Dean Stuart Shapiro of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy recently hosted William Tuttle, Senior Fellow in the school’s Health Administration program, on the EJB Talks podcast. The discussion focused on lifelong learning and leadership in healthcare administration, as well as the role of advanced education such as the Doctorate in Health Administration (DHA).
Tuttle described his transition from a planned career in medicine to hospital management after taking organic chemistry and meeting with mentors who introduced him to healthcare administration. He spent 38 years at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, working across various departments and eventually leading a rural hospital before joining corporate administration. “I was very fortunate in that I had, like, multiple careers with one organization,” said Tuttle.
He emphasized the importance of communication skills and long-term planning for leaders in healthcare. Tuttle recounted an incident involving a car accident that underscored the necessity of rural hospitals: “Some of those young people would never have survived without that emergency room.”
Discussing trends in healthcare leadership education, Tuttle noted the growing value of terminal degrees such as the DHA. He explained that Rutgers’ new DHA program is designed for experienced professionals looking to deepen their academic background and research abilities. “It provides an opportunity for ‘practitioners’ to strengthen their academic background and credentials by way of a formal degree,” he said.
The conversation also covered how DHA students develop skills in applied research, data analysis, and critical thinking—tools considered essential for improving healthcare systems. Tuttle pointed out that while many sectors generate large amounts of data, there is still a need to turn this information into actionable insights: “In healthcare we are choking on data, but starving for information.”
Tuttle stated that earning a DHA can open doors to higher-level executive roles or positions in academia and policy-making. He shared his own motivation for teaching: “My interest in teaching is really driven by a desire to give back to the profession.”
Shapiro highlighted that Bloustein’s DHA program offers students opportunities beyond traditional coursework through its connections with public policy faculty and public health experts.
The podcast concluded with both guests reflecting on how advanced study changes perspectives: “The big takeaway about getting a DHA or your doctorate? I read things differently…those skill sets you’ll pick up through the DHA program,” said Tuttle.
