Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership and Management

Karun Joseph, BS’22/ MS’23

Karun Joseph is a Senior Sourcing Analyst at Health Care Service Corporation. She graduated from the MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management program in 2023. Joseph has successfully implemented sourcing strategies and processes, managed supplier relationships, and led cross-functional projects aimed at optimizing continuous improvement within the procurement organization. Her expertise in strategic sourcing and process improvement is instrumental in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement function.

Sonal Patel, MS’24/ MBA’23

Sonal Patel, RDN, is a Public Health Specialist at Dallas County Health and Human Services. She completed her MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2024. As a dedicated health and wellness professional, Patel brings a wealth of experience from corporate wellness to clinical practice, consistently achieving high patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes. With extensive expertise in program development and implementation, she excels in communication and collaboration, making her a valuable asset in any health and wellness initiative.

Steven Match, MS’24

Match is the Director of Procurement Solutions at Vizient, where he leads initiatives aimed at improving healthcare performance. With a focus on leveraging analytical insights and fostering client partnerships, Match drives project success through strategic thinking and outstanding communication. His dedication to maximizing the benefits of Vizient’s offerings across diverse client scenarios highlights his commitment to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare procurement. Match’s ability to build positive relationships and deliver strategic solutions underscores his expertise and enthusiasm in the field.

Monique Tran, MS’25, BS’23

Monique Tran, a Spring 2025 MS graduate and fast-track student, has been a standout member of our program since her undergraduate years. While she initially pursued a clinical path, her internships with Elevance Health, Parkland Health, and Amentum sparked a deeper interest in the broader impact of healthcare systems. Monique’s academic excellence is reflected in her outstanding 3.9 GPA, and her leadership as Vice President and President of the Elite Scholars and Leaders Program.

Rolando Perez, BS’20/ MS’23

Perez is a distinguished MS Healthcare Leadership and Management graduate from UT Dallas. During his time there, he also served as the president for the Elite Scholar and Leader Program. He is currently working as a Schedule Capacity Analyst II at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He also serves as the Vice-Chair for the ACHE NTX Student Council and as the Chair for the Member Engagement Committee for NALHE DFW. Driven by a commitment to innovation in healthcare, Perez aims to enhance healthcare quality and access while reducing costs, ensuring that everyone can afford high-quality care. Deeply rooted in Texas, he is dedicated to fostering collaboration and understanding within the healthcare community, believing that unity and mutual respect are key to achieving common goals.

Jason Mikhaiel, BS’22/ MS’23

Jason Mikhaiel is the Medicaid Eligibility Area Manager, following his role as a CSO Manager in Training at Parallon. With extensive experience in customer service and a passion for engaging with people, Mikhaiel is always eager to gain new experiences and embrace new opportunities. He recently earned his Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Dallas. Mikhaiel thrives on challenges that push and motivate him to innovate and find better ways to accomplish tasks. He believes in the endless pursuit of knowledge, regardless of one’s experience or tenure.

Kennedy Shaffer, MS’20

Patient Coordinator, Identity Eyecare

Upon graduation, I approached one of my professors with my dilemma, and he introduced me to ‘the business of healthcare.’ I have been hooked ever since!

Dr. Sai Lakhan Kyasa, MS’24

Kyasa is a dedicated physician from India. Upon graduating from the MS Healthcare Leadership and Management program, he secured a position as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. With a robust proficiency in Epic software, eClinicalWorks, and clinical monitoring, Kyasa brings a diverse skill set to healthcare operations. His expertise extends to research design development, marketing strategy, and the pharmaceutical industry. Kyasa is committed to advancing healthcare outcomes and is eager to connect and collaborate with others in the medical community on innovative healthcare solutions.

Blake Cedeno, BS’21, MS’23

Assistant Market Director – Patient Access, Parallon HCA Healthcare

Cedeno started his career with Parallon in January 2022 as part of Parallon’s Manager In Training program where he served at Medical City Dallas, Medical City Heart and Spine, and Medical City Arlington. Cedeno received a recent promotion to Assistant Market Director for Patient Access where he continues to drive exceptional operational performance and deliver team engagement. During his tenure with Parallon, Cedeno has been involved with many projects and has been instrumental in Medical City Dallas’s top tier performance. Cedeno graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management in 2021 and his Master’s degree in 2023 as part of the Healthcare Leadership and Management program.