Mission-Driven Healthcare Leadership

Ellia Dalzell ’23
Administrative Fellow, Mayo Clinic
Major: Business with concentrations in Healthcare Leadership and Healthcare Financial Management

Please tell us about yourself.

I am originally from Horace, North Dakota. I’m a graduate of West Fargo Sheyenne High School, Class of 2019, and a 2023 graduate of Concordia College. I majored in business with concentrations in healthcare leadership and healthcare financial management. I graduated in 2025 with a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, exploring the outdoors, creating art, cooking, and baking.

Why did you choose Concordia?

I chose Concordia because of its small class sizes and the vibrant Cobber community. During my first campus visit, I immediately noticed Concordia’s sense of community, which set it apart from other colleges. The campus was full of dedicated individuals who were willing to invest time and effort to ensure students felt welcomed and supported. The smaller class sizes appealed to me as they allowed me to foster meaningful connections with fellow students and professors to create collaborative classrooms.

What drew you to the healthcare leadership program?

For me, the healthcare leadership program at Concordia was the perfect combination of my passion for healthcare and my interest in business administration and leadership. What drew me in was the program’s versatility and the potential it provided for me to leverage my degree beyond Concordia. A healthcare leadership education opens doors to diverse career paths in areas such as care delivery, health insurance, population health, and medical innovation. I saw the program as an entry into various professional avenues in the healthcare industry.

What surprised you about the program?

One thing that surprised me about the program was the emphasis on real-world experience included in the curriculum. Exploring topics such as strategic planning, quality of care, and healthcare finance provided me with tangible skills. I utilized these learnings beyond the classroom in my undergraduate internship and project experiences.

Were you involved in any cocurricular activities while at Concordia? If so, what did you learn?

At Concordia, I was involved in a variety of co-curricular activities, including the Student Healthcare Management Association (SHMA), Women in Business (WIB), Homecoming Committee, Orientation Committee, and several mentorship programs. The most significant takeaway I have from my involvement in these activities is the importance of cultivating your network. Through each experience, I built connections with peers, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. I recognized the value of building relationships and a community of supporters to which I can turn when navigating life.

Please talk about your experience as an Innovation Scholar and your key takeaways.

The Innovation Scholars Program was a fantastic opportunity that sparked my passion for innovation in healthcare. I built upon my interprofessional teamwork skills while gaining a better understanding of real-world biomedical and healthcare technology challenges and innovations. The Innovation Scholars Program also provided a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the history of the Mayo Clinic, the culture of their organization today, and the work they are doing that makes them a leader in healthcare. Overall, the opportunity helped build my confidence to take on challenges, as well as improved my understanding of the necessary interprofessional teamwork that goes into providing quality, safe, and affordable care.

Could you tell us more about the leadership and mentorship programs you were in while at Concordia?

I participated in both the Hollstadt Women in Leadership Program and the Offutt Mentorship Program, providing a platform for creating meaningful connections with professionals and peers inside and outside the healthcare industry. As a young professional, the presence of a mentor is truly a gift. Having someone to offer guidance and share perspective has added value to my professional journey.

Did you have any mentors at Concordia? If so, how did they inspire you?

Throughout my time at Concordia, I was fortunate to encounter many exceptional mentors in formal and informal capacities. Whether it was an advisor, professor, staff member, or peer, these mentors played a pivotal role in shaping my Concordia experience. I found inspiration in the passion each mentor displayed in their work and their determination to make meaningful changes in their roles. What set them apart was their commitment to positively contribute to student experience.

You were selected as the 2023 recipient of the Theodore Heimarck Healthcare Excellence Award. Can you share more about the meaning behind that honor and what it means to you?

Dr. Ted Heimarck was the founder of the healthcare leadership program at Concordia. The Ted Heimarck Award is given each year to a graduating senior who exemplifies the values of the healthcare leadership program at Concordia. Being selected as the 2023 recipient of the award was an honor. The opportunities and experiences Concordia provided me have significantly contributed to my personal and professional achievements. This award affirmed my belief that positive leadership and a strong work ethic can make a positive impact.

How do you see this award helping you in your career path?

I see the Ted Heimarck Award helping me in my career path by acting as a guide for value alignment. I believe decisions should be mission-driven, and the Ted Heimarck Award is a prime example of what healthcare leadership can look like at its best. Referring to this award and how my values align with it will help my career as a healthcare leader.

Concordia’s liberal arts education actively prepared me for academic success in my graduate program.

After Concordia, you were accepted into a top-ranking healthcare administration program. Could you tell us about your grad school experience?

My graduate school journey was nothing short of exciting. In the first week of school, my cohort attended a career fair and a lunch and learn event hosted by well-known healthcare organizations. Beyond the classroom, I assumed the role of co-finance chair in CLARION, an interprofessional student organization, and was elected as the fundraising chair on my class governance board. The scope of my experiences expanded further with a visit to Baylor University as the first-year observer for a case competition, exploration of more than 10 healthcare organizations in the Twin Cities, and participation in a case competition hosted by UCLA Health. I interned at several organizations, including being a part of the Administrative Internship Program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota. I also was selected as a 2025 recipient of the MHA program’s James A. Hamilton Award, which is presented to the graduating student who demonstrates the greatest promise of achievement as voted on by those in the graduating class. Concordia’s liberal arts education actively prepared me for academic success in my graduate program.

What is your advice for students considering graduate school?

To students considering graduate school, I recommend exploring all your options. Be sure your personal values, goals, and beliefs are aligned with the program you are applying for. Just as admission teams seek compatible candidates, your graduate school search should be about finding your perfect fit. Additionally, be sure to look at what each program offers outside of the classroom. Knowing I thrive in environments that provide co-curricular opportunities and the chance to build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and classmates, I designed my requirements around that. Finally, be genuine in each step of the process and know that each person’s journey is unique. Do not spend your time comparing yourself to others!

What was the best part of your Concordia experience?

The best part of my Concordia experience was the exceptional professors and staff. It is a wonderful feeling to have leaders at your college who are interested in getting to know you and are invested in your success. Few college students can say they regularly interacted with their school’s president or knew their professors personally, which is an experience I value greatly.

What would you tell a student about why they should study healthcare leadership at Concordia?

Concordia’s healthcare leadership program distinguishes itself among other programs and offers a foundation that prepares you for your postgraduation endeavors. The program’s comprehensive curriculum, both within and beyond the classroom, applies to the healthcare industry’s current landscape. This ensures thorough preparation and will position you for a successful and impactful career in healthcare leadership.

What are your career goals?

Directly after graduating with my Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, I started as an Administrative Fellow at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In the long term, my career goal is to be part of a senior leadership team at a medium- to large-sized healthcare organization. I aspire to be a servant leader to employees and a change-maker in care delivery. Besides making a difference at the organization I will be part of, I hope to make effective changes to address topics such as healthcare disparities, access to care for rural residents, and innovation to improve care delivery.

^{Published October 2025}