front entrance of huff hall

Student Profile

Zaid Ahmed

Zaid Ahmed

What keeps you busy outside of your coursework?

Outside of my coursework, I am an avid reader, video gamer, and basketball player. What I enjoy most is getting to see my cousins and other family members. My family is huge!

What inspired you to pursue a MHA degree?

I was inspired to pursue an MHA degree because I wanted to influence change in the healthcare industry at a higher level than in patient-facing roles like physicians and nurses. Plus, I can't handle blood! My goal is to continue integrating technology with healthcare to make our hospitals more efficient by cutting down major problems like surgical site infections and ED overcrowding. Technology and data analysis will allow us to make the best decisions for the health of our patients and for the smooth operations of our health organizations.

Why did you choose Illinois for your MHA?

I chose Illinois for my MHA because I had already done my undergraduate degree here and it just made sense to stick with the campus, I was already so familiar with. I also knew some of the faculty and professors, which is also pretty awesome. UIUC's MHA is also a pretty new program with smaller class sizes which makes the learning experience more intimate.

What advice do you have for current students OR prospective students?

My advice to students, both prospective and current, is to branch out! I would have never been a Community Health major if I hadn't decided to reach out to a friend of a friend who showed me the ropes. He convinced me to change majors and I never looked back. You never know who could make a big difference in your life, so just don't hesitate to say hello and start a conversation!