Vanessa Varalli 鈥� Alumni

Master of Health Administration (Dal 鈥�19) MHA Alumni
Master of Occupational Therapy (NYU 鈥�00)
Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Queen's 鈥�03)

鈥楤roadening my perspective on the world鈥�

For years, Vanessa Varalli looked longingly at job opportunities in health administration but didn鈥檛 feel qualified鈥攄espite having a Bachelor of Science (Psychology), Master of Occupational Therapy and 12 years of experience as a clinical research coordinator at the IWK Health Centre.

In 2017 it was time, she says, 鈥渢o pursue a degree and close the gap between my knowledge base and what was required for me to move forward.鈥�

She chose 鲍鱼tv鈥檚 Master of Health Administration (MHA) primarily because of the residency component. She was also drawn to the program鈥檚 interprofessional nature鈥攖hat she would meet, work with, and learn from individuals with varied backgrounds and relevant experience.

Small classes, positive energy

Now in her second semester, Vanessa says her interactions, both with other students and with her professors, have been highlights.

鈥淚 look forward to discussions in class when the students ask questions and share their ideas. The room becomes full of positive energy,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he MHA program has small classes so we all get to know each other."

鈥淧rofessors are supportive both inside and outside of the classroom. I always feel like I can go to them for help or for an interesting conversation鈥攜ou really get the feeling that they all want you to succeed.鈥�

Working for better healthcare

Vanessa is confident the MHA will help her meet her career goal.

鈥淣ova Scotia鈥檚 healthcare system is facing multiple challenges,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd I am motivated to be involved with developing strategies and problem solving to create positive change.鈥�

鈥淭he program is expanding my understanding of topics I鈥檝e had no exposure to, such as financial accounting and economics. It鈥檚 forced me to work hard at learning and broadening my perspective on the world.鈥�