Ben Haws, Author at Ohio State Online

Michael H. Ackerman, DNS, RN, FCCM, FNAP, FAANP has seen a lot of changes within the healthcare industry since beginning his career 37 years ago. Now he is teaching future leaders to disrupt the industry through innovation as the Director of The Ohio State University’s Master of Healthcare Innovation online program.

“The biggest change that I am seeing is the shift from volume to value. It used to be that healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, were rewarded for doing more. More surgeries and operations meant more money. Now, there is an emphasis on quality and cost which is forcing organizations to shift.”

In December 2017, Aetna was purchased by CVS. Meanwhile Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan Chase recently joined forces to create their own healthcare company for employees. These are examples of companies that are taking the healthcare industry by storm.

“Initiatives like these are wonderful; they’re disruptive to the current system” Ackerman said. “Companies like Amazon and CVS are creating a sense of urgency for healthcare organizations to make a change. These leaders are positive deviants and that is what the Master of Healthcare Innovation online program aims to produce.”

Positive deviant: a person who provides innovative insights that challenge the norms of traditional systems. Through this online degree program, positive deviants are challenging the hierarchical structure of decision making that is found in the healthcare system.

“The healthcare industry is complex and can be stubborn to change. I want our students to be well positioned to tackle the complexity and chaos. In this industry, failure is frowned upon. However, we teach that failure is essential for innovation, creativity and forward progress. It is acceptable to fail and make mistakes. Keeping in mind that it is intolerable to make the same mistake twice because that means you did not learn the first time.”

Traditional healthcare is based on a top down, vertical structure. In this digital age of knowledge abundance, there is a need for a more horizontal structure which means involvement from all levels. This online degree program prepares students to engage those at every level rather than just involving senior leaders to make the change.

Ackerman described a case study involving a hospital who recently saw a bump in post-operation infections:

“This hospital tried many solutions but couldn’t pin down the cause. Finally, someone thought to involve the staff who cleans the room. The assistant noted that the pressure to bring patients in quickly does not give the sanitizing spray enough time to dry and it is only effective when it dries. Now who would’ve thought to ask the cleaning staff??”

This case study provides an example of what Ackerman wants to instill in his students to help them evolve into positive deviants. He is empowering his students to become leaders who drive innovation through whatever methods they see fit.

“It’s been a blast. I’ve really enjoyed being the director of the Master of Healthcare Innovation program. It’s been my pleasure to guide these students from A to C. A is where they started, B is where they are after this program and C is the impact they will make on the healthcare industry through innovative leadership.”

Are you thinking about becoming a positive deviant?

Check out how the online Master of Healthcare Innovation program is empowering students to make changes in the healthcare industry that benefit the patient.

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What is engineering management?

A Master of Engineering Management, also known as an MEM degree or an MSEM degree depending on the institution, is a graduate degree that combines the technical skills of engineering with the business knowledge needed to lead an organization successfully. This is a degree for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering or an engineering-related field of study and are ready to take their education and career to the next level. An MEM degree is often a requirement for individuals who are pursuing management or executive-level roles within engineering or manufacturing companies or public agencies.

The fully online Master of Engineering Management program at The Ohio State University, prepares you to advance to management roles or leadership positions within the engineering industry. In this 100% online master’s program, you will learn new engineering management and business skills while better understanding policy and the business-government relationship. This online MEM degree is designed for working professionals, so you can complete online coursework and access materials at a time that best fits your schedule. With core classes provided by The Ohio State University College of Engineering, the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and The Fisher College of Business, you will gain a holistic approach to management covering business leadership, engineering and project management, finance and accounting for engineers, technology strategy and innovation management, visual data analysis and design of engineering experiments, offering you interdisciplinary expertise throughout all online courses.

What are the benefits of pursuing a master’s in Engineering Management online?

- Flexible Scheduling: Completing an engineering management master’s degree online means more flexibility and removes the need to travel to a campus and sit in a classroom. Depending on the engineering management program, classes may be offered asynchronously, allowing for coursework completion at convenient times.

- Leadership Opportunities: MEM graduates are equipped with both engineering knowledge and essential managerial principles, making them ideal candidates for leadership positions.

- Operational Excellence: MEM graduates are prepared to bridge the gap between technical teams and upper management, navigate the application of innovative technology, and integrate leadership and process improvement strategies to add greater value to their organizations.

- Increased Earning Potential: Graduates are often able to increase their salary due to their enhanced engineering skills and greater knowledge of operational tactics. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary in 2023 for a mid-level Industrial Production Manager was $116,970 a year and could reach $190,480 a year for senior level managers.

- Global Perspective: An MEM degree can provide a global outlook on business, policy, trade, and public administration, preparing students for all aspects of interacting with a globally integrated economy.

How does a Master of Engineering Management degree differ from other engineering degrees?

The primary difference between an MEM degree and other engineering master’s degrees is the focus on business skills needed for engineering management and leadership roles rather than technical expertise. At Ohio State, there are two online master’s-level engineering programs in addition to the online Master of Engineering Management that provide different educational focuses for engineering professionals with different goals.

- Master of Science in Welding Engineering: Ohio State touts the only welding master’s program in the United States. This online engineering master’s degree is designed for professionals looking to hone their technical knowledge in the welding industry. Since this program emphasizes more specialized knowledge in welding specifically, this program may not be the best fit for individuals looking to advance into leadership roles.
- Master of Applied Aeronautics: This online engineering program combines foundational principles with emerging technologies and equips students with the skills to tackle complex challenges in aeronautics. With asynchronous courses focused on aircraft design, propulsion, fluid dynamics, and more, this program is focused on aerospace leadership and driving innovation in aerospace, defense, and government sectors.

Ready for a career leap?

Request more information or start a conversation with one of our Enrollment Advisors to see how Ohio State’s online Master of Engineering Management can fit your schedule and help you reach the next level of your career.