SBJ file

Drury University is rolling out a new master's degree program in health care administration.

Jay Guffey

Steve Edwards

Longtime health care execs help launch new degree program at Drury

BY: Geoff Pickle, Digital Editorgpickle@sbj.net

Posted online January 21, 2025 | 12:26 pm

MBA program to return at Drury

The Master of Business Administration program is returning to Drury University.

The newly revamped program, offering two completion tracks in accounting and general management, is scheduled to start this fall, according to a news release. An accelerated one-year path and a traditional two-year option are available.

“Our reimagined MBA program is tailored for professionals across diverse industries such as health care, manufacturing, banking and finance,” said Daniel Bumblauskas, dean of the Breech School of Business Administration at Drury, in the release. “The flexibility and relevance of the curriculum reflect our commitment to providing practical, impactful education that aligns with the needs of today’s workforce.”

Rex Ybañez, a Drury spokesperson, said the university has not operated the MBA program this academic year after its director, Robin Soster, exited in spring 2024. Soster, who worked at Drury for six years, has been with Ohio State University since May 2024, according to her LinkedIn profile. Arlisa Campbell, assistant professor of management at Drury, has been tapped to serve as the MBA program's new director, according to the release.

Kevin Kropf, executive vice president of enrollment management, marketing and communications, provided additional clarification via email.

"We paused enrolling new students for one year as we dealt with some personal changes, including a new dean, Dr. Daniel Bumblauskas, who started this past fall," Kropf said. "Given that the Breech School would have new leadership and potentially a new vision for what the MBA program should be, the decision was made to not enroll new students in 2024. We have, however, continued to teach students who were already in the program."

Two longtime health care executives who are retired from Springfield's largest employers are spearheading a new degree program at Drury University.

The Springfield university this year is launching a master's in health care administration program, according to a news release. Jay Guffey, retired chief operating officer of Mercy Springfield Communities, and Steve Edwards, retired president and CEO of CoxHealth, are partnering to help bring the program to fruition.

"Built on the foundation of a liberal arts university, I believe Drury's MHA program will set a new standard," Edwards said in the release. "We will combine C-suite health care leaders and health care academicians to teach future health care leaders the skills, knowledge, integrity and character necessary to lead in this important industry."

Input from CoxHealth, Mercy Springfield Communities, Burrell Behavioral Health and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department was gathered to help develop the new master's degree program.

Drury officials say CoxHealth and Mercy have committed to serve as financial partners for the program, and the health systems will recruit and enroll certain employees to help them develop their leadership skills. Burrell also will serve as an economic contributor, with Jordan Valley Community Health Center on board as a program advocate, according to the release.

"By bringing together the expertise of distinguished health care leaders and our strong academic foundations, we are creating a program that will develop health care administrators who understand both the theoretical frameworks and practical challenges of modern health care delivery," Drury Provost Beth Harville said in the release.

The degree program is expected to debut this fall with plans for 25 students in the first class, Guffey said via email.

Last month, Drury announced the selection of Justin Gambini to serve as director of its physician assistant program, the university's first health-related master's degree that debuted in 2023, according to past reporting.

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Longtime health care execs help launch new degree program at Drury

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