UCLA Fielding School of Public Health graduate student Mahenaz Mahida awarded scholarship

Mahenaz Mahida, a student in the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) executive program at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, has been awarded the Winter, 2026 New Student Scholarship. The MHA program is led by Dr. Laura Erskine, professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management (HPM), and is administered by the Office of the Executive Programs in HPM. 

Mahida spoke with UCLA Fielding's Gigi Hooghkirk about her background and experience in the MHA program.

Q: With your (professional) healthcare background and your Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Administration from California State University, Long Beach), what inspired you to pursue your MHA at UCLA?

Mahida: I have always wanted to pursue my master’s degree because I am a firm believer in lifelong learning. At the same time, I recognize that higher education is a significant investment, so I wanted to be certain this was the right path for me before moving forward.

During my bachelor’s studies, I changed my major once as I clarified my interests, ultimately choosing to pursue a career in healthcare. My motivation stems in part from personal experience: I come from a family with multiple hereditary health challenges, which led me to spend a great deal of time in hospitals supporting loved ones, including my parents. Through those experiences, I witnessed both care environments that were deeply patient-centered and others that were more focused on financial considerations. Early on, I became aware of the many challenges within our healthcare system and developed a desire to be part of meaningful improvements that make healthy living in America easier, more affordable, and more comfortable.

I am still in the early stages of my career, and I currently work for an ACO in Torrance that truly understands the importance of collaboration between specialists and primary care providers. Together, we work to strengthen those relationships and improve quality outcomes for patients. I am also becoming increasingly aware of the financial and technological complexities that impact care delivery - including how investments in technology, while valuable, also increase costs for facilities.

Q: How will the online format allow you to integrate leadership lessons into your current work in real-time?

Mahida: Through a master’s program, I hope to deepen my understanding of healthcare finance and other key areas so that I can contribute more effectively to solutions that advance both quality and value in our healthcare system. I am particularly excited to pursue my master’s at UCLA, as the curriculum is well aligned with my long-term goals in the industry and offers the academic rigor and resources I seek.

I would also like to express my appreciation for the UCLA enrollment and admissions teams. From the outset, they were responsive, thorough, and supportive, promptly addressing all of my inquiries and guiding me through each step of the application process. Even after acceptance, they connected me with the appropriate teams to ensure I received assistance with all necessary steps, making the transition into the program seamless and reassuring.

Q: This $10,000 scholarship recognizes both your academic excellence and your dedication to the health sector. How does this support help you, and what does it mean to you to be backed by the UCLA Fielding community?

Mahida: It truly means the world to me, and I am deeply grateful for this support. As I mentioned earlier, pursuing higher education is not always financially easy, so receiving this scholarship is an incredible gift. I am especially proud to be pursuing my master’s at UCLA, an institution that recognizes and rewards students in this way.

I am truly appreciative. As an independent student working two jobs to support myself, this award will significantly reduce the financial burden I carry.

I hope that one day I will be in a position to give back to a student like myself. It has long been one of my dreams to support future scholars in this way. For now, I am focused on one dream at a time - and that dream is attending UCLA for my master’s degree.