Jonathan McKinney
Master of Public Health, Public Health Practice and Policy (Online)
"I chose Maryland for its reputation and for the flexibility of the online MPH program. The University of Maryland is close to the action in D.C., so it was a great choice for me since I am interested in health policy. The affordability of the program was also attractive!”
How did the MPH program change your path?
Going through this program changed my career trajectory. I wanted to go into medical school, but I realized that I didn’t necessarily need to go that route to make a positive impact on the functioning of a hospital. My path now is directed at being a hospital administrator and leading a health system that is focused on helping vulnerable communities. I am also pursuing my Doctor of Health Administration degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.
What was your experience like?
It was an online master’s program, but we had a lot of in-person interaction because most of my cohort was based in D.C. with me. I developed friends and colleagues with whom I still communicate. I was initially nervous about the online environment, but my experience was very personal.
What motivates you?
Hands down, working to promote health equity for the communities that hospitals are serving is what motivates me. My MPH internship was with MedStar Health and they hired me as a full-time manager for community health outreach after I completed the internship. I gained so much from being in the community working with patients and community health workers. In my executive fellowship with the American Hospital Association, I have been working with the National Urban League to address inequities in health care through the use of community health workers, and increasing diversity in health care leadership across the U.S.