Letter from the Army-Baylor Program Director: Col. Dan Wood, EdD
As we celebrate the close of another incredible academic year, I couldn’t be more excited to lead our outstanding team as we drive innovation forward, meeting the evolving needs of our stakeholders and the ever-changing world of healthcare. Building on more than 75 years of excellence in graduate education, we are passionately committed to honoring our proud legacy while boldly shaping the future of our program. Additionally, we’re thrilled to share that this year we’ve been honored with the Higher Education Network Award from ACHE, all while proudly maintaining our national ranking at No. 12.
This past year has been a remarkable period of growth and achievement for our program. We’ve significantly enhanced faculty research efforts, including new initiatives that directly involve students, most notably through the launch of two electives designed to foster real-world application and academic exploration. These efforts have led to multiple in-person presentations at prestigious national conferences such as the American College of Healthcare Executives Annual Congress, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration Annual Meeting and even on an international stage in Thailand at the International Conference of Information Systems. These presentations are testaments to the thought leadership emerging from our faculty and students alike.
We also introduced the SICEM coaching program, a structured and strategic development opportunity that empowers students through individualized mentorship and leadership refinement. In addition, we proudly established a new advisory board, comprised of distinguished healthcare executives, leaders from across the military services, alumni and industry stakeholders. This board will play a key role in shaping the future direction of the program, ensuring our continued alignment with the evolving demands of the healthcare field. Together, these recognitions and achievements humble us and remind us that our success is built on a strong foundation of teamwork, service and shared commitment to excellence.
People
The Army-Baylor MHA/MBA Program continues to draw the best and brightest from across the U.S. military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, attracting those eager to lead and excel in the federal health sector and beyond! This past August, we proudly celebrated the graduation of our 2022–2024 class, whose impact is already being felt across the federal healthcare system. Meanwhile, our dynamic 2023–2025 class is deep in their residency phase, honing their skills and putting the finishing touches on their graduate management portfolios as they push toward graduation. At the same time, our 2024–2026 didactic students are translating classroom knowledge into real-world application and are super excited to start their upcoming residencies. Through it all, these cohorts continue to rise to the challenge of academic rigor – sharpening their ability to manage, lead and grow as the next generation of federal healthcare leaders.
Promotion
At Army-Baylor, students don't just learn from the best – they're surrounded by a powerhouse network of experienced preceptors, inspiring guest speakers and an unstoppable alumni community that fuels their growth every step of the way. Many of our preceptors are proud Army-Baylor grads themselves, showing their commitment to lifting up the next generation of healthcare leaders. These alumni play a huge role in keeping our community strong and connected, opening doors for students to build meaningful professional relationships through educational events, networking opportunities and social gatherings. This incredible network of preceptors and alumni isn’t just a bonus – it’s a driving force behind the high standards of excellence and professional development we set for every student. Their passion and dedication keep our legacy strong and our future even brighter!
Proficiency
The faculty at Army-Baylor are accomplished leaders with years of practical knowledge who uphold our program’s proud commitment to delivering a world-class education and shape the future of healthcare one student at a time. Our faculty push the boundaries of research, innovation and leadership, with active involvement in top professional organizations like the American College of Healthcare Executives, Healthcare Financial Management Association and the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. Fueled by passion and a relentless commitment to service, our faculty lead by example – inspiring students to dream bigger, reach higher and blaze their own trails of excellence in the healthcare world.
As I close this letter, I am also closing out my time here at the Army-Baylor Program and will be handing off the torch to the next program director this summer, Lt. Col. Mike Frankel. I want to take a moment to personally thank you for your unwavering support of the program. We’ve been able to achieve so much, but none of it would be possible without your commitment and partnership. It has truly been an honor to lead such an incredible organization, working alongside passionate, driven faculty and students who are inspired and eager to create meaningful change in our healthcare systems. I have no doubt that the program is in excellent hands and will continue to grow, shaping the future of healthcare leadership for years to come.
Godspeed,
Col. Dan M. Wood
29th Program Director of the Army-Baylor Program
