In this edition of Almabase Spotlights, we highlight a forward-thinking initiative by the Department of Health Services Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham that makes students career-ready by leveraging the expertise of the university's alumni.

Inspiring and motivating alums by sharing knowledge through Alumni Centric Webinars

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the university rose to the occasion, organizing monthly webinars from April 2020 to December 2021. These webinars focused on the pandemic's impact on healthcare, tackling crucial subjects such as securing personal protective equipment (PPE) and adapting hospital facilities. Through these sessions, alumni from various departments found common ground, exchanging knowledge and fostering meaningful connections.

The success of the Alumni Webinars during the pandemic fueled the university's determination to continue this impactful initiative. In 2022, they adjusted the frequency to every other month, ensuring a steady flow of engaging content. Looking ahead, the university has planned a series of webinars for 2023, with sessions scheduled in January, February, March, and later in the fall.

The participation rate of these webinars is a testament to their effectiveness, with approximately 50% of registered alumni attending the live events. Recognizing the importance of flexibility, the university goes the extra mile by providing webinar recordings to registered participants. This allows busy individuals to catch up at their convenience and has led to increased engagement metrics, as more alumni are visiting the webinar page to access the wealth of knowledge shared by esteemed panelists.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Alumni Webinars serves as an inspiration to other institutions, showcasing the power of virtual events in fostering connections, providing ongoing education, and creating a strong sense of community among alumni. By consistently addressing relevant topics and embracing the digital realm, the university continues to nurture lifelong relationships with its graduates.

🌟Source of Inspiration

‍Randa Hall is currently the Associate Chair, External Relations, and Alumni Affairs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She started her journey with her alma mater as the Assistant Director of the MSHA Program and has been with the institution for over 21 years, where she has held a variety of roles, from student recruitment to placements for internships and administrative residencies to MSHA Program Director.

In her current role, she is responsible for engaging alumni within the Department of Health Services Administration with other alumni, students, and faculty through mentoring initiatives, regional events, and continuing education programming. She chairs the national UAB Health Administration Case Competition (www.hacasecompetition.com), which brings together graduate students from across the country for a capstone experience and networking opportunity with national healthcare executives in Birmingham, Alabama.