Dr. Kim C. Byas, Sr., Appointed Program Director of Innovative Master of Science in Health Care Leadership
Dr. Kim C. Byas, Sr.
Kim C. Byas, Sr., Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.H.E., was appointed to lead Union Institute & University’s new innovative Master of Science in Health Care Leadership (MS-HCL) program.
As a seasoned health care professional, Dr. Byas has served nearly 40 years in various health care settings—including as regional executive with the American Hospital Association where he works with hospitals on federal advocacy, health care system transformation, and health policy.
Dr. Byas cites two very important reasons for the formation of this new program. “First, many of us dream of a health care system that provides the best care with the best outcomes possible—regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, or financial circumstances. As most know, our health care model falls short of achieving this.
Second, Union Institute & University’s historic and unique commitment to experimental adult education prepares motivated adults who want to work to improve health care access and eliminate health inequities. Consequently, Union Institute & University has more than five decades of success in helping adult learners first transform their lives; and then transform their communities and promote social justice. Union Institute & University is nationally ranked as the fourth-best university for adult learners—individuals who work, support families, and have very busy lives while seeking to change the world.”
Dr. Byas was instrumental in designing this accredited and 100 percent online program that includes the following unique program features.
- Each student works with a senior health care executive who will be a mentor from start to finish. This feature is both unique and essential to the MSHCL program because research shows that the most important determinant of long-term leadership success is mentoring. Subsequently, students will work with mentors in the field who can model behavior and help them navigate very complex health care settings. Such mentoring will help each student become an effective leader in today’s rapidly changing health care field.
- To encourage professionalism and to foster enthusiasm for life-long learning, each student in the MSHCL program will be given a membership of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)—the premier professional organization for health care leaders.
- As part of the admission process, each student must identify a work-related project that is addressed throughout their coursework. At the conclusion of the program, each student will have a work plan or a finished project ready for implementation.
- In addition, the MSHCL program offers coursework that emphasizes population health, social entrepreneurship, and data analytics. After completing this program in 12 months on a full-time basis, each graduate will be prepared to provide ethical and creative leadership that promotes social justice in health care.
Unlike MBA programs that cost at least two to four times more than the MSHCL program, this program is also distinct and different from MBA in health care, MHA, and MPH degree programs in this one key way: The MSHCL Program trains participants to lead financially successful organizations and foster social justice in health care delivery—not study policy or develop research models. The MSHCL program will impart practical knowledge and leadership skills for achieving social change, as well as fostering creative problem solving within an ethical framework. Ultimately, graduates of the MSHCL program will drive success within their health care organizations.
About Kim C. Byas, Sr., PhD, MPH, FACHE
Dr. Byas is Program Director, Union Institute & University’s Master of Science in Health Care Leadership degree. Prior to accepting this position, he served for more than 16 years as the regional executive with the American Hospital Association working with hospitals on federal advocacy, health care system transformation, and health policy.
He has more than 40 years of successful leadership and innovation in health care settings ranging from his role as the interim president/CEO, Institute for Diversity in Health Management; CEO of Kailo Alliance—a health care strategic consulting company; executive director of a multispecialty physicians group; and as adjunct faculty with DePaul University’s Master in Public Administration program and Loyola University of Chicago’s MBA in Healthcare.
Dr. Byas received his Ph.D. with a concentration in Ethical and Creative Leadership from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati; Master in Public Health from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and B.A. from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
He volunteers with many not-for-profit organizations—including the National Association of Health Services Executives; the HCA Corris Boyd Scholarship Committee; the advisory boards of the Master of Health Administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Master of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati; March of Dimes—Chicago and Illinois; the Advisory Board to the Office of Equity and Inclusion at The University of Michigan, and the Multi-racial and Multicultural Council of the National Rural Health Association.
He is a former board member with Union Institute & University where he served as vice-chair; a board member of the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University; and a founding board member and past chair of the Asian Health Care Leaders Association.
ACADEMIC HONORS
Oncology Research Fellowship, Harper‑Grace Hospital; Detroit, MI
Philosophy Honor Society, Wittenberg; Springfield, OH
Summer Research Fellowship, Michigan Cancer Foundation; Detroit, MI
Indiana State Hoosier Scholar; Gary, IN
Federal Government
Grant Reviewer for HHS Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
Adviser to the HHS Office of Minority Health
HPSA & MUA Advisory Committee, HRSA
Professional Associations
American College of Healthcare Executives
American Public Health Association
American Society of Association Executives
Asian Health Care Leaders Association—founding board member and board chair (2011-2013)
Chicago Health Executive Forum
Multi-cultural and Multi-racial Council of the National Rural Health Association
National Association of Health Service Executives—Chicago Chapter
Speaker and Trainer
Presentations at state, regional, national, and international conferences such as International Conference of Nurse Practitioners and Advance Practice Nurses in Rotterdam, Healthcare Financial Management Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, American Hospital Association, Federal Office of Rural Health, Health and Human Services—Office of Minority Health, March of Dimes, National Association of Health Service Executives, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.