Niagara EMS Deputy Chief praises DeGroote’s MHM program

Rick Ferron, MHM ’15, started in the Master of Health Management (MHM) program looking to further his career in the field of Emergency Medical Services. He also wanted to gain the knowledge necessary to excel in a health management role.

Coming from a background in healthcare, Ferron had not been heavily exposed to the world of business. He felt the need to further his education in order to advance his career.

As Ferron searched for a program that would help him reach his career goals, he discovered MHM – an online program designed for heath care professionals who are seeking to assume or have assumed a leadership role in a variety of healthcare sectors.

“The program seemed tailored to meet the goals identified in my professional learning plan, and allowed the flexibility I needed to complete the program while working in a professional setting,” Ferron explains.

Once enrolled, he was able to benefit from the unique characteristics of the MHM program, which allows professionals from various healthcare settings and disciplines to collaborate. “This provided not only opportunities for networking, but for shared perspectives and a broader understanding of the health care system,” he says.

Two on-site residency periods, a key part of the program, gave him the opportunity to connect with his fellow classmates and faculty advisors. “The on-site residency periods helped foster and later solidify my working relationships with my classmates. The two residencies seemed to time perfectly to accomplish the intended tasks within the course matrix.”

He was also appreciative of the flexibility to learn while continuing to excel in his position. “I was able to apply the knowledge I was gaining immediately in my professional role,” adds Ferron. “I have applied the knowledge gained in the MHM program to many workplace initiatives.”

MHM’s approach to learning, as well as the skills Ferron was gaining, significantly benefited him and allowed him to move forward in his career. Halfway through the program, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations after working for many successful years as the Commander of Quality Management and Performance Standards for Niagara EMS.

He knows the skills he acquired through MHM significantly contributed to his career advancement, and put him on a path for future success. Now that Ferron has completed the program, he is looking forward to whatever comes next. He’s happy to say that all of his expectations from the program were fully realized.

Ferron also has some advice for current students in the MHM program: “Ensure that you fully appreciate and take advantage of the cross-disciplinary collaboration opportunities in the MHM program.”

Rick Ferron, MHM ’15, is Deputy Chief of Operations for Niagara EMS, which serves a territory of 1,850 square kilometres comprised of 12 municipalities, including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Grimsby and Fort Erie.