Dr. Hilligoss’ Departure

We wish Dr. Hilligoss the best of luck at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management.  Learn more about what he will be doing there and what he will miss most about his time at OSU.

You have been teaching MHA students management for the last 6 years, what do you think is the most important thing for them to learn while they are here?  

Obviously, they need to learn how the US health care system is organized, operates, and is paid for. Within that, they need to learn its strengths and weaknesses, who it benefits and who it disadvantages. But the particulars of insurance arrangements or quality improvement programs or any other aspect of health care will change over time, so what is even more important is to develop the underlying skills necessary to think critically, to solve problems creatively, to lead responsibly and ethically, and to manage people and organizational processes effectively.

We are sad to see you leave Ohio State, but happy for your future success at the University of Arizona.  Can you tell us a little more about what you will be doing? 

I will be teaching health care management to undergraduate and masters students in the Eller College of Management. The College has identified health care as a strategic priority, and is expanding its programming both in Tucson and Phoenix. In general there is relatively little in the way of health care management degree programs available in Arizona, so it will be exciting to be part of these efforts.

What will you miss most about working at OSU (and in our MHA program)?  

The greatest aspect of any job for me is always the people. I’ll miss the faculty who have been wonderful colleagues, the staff who are friendly and always ready to help, and of course, the great students whose eagerness to learn and develop into innovative and compassionate managers have inspired me these last several years!