USU MHAP Team Excels at UAB Health Administration Case Competition

The Uniformed Services University MHAP team distinguished themselves, earning a coveted spot among the top 12 teams advancing to the semifinals at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Health Administration Case Competition

The USU MHAP team competed at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Health Administration Case Competition. (Left to right: Lt. Tyson Goodrich, Cpt. Taylor Neuman, Ensign Brandon Andriot, Ensign David Rojas, and MHAP program director Lcdr. Christian Betancourt)
The USU MHAP team competed at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Health Administration Case
Competition. (Left to right: Lt. Tyson Goodrich, Cpt. Taylor Neuman, Ensign Brandon Andriot, Ensign David
Rojas, and MHAP program director Lcdr. Christian Betancourt) (Photo courtesy of Lcdr. Christian Betancourt)

March 7, 2024 by USU External Affairs

The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Health Administration Case Competition stands as a pinnacle event in the realm of healthcare administration education, gathering esteemed Master of Health Administration (MHA) programs from across the nation. From February 28 to March 1, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama, 42 CAHME-accredited MHA programs converged to address critical healthcare challenges. Among them, the MHAP student team from the Uniformed Services University (USU) made a notable impression.

A rectangular shaped award for the University of Alabama Birmingham Health Administration Case Competition, it says "SEMI-FINALIST" in the middle.
The MHAP student team earned a spot
among the top 12 teams advancing to
the semifinals of the UAB Health
Administration Case Competition.
(Photo courtesy of Lcdr. Christian
Betancourt)
Comprising Cpt. Taylor Neuman, Ensign Brandon Andriot, and Ensign David Rojas, under the mentorship of Lt. Tyson Goodrich and MHAP program director Lcdr. Christian Betancourt, the USU MHAP team showcased exemplary strategic acumen in the face of rigorous competition. Their task: to develop a comprehensive strategic plan tackling pediatric mental health issues within St. Louis, Missouri, while navigating resource constraints and prioritizing patient and healthcare worker safety within St. Louis Children’s Hospital & Barnes Jewish Behavioral Health.

Despite the formidable competition, the USU MHAP team distinguished themselves, earning a coveted spot among the top 12 teams advancing to the semifinals. This achievement underscores the caliber of education and training offered at the Uniformed Services University and reflects the dedication and talent of the students involved.

Presenting their strategic plan titled "Shifting Upstream: A 2024-2028 Strategic Plan for St. Louis Children’s Hospital & Barnes Jewish Behavioral Health," the USU MHAP team demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding pediatric mental health. Their plan not only addressed immediate concerns but also laid out a forward-looking roadmap for sustainable and impactful interventions.

Although the USU MHAP team did not progress to the final round, their podium finish in their inaugural appearance at the UAB competition is a testament to their capability and potential. Their commendable performance serves as an inspiration to future cohorts and underscores USU's commitment to producing leaders capable of addressing the most pressing healthcare challenges.

Congratulations are in order for Cpt. Taylor Neuman, Ensign Brandon Andriot, Ensign David Rojas, Lt. Tyson Goodrich, and Lcdr. Christian Betancourt for their outstanding representation of the Uniformed Services University at the UAB Health Administration Case Competition. Their achievements highlight the excellence and dedication that define the USU MHAP program and reinforce its position as a leader in healthcare administration education.