Name: Rooshna Ali Khan | Institution: University of Memphis School of Public Health | Course: Master of Health Administration | Location: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Highlights
- Global healthcare pathway: Rooshna Ali Khan is pursuing a Master of Health Administration at the University of Memphis School of Public Health in the US
- Prestigious program: Her CAHME-accredited course focuses on healthcare leadership, finance, policy, analytics, and healthcare systems
- Real-world exposure: Alongside academics, she serves as an Administrative Resident at Regional One Health Hospital and attends global healthcare conferences
- Campus life and growth: Research opportunities, leadership programs, networking events, and vibrant student activities are shaping her professional journey
Rooshna with her peers of University of Memphis School of Public Health during an inter-university competition
A program designed for future healthcare leaders
The University of Memphis School of Public Health is regarded as one of the premier metropolitan public health programs in the United States, focused on creating innovators who work closely with communities and tackle complex public health challenges.
For Rooshna, choosing the university was driven by the institution’s immersive and hands-on approach to healthcare management education. “The high-quality, on-campus healthcare management learning and immersive experiences made me opt for this institution,” Rooshna tells The Global Indian.
Her course is a prestigious CAHME-accredited (Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education) program.
“It represents the gold standard in healthcare management education. Its accreditation signifies excellence, global recognition, and rigorous training in leadership, strategy, and healthcare systems.” Being part of a CAHME-accredited program places her among a distinguished group of future healthcare leaders prepared to operate at the highest levels internationally.
“With healthcare systems rapidly evolving, there is a growing demand for skilled leaders who can manage, innovate, and transform healthcare delivery,” says Rooshna, whose academic focus includes healthcare finance, health policy, quantitative analytics, and healthcare law.
Finding purpose beyond the classroom
When Rooshna travelled to Houston for the ACHE Congress on Healthcare Leadership in March 2026, she was unsure of what to expect. As part of the student delegation from the University of Memphis School of Public Health, she found herself surrounded by some of the most influential voices in global healthcare.
A week after returning home, she realized something had changed. The conversations she had with healthcare leaders about policy, innovation, and leadership had given her more than professional exposure — they had given her clarity and direction.
She had the opportunity to meet several global healthcare leaders, including Noel J. Cárdenas, Deborah J. Bowen, and Michael Ugwueke. “It was an honour to meet and learn from them. Their wisdom and impactful journeys are truly inspiring,” she says.
Learning leadership from day one
One of the university’s award-winning approaches to leadership development is its “Day One” program, which includes a team development retreat before students officially enter the course, followed by seminars focused on core professional competencies.
Students learn how to manage healthcare staff, navigate healthcare policies and laws, oversee financial management, conduct strategic planning, and use data-driven decision-making to improve organizational performance. For Rooshna, the program is preparing her for leadership roles across global healthcare systems.
“It positions me for leadership roles in major hospital networks across the United States, the Middle East, and Asia,” she says. “It also opens opportunities in global healthcare consulting, advisory firms, healthcare innovation, digital health, and system transformation.”
Academic excellence
Before beginning her master’s degree, Rooshna graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Memphis College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science degree — the institution’s highest academic honor.
“This achievement was not accidental — it was built through daily discipline, focus, and the refusal to give up,” she says.
Her academic journey, however, has also been shaped by sacrifice and resilience. Married at a young age, Rooshna paused her undergraduate studies in Malaysia before moving to the United States with her husband, Dr. Owais Yahya.
“Moving from the comfort of Hyderabad to a new country without a support system demanded courage, adaptability, and inner strength,” she says. “True commitment means holding on to your vision, even when life makes you pause.”
Rooshna while receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis College of Health Sciences
Combining classroom learning with practical exposure
Alongside her studies, Rooshna serves as an Administrative Resident at Regional One Health Hospital, gaining hands-on exposure to healthcare operations and real-world healthcare delivery.
“This combination of academic excellence and practical exposure strengthens my path towards global leadership,” she says, adding that her qualifications carry international credibility and can help her build a career that transcends borders.
She also credits the university’s faculty for creating an environment that extends learning beyond textbooks and classrooms.
The professors at the University of Memphis are highly engaged researchers respected by clinicians, investigators, and healthcare specialists globally.m“We are given opportunities to engage in research alongside them and serve the community while earning a degree,” she says.
A campus community beyond academics
From guest lectures and professional development workshops to research seminars and community outreach initiatives, the university regularly creates opportunities for students, faculty, and professionals to collaborate and learn together.
But for Rooshna, campus life is equally defined by the sense of community the university fosters. She cherishes the vibrant campus culture, where picnics, socials, potlucks, and student gatherings bring together people from diverse backgrounds and create a close-knit environment beyond academics.
For Rooshna, the experience at the University of Memphis has become far more than earning a degree. It is a journey of growth, reinvention, leadership, and finding purpose — both inside and outside the classroom.
- Follow Rooshna Ali Khan on LinkedIn
