How UIC’s Master of Healthcare Administration Program Helped Frank Mueller See the Bigger Picture in Healthcare

In this interview, Frank Mueller, the Senior Strategy Director at Elevance Health, shares how UIC’s Master of Healthcare Administration program played a crucial role in his career. The program provided immense value as it helped him zoom out and gain a more strategic and comprehensive view of healthcare. UIC’s MHA program equipped him with the tools to make decisions in a complex industry, including policy issues like navigating Medicare and Medicaid and leading large-scale transformation projects.

Frank speaks highly of UIC’s MHA program as it sharpened his leadership and communication skills. However, as an alumnus, he not only gained valuable insights into the field but also became connected to a network of healthcare professionals who continue to support him to this day. Frank’s story is a testament to the power of education, hard work, and building strong professional relationships for anyone looking to advance their career in healthcare administration.

Tell us about yourself.

I actually started as a summer intern at UIC’s School of Public Health as an undergrad before realizing I would pursue public health as a career. I graduated with a degree in business management, knowing I wanted to go into healthcare but also wanting a break from school.

This led me to public health, where I was fortunate to work with the City of Chicago on consulting projects under Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration. I did analytic work on healthy vending options, establishing guidelines that linked nutritional content to pricing. That experience put me on a great trajectory early in my career.

From there, I moved into performance improvement consulting on the provider side. One of my clients, Ascension Healthcare, hired me, and that set me on a path of working with executives to lead large-scale transformational changes for both payers and providers. Over the years, I’ve led hospital turnarounds and worked on significant projects in performance improvement, project management, and change management.

Now, I’m a Senior Strategy Director at Elevance Health, focusing on Medicaid implementation and Medicare Advantage plans. My career has grown through opportunities where executives would tap me on the shoulder and ask, “Can you take this on, Frank?” I always said yes, and one thing led to another. Ultimately, it all comes down to building trust and leading teams, something I genuinely enjoy.

What are the most valuable skills you gained through the MHA program, and how have these skills contributed to your success in your current role?

One of the most valuable skills I gained was connecting the dots between policy and operations. In my work with Medicare and Medicaid at Elevance Health, I interact with many professionals who have legal backgrounds and now serve as administrators for these plans. Understanding the policies behind these programs has been crucial.

I wasn’t just dealing with Medicare and Medicaid processes; I now understood the “why” behind them. I learned all the acronyms, what CMS does, and the difference between Medicare as a national program and Medicaid at the state level. These are fundamental concepts, but you often dive straight into the details in the workforce without fully grasping the bigger picture.

This program helped me step back and see how everything fits together. That perspective made me a more effective leader, communicator, and healthcare executive because I could understand how policies shape the industry and how they influence the decisions we make every day.

Another important skill I learned was in healthcare financing. It wasn’t necessarily a tool or method, but I gained a much deeper understanding of how hospital budgeting works. The budgeting process in hospitals is unique, and that deep dive filled in gaps for me. It has since been instrumental in my role in navigating the financial side of healthcare more effectively.

Was there a specific project you found particularly valuable in the MHA program?

The first project that stood out to me was the HPA 430 Introduction to Health and Policy course. We had to write case briefs, which, at the time, were tough to get through after a long workday. But looking back, it was one of the best assignments I ever did. We tackled comprehensive topics like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, writing four-page policy descriptions on each. At times, we could share our opinions, while other times, we focused on summarizing key details. It was like crafting concise, Wikipedia-style overviews of significant healthcare policies, which helped me piece everything together in a meaningful way. That assignment gave me a broader perspective that still shapes my approach today.

Another valuable experience was working on real-life case studies led by professors who were also industry executives. For example, Dr. Ed Rafalski, now my mentor, had us develop an entire business case for a hospital they were considering building. That project wasn’t just theoretical; it was actual work that could be applied in the real world. It made me appreciate the program’s value because it wasn’t about abstract learning. It was about solving real challenges in healthcare.

How did you balance the demands of the MHA program with your work/life commitments?

I leaned on my peers and professors. The program had a collaborative environment where we shared advice, supported each other, and found ways to manage the workload together. It was demanding, but it taught me a lot about time management and how much a 15-minute power nap can do to get you through the day.

Many students were clinicians balancing work, school, and family, so a shared camaraderie existed. The friendships and networking opportunities were invaluable. Having peers who understood the healthcare industry’s challenges made the experience even more meaningful.

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

The benefits have been both direct and indirect. In terms of career advancement, the program helped fast-track my growth. More importantly, it changed the way I think about leadership. Before, I focused on perfecting spreadsheets or specific tasks. This program shifted my perspective to understand leadership dynamics at a higher level. The case studies and coursework mirrored accurate executive decision-making, and being in a class with experienced professionals allowed me to absorb their knowledge. At the time, I was a senior manager, which was a significant role, but there was a gap in logic between where I was and where they were. Learning from them helped me bridge that gap and accelerate my career.

Beyond that, the network I built has been invaluable. If I ever want to move to a different health system, I have classmates across the country I can contact. It’s a tight-knit group, and we look out for each other.

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

I’d say it’s a great program if you know you want to work in healthcare and have a passion for it. I would advise doing your research, talking to the faculty, and seeing if you can connect with a current student to get their input. When I made my decision, it was quick and easy. I followed my gut, and I’m glad I did.

But really, make sure the program’s structure feels right for you. Can you see yourself interacting with the professors? Does the learning environment match your personality and how you engage? I looked at other programs and thought, this is way too buttoned-up for me. That wouldn’t have worked for my personality. So, take the time to weigh the pros and cons and choose the program that aligns with your goals and learning style.

Another piece of advice is to take full advantage of that network. There’s this unspoken understanding that if you go to UIC, we want to help you succeed.

The alum board is actively working to strengthen those connections, expanding outreach across the country so students and graduates can tap into a vast professional network. If you’re considering a career move, whether into hospital administration, consulting, or Big Pharma, there’s likely someone in the MHA network who can help open doors.

UIC is also launching a mentoring program where incoming students can receive coaching from alums who have been in their shoes. I strongly encourage new students to take part in this. It’s a great way to gain career insights and build lasting relationships.