Executive in Residence Program

Executive in Residence Program

George Mason University Health Administration and Policy Program

The School of Public Health, Health Administration Program at George Mason University is one of the few top programs nationwide with an Executive in Residence (EIR). An EIR for both our undergraduate and graduate programs provides unique advantages to students, alumni and faculty as an experienced advisor, mentor, guest lecturer and leadership coach. 

Our EIR provides students real-world insights and practical experience from their healthcare leadership career, offering guidance on current industry trends, challenges, and best practices to better prepare them for executive roles within the healthcare field. As a seasoned industry executive, the EIR draws on experience to advise on curriculum, provide case studies and offer objective insights and practical advice on the complex management topics and issues that healthcare executives face within the industry. 

Overall, having an Executive in Residence enriches the educational experience by integrating academic learning with practical, real-world applications in the healthcare industry.

Executive in Residence Role:

  • Mentorship: Provides guidance and career advice to students, sharing insights from their own professional experiences.
  • Networking: Helps students connect with industry professionals, fostering valuable relationships for expanded learning, internships and job opportunities.
  • Curriculum Development: Collaborates with faculty to ensure the curriculum aligns with current industry trends and needs.
  • Leadership Development: Serves as a mentor and coach to help students build relevant and meaningful leadership traits and skills.
  • Guest Lectures and Workshops: Conducts lectures or workshops on specialized topics in healthcare management, enhancing the learning experience.
  • Capstone Project Support: Assists students with their capstone projects by providing real-world insights and feedback.
  • Career Roadmap: Advise students on a career path based upon their interests, past experiences and future goals.

Meet Our Executive in Residence

David Wright
David Wright, MPH
Executive in Residence
George Mason University
Health Administration and Policy

Dave Wright has more than 4 decades of experience as a senior level healthcare executive with proven experience leading strategic and operational growth for health care organizations, technology product/solution companies and not for profit research and educational organizations.

He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Virginia Tech and his master’s in public health with an emphasis in healthcare administration from the University of California, Los Angeles. Dave’s interest in health care has been heavily centered on the growth and market development of leading healthcare companies. The first half of his career, Dave led strategic planning, marketing, physician integration and corporate development functions for hospitals and health systems with the most recent role at Inova Health System. The second half of his past 40 years included an entrepreneurial focus building healthcare technology companies from startup to global maturity. His most recent role was with Vital Software, an AI-driven health technology company where he served as Chief Operating Officer providing a patient engagement software solution for major health systems across the country.

In addition to his executive roles, Dave has shared his expertise as an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and Marymount University, teaching courses in leadership, marketing strategy, and strategic planning. Dave also runs a Life and Health Coaching Practice, holding dual certification as a Life and Health Coach which uniquely brings added skill and value to students as they complete their education at the University.

“The Executive in Residence program at GMU offers a unique opportunity to engage with accomplished healthcare leaders in a collaborative and supportive environment. Through mentorship, networking events, and student-centered initiatives, Executives in Residence foster a vibrant and engaged community. They provide guidance and inspiration, helping students cultivate their leadership potential, build lasting connections, and achieve their full potential as healthcare leaders.”

Brenda Helen Sheingold, PhD, FNAP

Division Director, Health Administration & Policy

Maria Uriyo, PhD, PMP

Assistant Professor & MHA Program Coordinator

 

Benefits to Students

The Executive in Residence as a core member of the health administration program brings numerous benefits that enhance both the educational experience and the program's overall value for students:

  • Practical Experience: provides real-world insights that enrich the curriculum. Their firsthand experience helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing students for the complexities of healthcare administration.
  • Career Development: EIRs can offer valuable advice on career paths, helping students navigate the healthcare job market.
  • Skill Enhancement: Workshops and lectures can provide students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to current healthcare challenges.
  • Increased Employability: Connections made through the EIR can lead to internships and job placements, enhancing employability.
  • Enhanced Learning Environment: The presence of an EIR fosters a dynamic learning environment, encouraging student engagement and discussion.
  • Mentorship: offer invaluable mentorship to students, guiding them in their career paths, helping with networking, and providing personalized advice based on their extensive experience in the field.
  • Industry Connections: facilitate connections for students, opening doors to internships, job opportunities, and collaborations with healthcare organizations.
  • Curriculum Relevance: contribute to the ongoing development of the curriculum, ensuring it remains relevant to current industry trends, technologies, and regulatory changes.
  • Engaging Learning Environment: provide dynamic workshops, guest lectures, and case study discussions, creating an interactive learning environment that encourages critical thinking and practical application.
  • Leadership Development: focus on developing essential leadership skills through targeted training sessions, preparing students to take on managerial roles effectively.
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship: With an entrepreneurial background, the EIR can inspire and mentor students interested in health tech innovations, fostering a culture of creativity and problem-solving.

Our EIR also serves to connect students to healthcare leaders across the industry to create expanded opportunities for student learning, open the doors for potential employment opportunities following graduation and to enrich the capstone projects for our students.  Additionally, the EIR works with regional and national healthcare that play a crucial role in the healthcare sector:

Our Executive in Residence adds significant value to our health administration program by enhancing learning, fostering professional growth, and connecting students to the healthcare industry, ultimately preparing them for successful careers.