as Senior Vice President of HR for Franciscan Health Alliance Health System, where she oversees 19,000 employees across 12 hospitals and multiple clinics.

When designing her course, Smith draws directly from her own professional background in HR in healthcare and the lessons she has learned from other leaders in the field. “Any real-life examples, articles, or resources I can provide are meant to help students understand what they’ll face as leaders,” she says.

Smith’s career in healthcare began as a UIC undergraduate through a preceptor course at Rush University Medical Center. This classroom experience led to her first full-time role in the field. Today, she remains motivated by the same principle that sparked her career: caring for those who care for others. Here are five lessons in healthcare leadership she shares with future healthcare administrators.

1. Take care of those who take care of others

What keeps me in healthcare, specifically human resources, is that I believe strongly in taking care of those who care for others. Patients are at their most vulnerable times, whether you’re having a baby or dealing with an illness, and it’s the employees who step in with compassion and skill.

HR might not be at the bedside, but we ensure the right people are in the right jobs, have the training, tools, and support they need, and have career ladders and pipelines to help them grow. From hire to retire, it’s about making sure employees are equipped to provide the best possible care.

2. Empathy and listening are non-negotiables

The first quality I think every healthcare leader needs is empathy. You have to put yourself in another person’s shoes to really understand their needs.

The second is listening. Sometimes, the most important thing a leader can do is just stop and listen, which ties directly back to empathy. Both are critical if you want to build trust and truly lead others.  Listening and being open to feedback allows leaders to learn.

3. Continuous learning and process improvement shape the future of healthcare

Leaders need to embrace continuous learning. Surround yourself with people who can challenge you and push you to grow. You’ll never have all the answers as a leader, but if you’re constantly learning, you’ll continually improve.

Along with that mindset comes process improvement. Healthcare organizations are constantly asked to do more with less, and leaders must look for ways to deliver services more efficiently while producing better patient outcomes. Healthcare is an ever-changing environment, and you have to be ready to adapt. The ability to lead through change and even see it as an opportunity sets successful leaders apart.

4. Align your career with an organization’s values

One of the most important things I’ve learned is to ensure the organization you work for aligns with your values. It’s not just about the job title or the paycheck; it’s about whether the mission connects with your passion. When your personal values align with your workplace, you’re more engaged, more fulfilled, and ultimately more successful.

5. Build your network and never stop asking questions

Networking has been critical throughout my career. Healthcare may seem big, but it’s actually a small world, and the connections you build can open doors you never expected.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to others and ask questions. You don’t know what you don’t know. When you’re willing to seek advice and feedback, you’ll find opportunities for growth that you might have missed otherwise.

Final Advice for UIC Online Master of Healthcare Administration Students

Maximize the tools and resources you’re given in UIC’s Online MHA degree program.

Even though it’s online, interact with your peers and connect with faculty. Use every opportunity, even outside of assignments, to ask questions and learn.

Those conversations can give you insights that will help shape your career.