Directors' Letters
Executive Director’s Letter
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” – Isaiah 54:2
Expanding horizons is the theme of this year’s annual report. With the addition of Dan Wood, EdD, and the development of new programs and partnerships, the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership is poised to grow its reach and influence – furthering its mission to develop the next generation of servant leaders for healthcare.
Wood began his tenure at Baylor University on Oct. 1. His steady and thoughtful leadership is already making a difference for our students. In addition, his clinical background as a nurse combined with his health administration and educational leadership experience will pay huge dividends for the program. We are excited to see his contributions unfold and the improvements he’ll make moving forward. Our first cover story provides a look into Wood’s healthcare journey and what brought him to Baylor.
This past spring, we celebrated the many heartfelt contributions of Scott Garner. Faculty, staff, students and alumni gathered at McLane Stadium to express our thanks for Scott’s more than 20 years of service to Baylor and the Robbins Institute. What was most touching was seeing many former students who made their way back to Waco for the occasion. This summer, Scott transitioned into a part-time role in the Robbins Institute and now serves as a program advisor. His “new” responsibilities include career advising for students and alumni, residency site development and placement and fundraising. Scott has not slowed down but is finding more time to serve his wife, family, and friends. In our second cover story, we take a look back at Scott’s many accomplishments and the legacy he is leaving to the Robbins Institute and Baylor University.
Mission Trip Update. In August, Joel Allison and I completed a discovery mission trip to Jellico, Tennessee, and Williamsburg, Kentucky. We had the privilege of meeting with healthcare and community leaders, including the CEO and CMO of Dayspring Health, Larry Rector and Dr. Geogy Thomas, the mayor of Williamsburg, Kentucky, Roddy Harrison, the Director of Student Programming for Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF), Jessie Thomas, and the Founder of Springs of Life Ministries, Cliff Branam. Hearing their stories and witnessing their selfless service was truly inspiring.
Plans for our July trip with students are readily underway. I’m excited to share that funding for the mission trip has already been provided thanks to the loving and generous support of Mary Jo Robbins. Excitement for the trip is palpable and has generated interest across campus. I’m happy to announce that the mission trip will be multidisciplinary with the participation of faculty and students from the School of Nursing, School of Arts & Sciences and the Honors College, in addition to the Robbins Healthcare MBA.
During the mission trip, business students will be completing ‘business as missions’ consulting projects. Nursing and pre-health students will be shadowing local rural healthcare providers. All students will engage in two community service projects to benefit the city of Jellico and will learn from local community leaders about nonprofit healthcare and community revitalization in the context of rural Appalachia.
9th Annual Robbins Case Competition. Dayspring Health was also the focus of our ninth annual Robbins Case Competition. Students from 12 leading health management programs in the U.S. and Canada competed for more than $27,000 in prize money, tackling the issue of telehealth in rural Appalachia. Dr. Geogy Thomas, Dr. John David Williamson, Lance Luttrell and Jaxon Moran representing Dayspring Health and CCHF participated as judges. We’re so appreciative of these and our other judges, facilitators, faculty, staff, and students who contributed to the success of this event. We give profound thanks to Mary Jo Robbins and the Robbins Foundation for their ongoing and generous support of the case competition.
Quint Studer Live! Event. On Nov. 14, the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership was proud to host Quint Studer in person in an exclusive educational event at Baylor University. Quint shared insights from his latest research on leadership, engagement and culture in a lively, interactive session. As noted in earlier communications, Quint is now a member of the Robbins Institute’s Advisory Council. We look forward to his continued partnership in developing our future healthcare leaders.
Joel Allison Honored with THA Legend Award. Last, I’d like to highlight Joel Allision. Joel epitomizes servant leadership and was recognized by the Texas Hospital Association in October as a recipient of the 2025 THA Legends Award. The award is a special award of merit given to leaders “who went above and beyond the call of duty for hospitals, patients and the health care industry throughout their careers.” We are so proud of Joel and blessed to have him as the Robbins Institute’s executive-in-residence.
As we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, may we thank God for His bountiful provision in all areas of our lives. I’m particularly thankful for His favor to the Robbins Institute and for His love expressed by and through you.
Best regards,
Forest Kim, PhD
Program Director’s Letter
Dear Alumni and Valued Stakeholders,
It is both an honor and a privilege to be a part of a top-notch program for which your enduring connection to our program has continued to support and strengthen all that we do. The strong reputation and meaningful impact we hold today are built upon the dedication, vision, and scholarship of those who came before me; the leaders, faculty, students, and alumni who shaped a legacy of excellence in healthcare management and leadership.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, so too must our program. We remain deeply committed to the principles of continuous quality improvement through evaluating, refining, and innovating to ensure our graduates are equipped to meet the complex and ever-changing demands of our healthcare system. Through collaboration, evidence-based learning, and a steadfast focus on quality and compassion, we continue to prepare healthcare business professionals who advance the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
I’m happy to share several program highlights from this past year.
Robbins Health MBA Clinical Track
Building upon the success of our one-year pre-clinical track for pre-medicine students, the Robbins Institute is proud to announce the launch of our clinical track. The clinical track allows medical students from the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) to complete their healthcare MBA between their 3rd and 4th year of medical school. We are excited to welcome our first clinical track students this summer.
Back-to-Back ACHE Richard J. Stull Student Essay Competition Wins
The Robbins Healthcare MBA had back-to-back first-place wins in the national American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Richard J. Stull Student Essay Competition. Tanéha Fincher, Class of 2026, took the top award in the graduate division for her essay, “MEND the Divide: A Pathway to Equitable Maternal Care in the United States,” now published in the Journal of Healthcare Management. Fincher was also a recipient of the prestigious Albert W. Dent student scholarship from ACHE.
Robbins Healthcare MBA students traveled to Santiago, Chile, in October to examine the country’s healthcare system and leading business industries and explore its warm culture and complex history. To analyze Chile’s public-private healthcare system, students visited Clinica Las Condes, one of Santiago’s largest private hospitals. In addition to touring the facility, they heard from professors Rony Lenz, former director of the Chilean Health System, FONASA, and Daniela Parades, a leading health economist who focuses on health finance. Students also met with leaders of the Hospital Lui Tisné, a public teaching hospital in Penalolén, Santiago. The experience allowed students to solidify their understanding of cross-national health comparisons and consider alternative models of national health care.
New Residency Site
This past year, the program added HCA Parallon to its expanding residency portfolio. Students selected for this residency are enrolled into HCA’s Leadership Engagement & Development (LEAD) program that prepares early careerists to assume operational and analytical leadership roles across the organization. Tanéha Fincher was nominated and selected for the LEAD program and is connected to HCA hospitals in the Washington, D.C., area.
As I conclude, I invite you to remain engaged with us as partners in this ongoing journey. Your insight, support, and continued involvement are vital as we build upon our shared foundation and strive toward new levels of excellence in education, research and service.
Dan Wood, EdD
