Alumna Ashley Arnold Levels Up Her Healthcare Industry Knowledge in MBA Program Alumni Profile

Since 2014, Ashley Arnold '21 has held a variety of administrative and management positions within UPMC, including roles in Labor and Delivery at UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital and Surgical Oncology at UPMC Cancer Pavillion Shadyside. Having just completed her MBA this summer, Arnold recently took on the role of practice manager with Community Medicine Inc. at UPMC Shadyside. In the Q&A below, learn how Point Park's MBA program and concentration in health systems management gave Arnold the tools to take on this next step in her career.

Tell us about your new job.

I am responsible for overseeing all the administrative and business operational aspects for our organization while providing support to an internal medicine team. My responsibilities include the day-to-day operations and oversight of the providers, staff, treatment processes, schedules and the patient experience. My management role and supervision within the practice certifies our team can guarantee compliance, policies and procedures. Under my oversight of financial informatics, data analysis and monitoring figures, our practice can best meet specific benchmarks and reach the needs of patients. 

What factors made you choose Point Park for your MBA?

I chose Point Park for my MBA because the program is highly recognized. Many of the educators have real-world experience working in the fields they teach. I wanted to obtain my business degree and simultaneously concentrate my focus on health systems management. Point Park's program combines the business aspect of managerial and financial concepts of an organization and the dynamics of healthcare operations and financial analysis of revenue cycles while instilling leadership skills.

How do you incorporate the skills you learned from the MBA program into the work you do now?

The MBA program equipped me to successfully manage operations of a medical facility through possessing strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with physicians, medical staff and patients. The program prepared me for my role through strengthening my analytical, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills to best resolve various administrative and healthcare issues that may arise by implementing creative solutions. The program instilled knowledge on data analysis, financial methodologies, healthcare law and policy and technical skills, as well as quality and safety in diverse healthcare settings. 

What advice do you have for prospective students? 

Each graduate student’s journey is diverse. Try not to compare your journey to others, and follow your own path to success. The program is what you make it. Although it is challenging at times, if you set high personal and academic goals for yourself, you will succeed. The faculty and staff at Point Park are with you each step of the way and are always there to assist you with any questions or needs that may arise. The camaraderie with your peers and cohort within the program is immeasurable and very beneficial as you go through the program together. Choosing Point Park for my MBA was the best decision I could have made for my career and future.  

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Before my current position within UPMC, I navigated through the career ladder within my organization taking on new roles and challenges. The more I learned about healthcare and worked alongside world-renowned doctors and colleagues, my passion was ignited that I, too, wanted to be a part of the greater good for humanity, aiding in providing better health outcomes for our local communities and patients around the world. I knew that obtaining my degree from Point Park would be the best next step for my career and future. Although the last year has been difficult for many, it has been an honor and privilege to be a part of the healthcare industry. 

Connect with Ashley Arnold '21

More About: M.B.A., Rockwood Area High School, alumni, Rowland School of Business, success story