MHA Students Engage With Top Executives at Healthcare Roundtable
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
From left: Vikram Dayalu, interim dean of the School of Health and Medical Sciences; Michele Sutton, president and CEO of North Oaks Health System; MHA students Kruti Lotia and Imani Chambers; and Nalin Johri, MHA program director.
Seton Hall’s Master of Healthcare Administration program, in partnership with the American College of Healthcare Executives, New Jersey, hosted its annual C-Suite Roundtable on March 4 at the South Orange campus, bringing together prominent healthcare leaders to discuss the industry’s most pressing topics.
Titled “Financial Sustainability of Healthcare Organizations: A Plan of Action,” the event offered MHA students real-world insights into the financial challenges facing the healthcare industry and to network with experienced professionals.
The evening began with a networking session, where students engaged with executives, asked questions and explored potential mentorship opportunities.
The annual C-Suite Roundtable is part of the MHA program’s longstanding collaboration with ACHE-NJ, the New Jersey chapter of an international professional network representing more than 50,000 healthcare executives.
“Seton Hall’s MHA program looks forward to hosting this annual event at Bethany Hall,” said program Director and Department Chair Nalin Johri, Ph.D. “Not only are there lively industry debates that our students get to be part of; they also get to meet a wide cross-section of healthcare executives in the region.”
Michele Sutton, FACHE, president and CEO of North Oaks Health System, delivered the keynote address. She spoke about the rising costs and operational pressures affecting healthcare institutions and outlined financial strategies to help organizations remain sustainable. Sutton’s insights emphasized the need for proactive planning and innovative thinking to navigate today’s healthcare landscape.
Following the keynote, a panel discussion featured four senior executives representing a range of healthcare organizations: Stella Visaggio, CPA, chief financial officer of Overlook Medical Center; Christopher Herzog, MHSA, chief operating officer of Atlantic Medical Group; Gian Varbaro, M.D., MBA, chief medical officer of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center; and Ed Jimenez, MBA, chief executive officer of University Hospital.
The panelists offered perspectives on overcoming financial challenges, developing cost-effective models and adopting actionable strategies for navigating reimbursement and operational pressures.
MHA students engaged in the healthcare conversation at the annual C-Suite Roundtable in Bethany Hall.
Students expressed positive feedback on the event. "Learning from industry experts gave me a deeper understanding of healthcare financial strategies,” said Imani Chambers, a first-year MHA student. “It was eye-opening to hear how top executives approach financial challenges in their organizations.”
About Seton Hall’s MHA program
Consistently ranked among the nation’s top 50 MHA programs by U.S. News & World Report,
Seton Hall’s 42-credit master of healthcare administration is accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
The program welcomes aspiring healthcare professionals as well as early to mid-career individuals seeking career advancement. MHA students work in diverse settings — hospitals, healthcare systems, assisted-living facilities, insurance organizations, pharmaceutical companies and the military — fostering dynamic class discussions and valuable networking opportunities.
The program is offered in two delivery formats — on-campus or online/hybrid — both featuring the same engaging curriculum, nationally recognized faculty and robust professional networking opportunities.
Categories: Health and Medicine
