IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Justin H. Ako, D.C., BSBA, has joined West Coast University as Department Chair of the Master of Science in Health Care Management (MSHCM) program. Health Care Management combines clinical and information technology competence with management and leadership skills in the provision of preventative, emergency, long-term, and public health care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2010 to 20201.
Joining West Coast University is a homecoming for Dr. Ako, who attended WCU as a student 20 years ago, and recently served as an adjunct professor. After working in private practice as a chiropractor for 18 years, Dr. Ako transitioned to a teaching role. As Dean of Wellness at Fremont College, he helped grow their Wellness Program and assisted with curriculum development, multiple student programs, building of the sports and rehabilitation department, and faculty support.
Now at West Coast University, Dr. Ako brings great enthusiasm for the Masters in Health Care Management program. “Our students are applying what they have learned, turning knowledge and experience into real world success,” said Ako. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
West Coast University President Dr. Barry T. Ryan said, “Dr. Ako is a tremendous addition to West Coast University’s administrative team. Given his experience, qualifications and vision to grow an outstanding program, I have confidence that the Master of Science in Health Care Management will continue to blossom into another one of our academic success stories.”
Steven Johnson, a second cohort graduate and nurse recruiter at UCLA Health System, is one example of an MSHCM graduate who is making a difference in the field of health care, while bringing attention to the high caliber of other WCU students. “We hired 75 West Coast University (nursing) students to help hospital administrators and doctors with the federally-required change-over to electronic medical records—more than double the number hired from any other school. The feedback from my recruiter colleagues is that the WCU candidates were extremely prepared and interviewed well,” said Johnson.
Another MSHCM graduate (third cohort), Jill Dickson, is the Clinical Manager of Cancer Services at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. She was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation for a cancer survivorship program, which had its beginnings as one of her final projects with the West Coast University MHCM program.
Dr. Ako received his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in Marketing/Strategic Management from Creighton University. He is a faculty associate member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. He holds chiropractic licenses in California and Hawaii and is also a member of the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association.
1http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-6