My journey to earning a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) from A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) was deeply rooted in a lifelong commitment to service, healthcare, and leadership. Before pursuing my DHA, I spent over a decade serving as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy, where I worked in surgical services specializing in urology. That experience provided me with a firsthand understanding of patient care, operational challenges within healthcare systems, and the profound responsibility healthcare professionals carry every day. Those years in the clinical environment shaped my desire to expand my impact beyond the operating room and into healthcare leadership and systems improvement.

As my career progressed, I transitioned into healthcare information technology and later became a Medical Service Corps officer specializing in health IT and cybersecurity. Through this work, I witnessed how digital transformation, electronic health records, and cybersecurity directly influence patient safety, operational efficiency, and national readiness within military medicine. These experiences motivated me to pursue advanced education that would allow me to better understand healthcare systems at a strategic level.

ATSU’s DHA program stood out to me because of its emphasis on leadership, real-world application, and the integration of health systems thinking with policy, technology, and organizational strategy. The program provided a rigorous yet supportive academic environment that challenged me to think critically about complex healthcare problems and to develop practical solutions grounded in research and experience.

One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the diverse community of healthcare professionals within my cohort. Learning alongside clinicians, administrators, and leaders from across the healthcare industry enriched every discussion and broadened my perspective on how different sectors approach healthcare challenges.

The DHA program strengthened my ability to analyze health systems, lead organizational change, and apply evidence-based decision-making. It also reinforced the importance of innovation and digital transformation in improving patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

Today, I serve as an Assistant Professor of Cyber Science at the United States Naval Academy, where I teach and mentor future military officers on cybersecurity, healthcare systems, and the protection of critical health infrastructure. My education at ATSU continues to influence how I approach teaching, research, and leadership. I strive to prepare the next generation of leaders to understand that cybersecurity in healthcare is not simply a technical issue; it is fundamentally about protecting patients, protecting providers, and protecting national security.

Earning my DHA from ATSU was more than an academic achievement; it was a transformative experience that strengthened my ability to lead, educate, and contribute to the future of healthcare. For anyone considering the ATSU-CGHS programs, I would say this: the journey will challenge you, but it will also expand your perspective, strengthen your leadership, and equip you to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare profession.

I am proud to be part of the ATSU-CGHS community and grateful for the role it has played in shaping my professional journey.