Heather Grubb

Background

Hometown

I grew up in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Most of my immediate and extended relatives live in Glenside, PA where our family store, Gerhard's Appliances, Inc. is based.

Right now I live in Ithaca, NY with four of my closest friends from Ithaca College.

Family

I have a 19-year-old sister, Jayne, who goes to Eastern University and a 17-year-old brother, Ben, who is a senior at Abington High School. My mom is a health insurance broker and my dad is a rescue instructor and VP of ESI Equipment, Inc.

My boyfriend, Dave, is from Rochester, NY. We have a big dog named Beezy... who was tiny when we got him.

Work

I work at a restaurant on the southern tip of Cayuga Lake called The Boatyard Grill. I'm searching for my replacement before I move, if anyone's interested!

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Education

I am a senior undergraduate at Ithaca College. I will graduate this May with a B.A. in Health Policy Studies and a minor in Business Administration.

I was accepted into Ithaca College as a pre-med major. Although I wasn't exactly sure of what I wanted to do with my life, I had always found interest in the medical field and healthcare industry. During my freshman year I took an array of classes related to healthcare, from the sciences that were required for my degree to a class on consumerism in the health field. Unsure of whether or not I wanted to focus on the science or business side of healthcare, I joined HPMA to gain insight from my peers. After that I spent a few educational years interning for both private and not-for-profit organizations in the healthcare industry.

The most influential force in during my educational year was where I chose to involve myself. I would encourage anyone who has found intrigue in healthcare to get involved on and off campus and find your purpose. See Activities to learn more about what I am doing today and how you can also get involved!

After I graduate I plan to work for a few years before going seeking an MBA, MHA, and/or law degree.

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Activities

Ithaca College Association of Healthcare Professionals (iCAHP)

iCAHP is a student organization on campus at IC. I joined iCAHP, formerly known as the Health Policy & Management Association (HPMA) when I was a freshman and was on the executive board by the time I was a junior. Last year I was elected President for the 2007-2008 term.This year we have re-vamped the organization to include all healthcare professionals graduating from IC, hence the name change.

If you are majoring in healthy policy studies, healthcare administration, community health, or health sciences contact us to get the _lowdown on what we do!

(OFFICIAL iCAHP WEBSITE COMING SOON!)

Twin Tiers Healthcare Executives Association (TTHEA)

TTHEA is a local chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), covering Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties in NY; Bradford and Tioga Counties in PA.

ACHE is a worldwide professional society of executives leading healthcare organizations such as hospitals and healthcare systems, among others. Aside from the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, ACHE offers prestigious credentialing, excellent networking, and other educational programs.

This year TTHEA will receive the 2008 Award of Chapter Merit during the '08 Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Chigaco.

I joined TTHEA as a student affiliate after attending a conference in 2005. I was appointed to the board this past December as the undergraduate student board representative.

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