Student spotlight: Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master of Health Administration student Tommy Drennan
As someone who is driven by a desire to make a lasting impact on public health, Tommy Drennan, a junior in the accelerated bachelor’s to master of health administration program at the WVU School of Public Health, is using his experiences both in the public health field and as a WVU men’s basketball student manager to help him prepare for a career in hospital leadership.
“To me public health is a focus on prevention. Not a lot of people hear about public health, because it’s centered on preventative services. I've had professors say if nothing is going wrong then public health is doing their job, because they're preventing outbreaks and things of that nature,” Drennan shared.
“I think public health is something that's in the background behind clinical medicine. Public health is preventative services that maintain the well-being of the community.”
Why did you choose your current major or program?
I was originally interested in going into physical therapy, because I’ve always wanted to help people and was interested in healthcare in that aspect. My dad works in the administrative side of healthcare so that’s where I got the idea to make the switch from physical therapy. I thought I could make a bigger impact in healthcare administration.
What do you eventually want to do in your career? What’s the end goal?
As for my plans after college, my goal is to become a hospital administrator. I think my biggest career dream is to be a CEO of a hospital, but right now I'm focused on school and building my resume so I can one day have a very successful career.
What internship experiences have helped shape your path so far?
My internship with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute was in their quality management department. In my role, I assisted with projects, participated in team meetings, and observed daily operational activities. I also delivered a presentation on the CMS Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAMs) program and its possible impact on coronary artery bypass grafting.
Did your interest in sports have any influence on your career path?
I’ve always been someone that’s participated in team sports. Healthcare involves a lot of teamwork, so it’s like a big team sport. I think my interest in sports has impacted my decision to go into healthcare in that way, because I wanted to work in a team setting and interact with individuals every day.
What are some characteristics or personality traits that make you a successful basketball manager? How will those traits carry over to your public health career?
As a student manager, my two main strengths are being outgoing and communicating effectively. As a basketball manager, I keep track of all the players’ schedules and practice schedules—so communication is a big part of being a manager. You also get to know many of the players and staff, and you have to be outgoing to build strong relationships with them.
Those two strengths will help me in healthcare as well, especially in administration. You have to work together with a lot of people on projects. Healthcare is a team-based setting, so you have to possess good communication skills and be outgoing.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?
I’m in Delta Omega, which is the honorary society for students in public health. We have monthly meetings, do local outreach projects, host networking events and offer professional development opportunities. It’s a way to support the community while preparing for a real-world career.
What advice would you give an incoming student about finding their fit in an academic program in healthcare?
I would tell prospective students that WVU and the School of Public Health may seem intimidating from the outside looking in, but it's not. After switching to the School of Public Health in my second semester of college, I’ve built lifelong relationships with professors and fellow students. I've grown a lot as a person, because I've been pushed to go beyond my comfort zone. While I've learned a lot in the classroom, the relationships and advice that I've gained outside of the classroom are invaluable.
Photo provided by Tommy Drennan.
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