b'Healthcare-related fields represent about 22 percent of the United States gross national product, but there is a shortage of people who are familiar with the business side of healthcare, which directly affects the overall quality of the healthcare process, Hackbarth said. The deficiency is found all across the nation, including in South Georgia and we are trying to fulfill that need to support healthcare growth.The Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration Program is producing graduates capable of supporting the healthcare field throughComing from a business school, accounting, finance, logistics, marketing, office and project management, information technology,our students are much more disaster preparedness, and data analysis. familiar with current technologies and business processes.They are the same kinds of jobs any large business has,but they are focused on the needs and issues that areDr. Gary Hackbarthspecific to the healthcare industry, Hackbarth said. For example, I know that in the healthcare field, theres a real shortage of people who can do data analysis. We need better analysis of data to make better businessalready contributing to the healthcare industry even decisions. That has to do with lowering costs, beingbefore they graduate, said Hackbarth. Some students more efficient, and improving business processes.are paid to intern at large hospitals and doctors Were teaching our students to do all of those things. offices in the area, while other students volunteer for unpaid internships at hospices and other nonprofits In addition to business expertise, healthcarein an effort to give back to the community and gain administration students acquire knowledge onexperience for the next phase of their lives.healthcare coding, insurance, ethics, and law. Healthcare is highly regulated, so theres a lot forTo me the best thing about the program is the our students to know and be aware of, Hackbarthrequirement to find an internship, said Davis Roche, said. We make sure they are prepared and ready towho graduated from VSU in May 2018 with a go when they leave here. Students are also exposedBachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare to Systems, Applications, and Products (SAP)Administration. He worked as an administrative intern technology, information software utilized by 82at the Mayo Clinic in his hometown of Jacksonville, percent of medical devices worldwide.Florida, and also interned in the finance department at South Georgia Medical Center.Coming from a business school, our students are much more familiar with current technologies andI had a great experience in the healthcare business processes, Hackbarth said. They canadministration program, and after having completed usually run simulated companies and see financialmy internships, I see that I have a good foundation and marketing results. When they go to the realof general healthcare knowledge to rely on. Roches world, theyre already familiar with the type ofgoal is to one day run a hospital.software the healthcare industry is using, which gives them a competitive edge. In any new job theres aIts exciting to be in the business of making people learning curve, but were shortening the time it takesfeel better, Roche said. The management side of for a new hire to be productive. healthcare corrects policies and runs the hospital in a way that makes things more efficient and improves A staple of the Bachelor of Business Administrationthe outcome for patients. Its a field with a lot of in Healthcare Administration Program is thepotential to make a difference but at the same time a internships that students complete. As interns, theyrelot of opportunity to be successful.SPRING 2019 37'