Ava Zollinger

Hi! My name is Ava Zollinger, and I am a second-year Master of Health Administration student from Orlando, Florida. I graduated from Smith College in 2024 with a B.A. in Integrative Biology and a minor in Environmental Science and Policy. My passion for public health began during an internship at the DP Marais Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, where I experienced a severe lack of resources and infrastructure. My goal through this program is to bring effective U.S. policies to underserved countries, making an impact on global healthcare accessibility and quality. 

I recently completed my summer residency with The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's new inpatient tower Activation Team, which will support up to 820 patients and is scheduled to open in February 2026. As a Graduate Administrative Resident, I led multiple projects, joined executive leadership committees, and contributed to activities including budget planning, event coordination, and communication strategies. Now in my last year of the MHA program, I’m excited to continue working with this team while advancing my academic and professional development.

Elijah Beard

Hello! My name is Elijah Beard, and I am a first-year Master of Health Administration student from Harrisburg, PA. While earning a B.S. degree in Health Policy and Administration at Penn State, I completed an administrative internship with the Mayo Clinic. Working alongside dedicated healthcare professionals was an invaluable learning experience and reassured my desire to pursue an MHA after graduation.

 In my career, I strive to drive meaningful change and positively impact lives– those of patients, colleagues, community members, and ultimately anyone I may encounter. Ohio State‘s MHA program is preparing me to achieve my career goals by improving systems, removing barriers, and advancing equity, so that all patients can receive high-quality and accessible healthcare.

Grace Miller

Hi! My name is Grace Miller and I’m a first-year Master of Health Administration student from Orlando, Florida. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2025 with a BA in Economics and minors in Geography and Portuguese. I’ve gained experience through internships in the Finance Department at UF Health and the Strategy Department at Orlando Health. I’m passionate about addressing systemic inequalities in healthcare and advancing sustainability within the industry. Through this program, I am looking forward to opportunities to develop solutions that promote equity, efficiency, and long-term impact in healthcare systems.