Boise State University, Healthcare Financial Management Association and PacificSource Health Plans Collaborate on Master’s Degree Program
PacificSource Health Plans’ Staff Teaching Courses
(Boise, Idaho) March 10, 2022— Boise State University and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) have partnered to create the first master’s degree program in the nation taught by working industry professionals. Developed with the assistance from executive staff at PacificSource Health Plans, the 2 ½ year online program provides a master’s degree in population and health systems management, and is available to students from around the world who are currently working in the healthcare industry. The program’s first semester began in January 2022.
“The program was born out of recognition that there was a learning gap between traditional higher education curriculum and what is really needed to survive in the healthcare industry,” said Jenni Gudapati, Boise State University’s Value-Based Healthcare Program Director. “The goal was to create a program that not only teaches population health, but also gives students the tools they need to learn in order to be financially sustainable and successful in the field, particularly when looking at healthcare payment models and overall healthcare function.”
“This innovative program delivers a knowledge base and skillset that will be essential for healthcare leaders across a wide range of settings,” said HFMA Chief Partnership Executive Todd Nelson. “We at HFMA are proud to help today’s students become tomorrow’s transformation leaders.”
Staff members from PacificSource Health Plans, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Edward McEachern and Vice President and Chief Actuary Mark Florian, worked to help develop the program and are jointly teaching the first two courses.
“It’s an honor to have been asked to help develop and take part in this unique program,” said PacificSource’s Dr. McEachern. “Population health is a critical part of PacificSource’s mission, and I don’t know of anywhere in the world that offers a program that features clinicians, actuaries and financial experts teaching on the topic and helping to prepare students to hit the ground running with what they’ve learned.”
Students in the master’s program will also have the opportunity to receive all four of the HFMA certifications provided by the organization.
About PacificSource Health Plans:
PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource has local offices throughout Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington. The PacificSource family of companies employs more than 1,500 people and serves over 600,000 individuals throughout the Greater Northwest. For more information, visit PacificSource.com.
About Boise State University:
A public metropolitan research university serving more than 33,000 students annually, Boise State is proud to be powered by creativity and innovation. Located in Idaho’s capital city, the university has a growing research agenda and plays a crucial role in the region’s knowledge economy and famed quality of life. In the past 10 years, the university has quadrupled the number of doctoral degrees and doubled its master's degree offerings. Learn more at www.BoiseState.edu.
About Healthcare Financial Management Association:
The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) equips its more than 83,000 members nationwide to navigate a complex healthcare landscape. Finance professionals in the full range of work settings, including hospitals, health systems, physician practices and health plans, trust HFMA to provide the guidance and tools to help them lead their organizations, and the industry, forward. HFMA is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that advances healthcare by collaborating with other key stakeholders to address industry challenges and providing guidance, education, practical tools and solutions, and thought leadership. We lead the financial management of healthcare.