ACHE is thrilled to have had Morgan E. Krizan spend the summer with us as the 2022 Summer Enrichment Program intern. She is working toward earning her Master of Business Administration degree from Concordia University—St. Paul. Get to know Morgan in the Q&A below.
- How did you become interested in healthcare management?
I grew up in a town with a population of 800 in rural North Dakota. Those 800 individuals all raised me into the person I am today, and I knew that no matter what I did in life, I wanted to serve people. I developed an interest in leadership during my time as a member of the National FFA Organization, a youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. As an FFA member, I served as the chapter president, 2015–2018, and the state vice president, 2018–2019. The last line of the FFA motto, “Living to Serve,” is forever instilled in me. Therefore, I knew that I wanted to serve people in a leadership capacity.
I developed a passion for healthcare when a new family moved to town my sophomore year of high school. Growing up in a small town, everyone around me had a similar background and upbringing regarding race, religion and socioeconomic status. This was a low-income family with six children. Therefore, when one of their sons, who is now my fiancé, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, they were not able to afford insulin. When I met my fiancé, he was rationing his medication, skipping doses and missing meals. It was then that I made it my lifelong goal to combine my passion for people and leadership to ensure that all people have access to proper healthcare, which is something I was privileged to have my entire life.
- Why did you join ACHE, and how did you engage with the organization as a student?
Despite being a student in a Master of Business Administration in healthcare management program, I did not have a professional home. Fortunately, I was matched with ACHE by the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity’s Summer Enrichment Program. I joined ACHE as a Student Associate, but I wish that I had signed up sooner during my studies. I immediately started to take advantage of ACHE’s many offerings, including registering for the 2022 Spring Virtual Leadership Symposium. I also reached out to my local chapter as well as surrounding chapters to get involved in any capacity I could. After I return home to North Dakota, I plan to continue to be an ACHE member with the goal to serve at the chapter level and someday earn the FACHE® credential.
- Describe the opportunities you have had as an intern through the Summer Enrichment Program.
I’ve spent time in each of ACHE’s departments to see how they all contribute to the organization’s mission, vision and strategy. I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with each department to complete projects and assignments related to improving the member experience. Finally, I’ve traveled to various healthcare organizations around Chicago to experience how the work ACHE is doing is being implemented in the field. I got to visit Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville, Loyola University Medical Center, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, as well as meet with multiple representatives at the Illinois Health and Hospital Association.
- What are your career goals, and how will you stay involved in ACHE?
My career goals include completing my Master of Business Administration in healthcare management as well as certificates in healthcare compliance and healthcare policy. After graduation, I would like to begin working in the healthcare field in a role that contributes to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities. This may be in a metropolitan area or in a rural area. Although I do not know where my career journey will take me, I know that I want to dedicate my life to improving the health of my community. I look forward to the time of my career where I can directly see the impact that my healthcare leadership skills have made on people’s health and wellness.
I also have goals as an ACHE member. Currently, North Dakota only has about 70 members, and only four of those are students, including myself. It is my goal to increase the awareness level of North Dakota healthcare students and professionals about the value of ACHE to grow our membership. I hope to someday serve at the chapter level, become more involved at the national level and eventually become a Fellow.
- How can Student Associates make the most of their ACHE membership?
ACHE is a nationally recognized professional healthcare association that offers many tools for Student Associates. The website includes the Career Resource Center, which offers career assessments, a resume review, an interview toolkit, coaching and a job center. The Learning Center offers educational newsletters, magazines, journals, books and webinars, plus information on in-person events. There are also numerous networking events and educational programs hosted at the chapter level in which students can expand their network and their knowledge. ACHE also offers two scholarships to graduate students, with one specifically tailored for those that are racially and/or ethnically diverse and/or LGBTQ. Don’t forget to check out the Directory of Postgraduate Administrative Fellowships on ache.org!
Morgan E. Krizan is ACHE’s intern through the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity’s Summer Enrichment Program in 2022. Learn more about the program and how organizations can serve as host sites.