Jason LaSuzzo was on track to spend his career in academia before a chance meeting turned him to health care management.
While earning his Ph.D in exercise physiology, Dr. LaSuzzo signed up for a 5K in Alabama, where he met physician Dr. Blane Schilling.
“Dr. Schilling invited me to go running with him a couple times after that,” said Dr. LaSuzzo. “Then, he asked if I would take over a program at the hospital he worked at while I completed my Ph.D. So, I did.” 
Dr. LaSuzzo went on to serve as a department manager in the UNC Health Care System in Hendersonville, North Carolina. For nearly a decade, he was responsible for programs within the cardiac service line.
While in that leadership role, he enrolled in the 鶹ҹ's MBA in Health Care Administration online.
“I’d wanted to go back to get an MBA for some time,” he said.
A string of surgeries and lengthy rehabs for injuries sustained in a cycling accident had delayed his MBA aspirations.
“I never let go of my ultimate goal to have a role in senior management,” he said. “After researching 鶹ҹ's online program, I felt it'd be a great fit and put my career goals within reach.”
Dr. LaSuzzo, who grew up on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, had a few motivations behind enrolling at 鶹ҹ.
“Earning an AACSB accredited degree from a reputable university in my home state was the right move. It let me pursue a quality education from a school I felt connected to, including its faculty, students and alumni,” Dr. LaSuzzo said.
“After considering the program’s reputation, flexibility and cost, I knew it was the right fit for me.”
Earning an MBA from 鶹ҹ also allowed Dr. LaSuzzo to feel connected to south Louisiana’s Cajun culture.
Critical Factors
A lifelong athlete, Dr. LaSuzzo competed at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He ended his athletic career to focus on academics.
He then moved to the University of Alabama, where he graduated with a Ph.D. in exercise physiology. He was a graduate teaching assistant for three years before joining Dr. Schilling at a medical center near Tuscaloosa.
“My master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology relates more to the cardiac perspective,” he said. “Moving away from a career in academia has been wonderful. It's helped me reach those with chronic disease by developing services designed to improve their quality of life.”
The flexibility of the fully online format in the MBA in Health Care Administration program worked well for Dr. LaSuzzo.
“With my time restraints, being able to access lectures and assignments in the evenings or weekends worked well," he said. "Though it could be challenging, the 8-week terms helped me complete two courses each semester. I'd take one over the summer, too, so I was still able to perform my duties at work.
Dr. LaSuzzo graduated the MBA in Health Care Administration program online in May 2020.
He credits the curriculum with adding useful insights to the business knowledge he has gained from experience in the field.
“It’s not that the material has been completely new to me. Throughout my career I've had to apply many of those concepts to the program management I'm responsible for,” he said. “But the coursework gave me the tools to be a strong leader and a valuable asset to our organization. I know it will inevitably serve me well throughout my career.”
Keeping Pace
What's Dr. LaSuzzo's secret to success in earning a graduate degree online? A support system, hard work, and perseverance.
“My wife, Denise, was especially supportive. As were my friends and the leadership where I worked,” he said.
“After the first course, you realize there's still a bit of work and sacrifice that has to happen before you get to graduate. But you also realize you've invested time and money and are therefore committed to finishing the program. You realize the ways a degree will help you achieve your career goals.”
Dr. LaSuzzo believes keeping expectations in check is important during and beyond any graduate degree program.
“I don’t believe the degree in and of itself will secure the position you're aiming for. But I do believe the credential, combined with experience, strong work ethic, and effective communication will better position you to achieve your goals.”
Completing the MBA program online brought added benefits Dr. LaSuzzo considers advantageous.
“I’ve learned from a tremendous faculty and been challenged by the program’s rigorous curriculum. I’ve also had the chance to network with peers from across the country and join the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. I also learned a little bit about myself. All in all, this has been a wonderful experience.”