University of Pittsburgh
Graduate School of Public Health

Strategic Management of Health Services Organizations
HSADM 2150
Fall Term

Adjunct Faculty John Zanardelli, MPH, FACHE
Executive Director and CEO
United Methodist Services for the Aging;
Adjunct Assistant Professor,
Graduate School of Public Health
Phone Numbers: 412-571-5134 (Work)
412-851-1436 (Home Office; for urgent matters only)
There is voice mail capabilities on both numbers.   If I am not available,
please leave a message.  I check my messages frequently.
412-571-5111 (Fax)
e-mail: johnzan+@pitt.edu
Secretary: At Asbury:   Audrey Burgoon, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 571-5121; Fax: 571-5111; e-mail: albatumsa@aol.com

At Pitt: Ceil Tirpak
Phone: 624-3875; Fax: 624-3146
e-mail: hsacmt@vms.cis.pitt.edu
Office/Office Hours:
by appointment at Asbury Heights
700 Bower Hill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
or
by appointment at		 Graduate School of Public Health
Course Number: HSADM 2150
Day and Time: Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
Room: A622 Crabtree Hall
Credits: 3 Graduate
Course Description: Strategic Management of Health Services Organizations is a capstone course.   It attempts to provide an approach to integrating specific knowledge acquired in such courses as marketing, finance, accounting, health care policy, etc. for the purpose of developing, implementing and controlling an organization's strategic plan.   The course is developed from the perspective of a senior healthcare executive.
Course Objectives:
  1. To understand the difference between leadership and management and to use this understanding to differentiate between "doing the right thing" and "doing it right";
  2. To understand the basic model of strategic management enabling the creation of a rationale strategic plan for a health services organization which meets a societal need and is feasible from a business perspective;
  3. To develop an appreciation for and an understanding of the human dynamic in the development and implementation of organizational plans;
  4. To develop an understanding of the complexities of integrating functional knowledge into leadership capabilities; and
  5. To have an enjoyable learning experience in which some highly useful knowledge is acquired whcih will provide maximum opportunity for future success in the workplace.

Student Responsibilities:

Students are responsible for completing all readings as designated on the course outline.   I suggest you read the material AFTER it has been introduced in class.   By doing it in this manner, you will be somewhat familar with the material and the reading will reinforce what you already know.

Although attendance is not mandatory, it is a good idea to attend regularly.

Teaching Philosophy and Methods:

I will do all I can to make this course enjoyable, highly educational and above all, useful to your careers.   It is my responsibility to create an environment where learning is fun; if you are not enjoying this class, then I am not doing my job.   I am here to facilitate the learning process, but remember, this is a collective effort; I do not have all the answers, no one does.


The classes will be a combination of lectures, discussions and case presentation/discussions.   I will always give you the overall picture of what it is I am trying to convey, the so-called "big picture," before delving into the details.   In this manner, you'll get both the concepts as well as tools and techniques.   The students will be able to demonstrate what they have learned during the course as they will be presenting, in small groups, a strategic plan that they have developed to a Board of Directors, as the concluding exercise of the course.   Several guest lecturers will assist me in presenting material on several selected topics.

Course Materials:

Basic Text (required and available for purchase in the Health Center Bookstore):
Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations, Third Edition, Ginter, Swayne, and Duncan, 1998, Blackwell Publishers, Molden, MA.

Citations for readings not found in the basic text will be made available to the students.   Additionally, a bibliography of references, readily available in libraries and bookstores, will be provided for those who wish to go deeper into a particular area.


Required Assignments and Student Evaluation

This course requires both individual and group preparation.   Individually, each student will be required to:

  1. Participate fully in the classroom discussions; and
  2. Be an active participant in the group project/assorted assignments.
As part of a group project, students will be responsible for:
  1. The preparation of an presentation to a Board of Directors of a strategic plan for Unite Methodist Services for the Aging
Final grades will be based upon the following:
  • Prepartation and presentation of strategic plan
  • Class participation
 60%
40%
100%

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