Leadership transition for Brown’s Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership

A Transformational Tenure

Under the academic leadership of Dr. Napoli, the Master’s in Healthcare Leadership program underwent a comprehensive transformation to ensure its long-term vitality. 

One of the key initiatives was restructuring the curriculum to allow for an accelerated one-year format. The program’s modality also pivoted to a more flexible hybrid model. These adjustments not only allowed for a more agile and efficient educational experience but also accommodated the diverse schedules and learning preferences of busy healthcare professionals. 

To increase the program's accessibility to a broader range of aspiring healthcare leaders, under Napoli’s tenure a second entry term was added, tuition was reduced, and the team cultivated closer connections between the School of Professional Studies, the School of Public Health and the Medical School.

Further, Dr. Napoli shepherded the faculty through the process of making critical changes to the curriculum. Guided by Brown’s commitment to innovation, content key to contemporary healthcare topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) and workforce development were integrated into the curriculum. All told, these changes resulted in significantly increased enrollment and greater diversity of students and faculty.

Program Director, Sandi Ferretti emphasized Dr. Napoli’s impact on the Master’s in Healthcare Leadership program. “Anthony’s leadership has been instrumental in developing a program that addresses the ongoing challenges leaders encounter in this post-pandemic era and ensures students are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate them. I’m appreciative of his partnership and look forward to his ongoing participation with the program as an instructor and advisor,” she says.

As Dr. Napoli wraps up his leadership responsibilities, he says “It has been an incredible journey contributing to the ongoing leadership development within one of the nation's leading curriculums. I am grateful for the opportunity to have played a role in the program's success and I am confident that, under new leadership, it will continue to thrive and shape the next generation of healthcare leaders.”

A New Era for Healthcare Education

The reimagined Master’s in Healthcare Leadership launches in the summer of 2024, marking a new era for this 11-year old program. At the helm will be Dr. Scott Rivkees.

Dr. Rivkees, a pediatric endocrinologist and physician-scientist, served as Florida’s State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health from June 2019 to September 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, he was Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Florida and Physician-in-Chief at Shands Children’s Hospital.

Rivkees joined Brown University in 2022, and currently serves as a Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice and Director of the Accelerated Master of Public Health program at Brown’s School of Public Health.

Shankar Prasad, dean of the School of Professional Studies expresses his enthusiasm, welcoming Dr. Rivkees to the program’s leadership team. “Dr. Rivkees's expertise and perspective will not only enrich our curriculum development but also inspire our faculty and students as we continue our journey of leadership excellence in healthcare. I’m confident his contributions will positively impact the healthcare leaders of today, and tomorrow.”

“I am honored to join the Healthcare Leadership team as the Academic Director. I look forward to building on the strengths of an incredibly strong and effective program led by Dr. Anthony Napoli and the team,” says Rivkees. 

Over the coming years, Dr. Rivkees hopes to build upon the strengths of the program, including training in leadership, communication, workforce growth and management, healthcare finance and operations, and policy. 

New areas he’d like to explore include how policy can improve healthcare, effective communications amongst colleagues, patients and the public, and how healthcare and public health can enrich one another. 

A large effort will also be given to helping students foster rich connections with classmates and faculty to build a network of healthcare leaders who can inspire and support each other well beyond graduation.  

“Healthcare is dynamic and constantly evolving to meet the challenges of the  communities we serve. The Master’s in Healthcare Leadership has and will continue to provide the skills healthcare professionals need to be effective leaders now and adapt to future needs,” says Rivkees. “I look forward to serving an important role in the education of our current and future healthcare leaders.”