Whether offered through hands-on opportunities or lessons taught from those in the field, practical experience is a major component of any curriculum. The department of Health Policy and Management (HPM) at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health values practical experience, and seeks faculty with extensive experience to prepare students for successful careers of their own in health administration and public health.
Holly Vonderheit, executive director of strategic communications at Indiana University, has more than 25 years of experience leading communications and marketing for brands such as Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Health, and now Indiana University. When asked to share her expertise with students, Holly was thrilled to accept. She has been teaching for nearly 10 years and is currently an adjunct instructor at the Fairbanks School of Public Health.
“Given my various roles in healthcare marketing and communications over the years, I was often asked to speak to classes at IUPUI,” Holly said. “I thoroughly enjoyed preparing for the classes and connecting with students, so when I was asked to consider teaching, it wasn’t a hard sell.”
Holly teaches Health Care Marketing, an undergraduate course that offers a practical study of marketing in healthcare institutions, health service organizations, and health insurers. The course provides a basic foundation in marketing principles, new methods in marketing products and services, and inexpensive marketing techniques.
With healthcare practices evolving, the HPM department needs adjunct instructors who not only understand the structure and challenges of today’s healthcare system, but are also skilled in imparting that wisdom to aspiring healthcare leaders. Holly’s expertise navigating the changing landscape of healthcare marketing places her students at an advantage. Yet she believes her students are not the only ones benefiting from her coursework.
“Preparing for class keeps me fresh on industry trends,” she said. “I often find myself thinking about my students during my regular work day – how the projects I’m working on or individuals I’m meeting might support my students’ understanding of key concepts.”
Holly not only enjoys finding relevant ways to engage current students, but also loves connecting with students long after they complete her course.
“I love hearing from prior students and always smile when a student starts out a message with ‘…I don’t know if you remember me, but –.’ The type of student who reaches out is exactly the type of student an instructor remembers!”
In addition to coursework, all students in the BS program in Health Services Management, must also complete an internship before graduating. Internships and hands-on learning opportunities offer students a chance to demonstrate and enhance what they have learned from instructors like Holly. The HPM Department is seeking passionate adjunct instructors to help prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders. If you are interested in teaching an undergraduate course in the BS in Health Services Management program, please reach out to Sarah Johnson at shm@indiana.edu.