Sarah Bixby, M.B.A./M.H.A. 2016
Sarah Bixby, M.B.A./M.H.A., is making an impact in health administration. An alumna of the 2016 M.B.A./M.H.A. class, Bixby is Senior Consultant for BKD. In this Q&A, she discusses her career, why she chose SLU for her master of business administration / master of health administration, and the future of health administration.
Why did you pursue a degree from SLU?
Pursing my degree at SLU was an opportunity to enhance my leadership skills while studying at one of the best and oldest programs in the world. I was looking for a program that would provide me with more than just a degree and SLU's program offered a comprehensive education and a strong alumni network. Overall, being able to see where alumni hold careers, how involved they were across the country and the opportunity to be part of a program that fosters diversity was what really drew me to SLU.
Which course(s) were most beneficial to your career goals?
Although I’m a consultant in finance and operations, I find that I utilize the teachings from our policy course more often than anything else. Understanding and being able to synthesis the impact that a regulation or program can have on any one of my clients is a major factor in being their trusted advisor. To best serve my clients I have to consume a lot of information at a macro level and identify the impact on a micro level. In order to do that effectively I utilize the same processes our policy course taught us, the only difference is that I communicate through numbers rather than a brief or paper.
“You either evolve or you disappear.”
-Sarah Bixby, M.B.A./M.H.A.
What have you enjoyed most about your career?
I enjoy the challenge of it. Healthcare is a complex environment to work in and I thrive in that world. I also love knowing that I can help an organization be successful so that they can continue to help people and give back to their communities.
What do you think will be a crucial topic or issue regarding healthcare over the next ten years?
I think creating financial stability will be a crucial issue for organizations over the next few years. The changes in reimbursement are continuing and the two reimbursement methods (fee-for-service and value-based programs) are in direct conflict with each other. This complex reimbursement landscape will likely continue to cause pain points for organizations over the next few years. All of this is occurring while organizations' expenses increase, specifically around physician practices. According to the AMGA 2017 Medical Group Operations and Finance Survey, physician losses increased 7.5 percent between 2016 and 2017 to $140,856 per physician. So it will be very important for organizations to understanding physician practice economics in order to address physician profitability and prepare for risk-based contracts.
If you had a motto or words to live by, as they relate to the evolving field of healthcare, what would it be?
“You either evolve or you disappear.” My drive is to leave the world a little better than I found it and I can only do that if I learn, improve and help others. I have to grow and evolve to be my best self. We all have to grow and this motto pertains to most industries but especially healthcare. As it relates to healthcare - if you don’t refine what you do and how you do it, you’ll get left behind. You have to learn and change in order to improve performance and outcomes not only for your organization but also for your patients. To give your communities the best and maintain a healthy organization you have to be your best and that requires evolution.
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. Click here to learn more.