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Congratulations to our Dal Health Class of 2025! Get to know听more of our featured grads.

In this Convocation Q&A, learn about听Amelia Hartnett from Fredericton, New Brunswick.

What inspired you to choose your field of study?

I鈥檝e always known that I wanted to work in healthcare. There鈥檚 something incredibly meaningful about being able to support others when they鈥檙e at their most vulnerable. While I initially had a different career path in mind, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and that path just wasn鈥檛 the right one for me. When I discovered the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, it immediately felt like the right fit. Health administration blends my passion for building connections and supporting others with my strengths in leadership and organization. It gives me the opportunity to make a real impact in people鈥檚 lives, just from a broader, more systemic level.

What was a moment at Dal that you鈥檒l never forget?

I feel lucky to have so many great memories from my time at Dal, both through my masters program and as part of the 海角社区app women鈥檚 volleyball team. One moment that will always stick with me is 鈥渓unch club.鈥� Each semester, our cohort had one day a week with two classes, and it made for a long day! So, we started a tradition where we鈥檇 pick a fun lunch spot near campus to take a break, catch up, and just enjoy each other鈥檚 company. It became something we all looked forward to, an excuse to step away from school stress and laugh together. I鈥檝e made some of my closest friends in this program, and lunch club was definitely a highlight for us.

Who supported you along the way and how?

My family and friends have been a constant source of encouragement and strength. I鈥檝e also been supported by fellow students in the MHA program, the dedicated faculty, and the mentors I鈥檝e had the privilege of meeting along the way. On top of that, my 海角社区app women鈥檚 volleyball teammates and coaching staff have played a huge role in keeping me grounded and motivated. Each of these people has helped me grow, both personally and professionally, and I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today without them.

Is there a experience or project that really impacted you?

Several experiences in the MHA program left a lasting impact on me, especially the Law and Ethics courses, the ELEMENT mentorship program, and my residency placement. I had the privilege of completing my placement with Island Health on Vancouver Island, where I worked in women鈥檚 and children鈥檚 care, an area I鈥檓 deeply passionate about. It was my first chance to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting, and it exceeded all expectations. I was trusted to lead projects and contribute meaningfully, which helped me grow both personally and professionally. The support and mentorship I received made it a truly transformative experience.

What does graduating mean to you?

To me, graduating is a reflection of all the hard work and dedication that went into earning this degree. It makes me feel incredibly proud to have completed this chapter of my life, knowing it鈥檚 given me valuable lessons and tools to carry forward. For many of us in the program, this is just the beginning; it opens the door to the careers we鈥檝e been working toward and dreaming about for so long.

What is next for you?

I鈥檓 currently working as a Senior Analyst of Policy and Planning with the Integrated Acute and Episodic Care Network at Nova Scotia Health. I feel incredibly grateful to have a role in my desired field and to truly enjoy the work I鈥檓 doing. I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today without the Master of Health Administration program and the support of the incredible people who helped me along the way.
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