Kwamane Liddell, J.D./M.H.A. 2018
Saint Louis University alumnus Kwamane Liddell (M.H.A./J.D. '18) is the recipient of the CAHME Tim Campbell Scholarship, the ACHE Albert W. Dent Scholarship, and the 2019 SLU HMP Mentorship Alumni Award. Liddell reflects on why he chose SLU for his M.H.A./J.D., what he enjoys most about his career, and his perspective on the future of health care.
Why did you pursue an M.H.A. from SLU?
When I served as an emergency department nurse in Chicago, I had the opportunity to work in two very busy hospitals. Although they were close in proximity, there was a drastic difference in the resources that were available. The hospital that primarily served an indigent and culturally diverse community lacked the staff and equipment necessary to provide high-quality care. I found that underserved communities across the nation had similar struggles, and the experience inspired me to learn how I could bridge the gap and ensure that those communities received equitable care.
Saint Louis University’s highly-ranked Master of Health Administration and Juris Doctor programs combined with its mission-based teaching proved to be the perfect fit for me. The University delivered on its promise, as professors and leaders in both programs supported me as I pursued my personal and professional goals.
Which course(s) were most beneficial to your career goals?
Health care financing in the United States is complex, so courses like Health care Accounting, Health care Finance, Health care Organizations, and Health care Business and Financial Planning were extremely beneficial. These courses helped me gain a better understanding of how financial decisions impact various stakeholders, including patients, the government, and providers, as well as the importance of practicing responsible stewardship with a limited supply of resources.
The most beneficial experience in graduate school was representing Saint Louis University in the Everett v. Fox Student Case Competition, where we placed second. My teammates and I competed against more than 30 M.H.A. programs from across the nation as we created a strategy to care for vulnerable populations in Oakland, California.
Before the competition began, our professors at SLU and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives made themselves available after-hours to help us apply the knowledge gained from our courses to develop practical solutions to real-world problems. The experience fostered lifelong relationships and helped me develop as a leader.
If we listen to patients, they will tell us how healthcare should evolve."
-Kwamane Liddell
What do you like most about your current role as Administrative Fellow at Dignity Health?
Each day, I get an opportunity to use my education, experience and creativity to improve the care that patients receive. When I left bedside patient care, I was worried that I would not feel fulfilled in my role. Although I see far fewer broken bones and blood draws than in the emergency department, I get a chance to empower providers to improve patient care in the acute care setting and the community.
What do you think will be a crucial topic or issue regarding health care over the next ten years?
A crucial issue in health care over the next 10 years will be providing high-quality care to more people in the right setting. I recently read an article from the American Hospital Association that predicted the number of people over 65 would increase from 41 million in 2011 to 71 million in 2029.
As the baby boomers age, we will need to bolster collaboration among providers and community organizations, improve technological connectivity between entities, and enhance investments in preventive and health education. I see opportunities for health systems to partner with “disruptors” and use their agility to provide more access points for patients.
About SLU's Department of Health Management and Policy
Established in 1947, the Department of Health Management and Policy at the Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice is among the oldest academic programs of its type. It is home to the Master of Health Administration, which was awarded Program of the Year by AUPHA, and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
SLU’s M.H.A. program is ranked No. 13 by U.S. News & World Report and the Health Law program ranks No. 1 in the country.