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With passion and purpose, senior at UF pursues pediatric healthcare management
By Techiya Jackson, JacksonT1@Findlay.edu
As the University of Findlay graduation day approaches, one senior eagerly anticipates the next step in her healthcare management journey. Libby Sapp, a healthcare management major, prepares for life after graduation. Her ultimate goal: passionately pursue her interests while improving healthcare systems nationwide.
Over the past four years at UF, Sapp built a solid foundation in administration, patient advocacy, and policy procedures. Her coursework and hands-on experiences provided her with knowledge and a deep appreciation for the complex, evolving healthcare industry.
“Health management combines my interests in business and healthcare, making it the perfect fit for me,” Sapp said.
Sapp actively sought out relevant experiences, currently working in direct patient care to enhance her ability to assess and advocate for patient needs. This role also deepened her understanding of how healthcare policies and administrative decisions impact patients.
“Growing up, I always wanted to work in a field that helped people, but I wasn’t quite set on what, after I shadowed a couple different jobs, I realized health management is where I could make a real change,” Sapp said. “I want to help make healthcare more accessible and do my best to improve patient outcomes.”
The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving to policy changes, technological advancements, and shifting patient needs. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, this developmental period is marked by significant growth in demand for health managers, particularly in policy development and healthcare administration.
As Sapp prepares to graduate with a degree in healthcare management, she credits her success and post-graduation confidence to the mentorship and guidance from the program’s faculty.
Dr. Aly Matejka is the director of the healthcare management programs at UF and is also an associate professor with a doctorate in athletic training.
“I believe by integrating real world experience with classroom instruction it helps better prepare students for today’s healthcare environment,” Dr. Matejka said.
With a background in athletic training, Dr. Matejka brings a unique perspective on healthcare leadership, combining expertise in administration and patient-centered care. Her dual role as faculty and program director keeps her closely connected to students while ensuring curriculum needs are met.
Dr. Robin K. Walters-Powell is chair of the healthcare services department and professor of social work and says collaboration across healthcare fields is important.
“Healthcare is a broad field,” Walters-Powell said. “It is important to help students understand the need for partnerships between other healthcare professions like social work, and even nursing. We all work together to ensure patients are taken care of.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, interprofessional collaboration improves health outcomes, resource management, and job satisfaction among healthcare workers. This approach fosters mutual respect and enhances communication, reducing medial errors and supporting patient-centered care, making healthcare more reliable.
