Students in Trinity University’s Master of Science in Health Care Administration (HCAD) program wrapped up a semester full of hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world healthcare experience. Through interactive classes, community engagement, and meaningful conversations with healthcare professionals, students strengthened the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in today’s complex healthcare environment.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
This semester emphasized experiential learning that encouraged students to think critically about healthcare delivery and equity. One of the most impactful in-class experiences was the Poverty Simulation, organized by second-year Student Inclusion Officers. The simulation placed students in scenarios faced by individuals living in poverty and highlighted how financial strain, transportation barriers, and limited resources can prevent patients from accessing care. The experience strengthened students’ understanding of how socioeconomic factors influence health behaviors and outcomes.
Another engaging activity, Friday Night in the ER, introduced students to hospital operations through an interactive simulation. Students managed patient flow, staffing, and limited resources while balancing quality, efficiency, and cost. The exercise demonstrated how small delays can ripple through an entire hospital system, reinforcing the importance of timely, strategic decision-making in healthcare leadership.
Community Impact Project
First-year students participated in the Community Impact Project (CIP), a hands-on initiative focused on addressing health challenges in local communities. Teams researched high-poverty zip codes in the San Antonio area, analyzed social determinants of health, and engaged directly with community needs. By identifying key challenges and developing targeted, realistic solutions, students saw how data-driven efforts can create meaningful change.
Departmental Assessment Project
Students gained a deeper understanding of hospital systems through the Departmental Assessment Project, which examined how individual departments operate and support patient care. By evaluating performance metrics, workflows, and operational challenges, students learned how cross-department collaboration directly impacts patient care and organizational performance.
Patient Experience Project
The Patient Experience Project provided a patient-centered perspective on healthcare delivery. Through analysis of patient feedback and satisfaction data, along with firsthand observation and shadowing, students developed recommendations to enhance patient experience and quality of care. Each group concluded the project by presenting thoughtful recommendations aimed at improving patient experience and satisfaction.
Pecha Kucha Presentations
The semester also emphasized communication and professional development through Pecha Kucha presentations, a fast-paced five-minute presentation format. Students presented self-selected healthcare topics clearly and creatively, strengthening their ability to communicate complex ideas concisely, a key skill for future healthcare leaders.
Friday Site Visits and Guest Speakers
Students participated in site visits and guest speaker sessions, engaging with healthcare executives and organizations across the region. These experiences connected classroom concepts to real-world practice and helped students explore diverse leadership paths.
Closing the Semester, Looking Ahead
As the semester comes to a close, HCAD students reflect on a term filled with growth, connection, and meaningful learning, while looking ahead with excitement to what lies next. The spring semester will bring hands-on experiences such as Tiger Tank, where students apply design thinking to real healthcare challenges and present innovative solutions to industry leaders, along with national healthcare case competitions that further develop analytical, teamwork, and communication skills. Students will also begin preparing for the Administrative Residency, a defining component of the program that offers paid, year-long leadership experience under the mentorship of senior healthcare executives. Together, these opportunities, along with the strong sense of community that defines the HCAD program, continue to prepare students for impactful and rewarding careers in healthcare leadership.