Concordia College Alumni Questionnaire (click on a question to view the Alumni responses)

1)  How has Concordia helped you get where you are today?
2)  In your opinion, what is the advantage of pursuing a career in Healthcare Management?
3)  What piece of advice would you hand down to a future healthcare administrator coming out of Concordia College?



How has Concordia helped you get where you are today?

Nathan Johnson of Good Samaritan in Barnesville

"I believe one of the greatest advantages my Concordia education has given me to get me where I am today is, quite basically, the healthcare program the college has built.  It is unique to college campus’ to have a Business Administration Program with a strong specialization in Long-Term Care Administration and Health Care Management.  Obviously, with these programs, the coursework is targeted directly at the healthcare field.  My education gave me fundamental management principles (both financial and human resources) and other valuable coursework specific to Healthcare.  All in all, this prepared me well for my Long-Term Care Administrator’s License examination and now my career as a Nursing Home Administrator.  Beyond the specifics of this strong program, I also believe that the liberal arts education and other extra-curricular opportunities Concordia offers has given me a broader view, more life experience, and expanded thinking.  All of this, I believed, has helped me get where I am today."

Stephanie Scheffler with HealthPartners

"The opportunity to have an under graduate program in health care admin was a perfect fit for what I wanted from my professional life.  The opportunity to have a great education and then a residency where I was able to connect to a place where I wanted was perfect.  I see the experiences I received from Concordia as helping open the doors for me professionally."

Jon Riewer with Eventide in Moorhead

"Concordia has a reputation of having strong Health Care Administration programs.  This is well known throughout the industry and is particularly true in Minnesota, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Iowa, and Montana.  I believe people hiring for administrative positions are willing to give Concordia grads opportunities that other new grads may not get due in large part to the reputation of the program.  Also, as fruitless as it may seem today, the value of the liberal arts education is “priceless” in your ability to see things different ways.  You will find yourself in many situations where you will be asked to make judgment calls on decisions that are anything but “black and white” and your ability to process all of the perspectives will be an asset."   

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In your opinion, what is the advantage of pursuing a career in Healthcare Management?

Nathan Johnson of Good Samaritan in Barnesville

"For me healthcare was the right way to go (and I even say that after 5 years of being in the field J).  It is a great mix of business/management, strategic planning, and human interests, or working with people.  Beyond that, Healthcare is truly a service and a mission field.  Jesus teaches us to care for the lost, the widowed, and the orphaned (people in need) – and I believe that working as a healthcare worker (in whatever capacity) is doing just that.  We have an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life when they are perhaps, most vulnerable or dependent.  Healthcare is not all “peaches and cream.”  The industry has it’s headaches like any that at the end of the day, you go home knowing that you have provided a service to someone that depended on it and you did the best you could with the resources available.  That’s a great feeling and it keeps you coming back – day after day!  And let’s face it – we all get sick and we all get old.  The industry is growing and changing at a fast and exciting pace with new consumer demands and technology advances.  Healthcare needs will always be here and the industry needs quality people in it."

Stephanie Scheffler with HealthPartners

"It’s a unique field to be in.  Most of my colleagues are either nurses or business admin background.  I enjoy the daily challenges of working in operations with dedicated people truly wanting to make a difference in the world – one patient at a time and as a large system – HealthPartners is truly making a difference on several fronts.  I’m proud to work for HealthPartners."

Jon Riewer with Eventide in Moorhead

"One of the main advantages of pursuing a career in healthcare management is the amount of opportunities you have outside of administration.  There is also a high degree of diversity in your work day and interaction with many different people.  I also believe that healthcare is a “calling” of sorts and provides a great deal of personal satisfaction through our service to people."

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What piece of advice would you hand down to a future healthcare administrator coming out of Concordia College?

Nathan Johnson of Good Samaritan in Barnesville

"First of all, call a Concordia Alumnus and get some advice on what you’re thinking.  Trust me – we want to hear from you!  If it’s your goal to jump into top-level local management, such as a Nursing Home Administrator – look for a quality training program.  For example, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (my current employer) has a very high quality Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Program.  Other corporations have them too.  I found, as a new graduate with essentially zero management experience, entry into a Nursing Home Administrator position was difficult to achieve.  Now in retrospect, I wonder if I really could have done it without a 6+ month AIT training program.  The “hot seat” is hot.  Surround yourself with a company and/or network of peers that will support you.  Have a mentor.  There are a lot of angles you can take in Healthcare Management.  Be patient, do what is comfortable for you, don’t be afraid to take some risks.  It’s a great career industry."

Stephanie Scheffler with HealthPartners

"Have an idea of what type or work you would like to do – someday.  But, be open to gaining experience in other areas that will lend itself to helping you get where you want to go. You don’t have to land your ideal job right out of school – but try to make it work and align with where you want to go.  Network – network – network.  Oh, did I say – network!"

Jon Riewer with Eventide in Moorhead

"As always, you get out what you put in.  Be flexible in your expectations for your first job.  Getting the experience is the only way you end up where you ultimately want to be.  In addition, enjoy those first opportunities as you get to meet new people, become part of different communities, and learn the trade.  If you do, I am sure you will look back on those first jobs as great life experiences where ever they may be."

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