Experiential learning
The Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) program combines asynchronous learning with the opportunity for experiential learning. Students have the opportunity to address real world scenarios, build critical thinking skills and consider some of the complex challenges currently facing the health care sector. The program provides connection with top tier health care leaders and aligns with the Telfer School's vision for fostering a greener, healthier, happier, wealthier, and more prosperous Canada for all. Developing leaders with the ability to address and promote change and innovation in the health care sector is critical to the future of health care.
Capstone experience
The capstone experience is the culmination of your EMHA program experience. Apply your course content, discussions, and insights from the program to a real-world health care challenge. Meet with your classmates, select faculty, and industry leaders in Ottawa to take part in a stimulating integrative week. Expand your learning with case-based group work and present your findings.
Connect with world-class speakers in person to hear their perspectives on current health care issues and discover how they’ve applied their leadership skills to foster innovation. Visit organizations in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, to explore health care innovation in hospitals, community settings, and health care startups. Learn in Ottawa at the Telfer Centre for Executive Leadership located in the heart of downtown.
Healthcare leadership: Silicon Valley Cohort 2 EMHA Capstone 2024
In May 2024, the Telfer Executive Master’s in Health Administration program introduced an option for an international EMHA capstone in Silicon Valley. After nearly two years of online study, students were able to enjoy an immersive experience that allowed them to apply their learning in real-world health-care settings. The 2024 cohort chose to visit Silicon Valley, to gain first-hand insight into health-care innovation through engaging lectures and site visits.
Students explored cutting-edge health-care practices at renowned institutions like Stanford University, Kaiser South San Francisco and Cisco Systems. They learned how these organizations integrate technology and innovation to improve care delivery and efficiency. Highlights included visits to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford’s Byers Center for Biodesign, and Intuitive Surgical. These experiences deepened the cohort’s understanding of health-care leadership and how public-private partnerships can drive innovation.
Leadership coaching
Participate in the unique Leadership Coaching program offered as part of your experience in the EMHA program to match with an accomplished health care leader. Connect one-on-one with a senior executive to explore aspects of leadership relevant to your current role and build a lasting relationship with a health care leader.
Our senior executive and C-suite coaches come from various health care settings including acute care hospitals, mental health organizations, community programs and government agencies. Each coach is invested in the future of health care and wants to support the development of the next generation of health care leaders.
If you choose to participate, the leadership coaching opportunity is offered in your fifth term. We’ll pair you with the coach best suited to address your learning and career goals. Your assigned coach will meet with you at least three times during the last two terms of your second year of studies.
I really enjoyed the leadership coaching program. I developed a very strong bond with my coach right from the beginning. My coach offered guidance, was extremely encouraging, promoted critical thinking by presenting real-world challenges and scenarios, and prompted me to be creative and solution oriented. The experience was one of the best in my career thus far and really helped to shape my executive mindset. I am forever grateful for the time, commitment, attention, energy and compassion that was offered to me by my coach in this opportunity. It was a true gift!
— Jessica McLaren, RN, BN, MHA
Clinical Director, Ambulatory and Inpatient Care
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Networking and creating connections
Learn and collaborate with individuals with a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. The diversity of the Executive MHA class profile allows you to learn from experienced faculty members, industry experts, and from your peers. As a candidate, you bring a unique perspective to the classroom as you draw upon your professional and personal background. During the course of your program, you will have many opportunities to forge new connections, such as:
Using the Microsoft Teams platform, through the course of the EMHA program, enables students to meet and develop connections with peers in organizations across Canada.
Online synchronous touchpoints with professors create the opportunity to meet and engage with professors who are health care administration experts.
Students upon graduation become members of the Telfer Alumni Association and can participate in the events, lectures, and online experiences available to Alumni, creating a vast network of health care and business leaders.
I particularly enjoyed the leadership coaching. My coach was able to guide and connect me with other executive leaders. We were able to have very open conversations about my future and what I needed to do to get there. I am very appreciative of the Telfer program and the connections I have been able to make.
— Dr. Ala Qahwash
Director, Regional Cardiac and Critical Care Programs
St. Mary’s General Hospital
Previous partners
Many health care organizations and health care leaders in the Ottawa area are committed to supporting EMHA students during the capstone week through on-site visits or presentations. Some examples of the contributors include:
