By Lexi Rachal, Wildcats Media
Louisiana Christian University presented four CHRISTUS Health System employees with graduate certificates in healthcare administration at the hospital, Oct 18.
Before the ceremony began, LCU President Rick Brewer spoke to the awardees about their time in the program and about what sets LCU’s programs apart—faith and values.
“We are pleased to partner with the CHRISTUS Health Systemto offer a Certificate in Healthcare Management at the graduate level,” Brewer said. “Our shared mission for faith integration underscores the strength of this key academic offering under the umbrella of the Jonathan Martin MBA program at LCU. We are confident the Healthcare Management Certificate will produce transformational leaders for Christus Cabrini now and in the future.”
Monte Wilson, CEO of CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Health System, attended the ceremony and said the faith aspect of the program is what will bring more employees to it.
“Faith and values are what matters,” Wilson said. “There’s so many crazy things going on around here, and I think that will help to get more people engaged.”
Brewer presented each student with a certificate and invited them to complete one of LCU’s master’s programs and see him again to receive a diploma at graduation in full regalia.
Spencer Gauthreaux is the director of pharmacy at Cabrini in Alexandria and took part in the healthcare administration program. She said the program reinvigorated her learning spirit.
“I’ve been capable of doing things I never thought I’d be able to do,” she said. “It’s really been a great opportunity, so hopefully a lot more of our colleagues will get on board because I really think the two organizations have a lot in common that can be beneficial for everyone.”
Gauthreaux also said the program helped her in her faith journey and taught her how to include her faith in her leadership role.
“I loved just seeing how faith can be interwoven with everything,” she said. “We talked a lot about different styles of leadership, including servant leadership. So, I’m just looking at how you can include faith in that. It’s kind of a different perspective because a lot of times in business, that’s not the focus.”
Certificates were also awarded to Jeremiah Juneau, Sandra Lemoine and Charles Wise.
The ceremony concluded with LCU Executive Vice President Dr. David Jeffreys praying a blessing over the certificate recipients.
LCU graduate certificates are designed for working professionals to propel their careers to new levels. Courses are 100% online for full flexibility.
“CHRISTUS Health recognizes the importance of investing in its associates, and we are honored that CHRISTUS Health trusted us as an educational partner,” said Kenny Holt, dean of the Young School of Business. “The Martin MBA program was designed to help build a strong, knowledgeable labor force for all our employers. The beauty of the graduate certificate programs is that we can work with each organization to target needs whether it be data analytics, human resource management, healthcare administration, or preparing early career managers.”
Students who earn graduate certificates can apply all of the credits earned toward the Martin Master of Business Administration.
For more information visit lcuniversity.edu/grad-certificates/