About
Brandon Grimm, PhD, MPH, Interim Department Chair
Welcome to the Department of Health Services Research and Administration. It’s an exciting and transformative time in health care and public health—and our department stands at the intersection of both.
Public health policy, health services research and health administration are more than academic disciplines—they are powerful tools for shaping healthier communities. These fields guide how we design systems, deliver care and make decisions that impact lives. They help us ask the right questions: How do we ensure access to care in rural areas? How do we integrate public health and primary care to better serve diverse populations? How do we build systems that are not only efficient, but equitable?
As a lifelong Nebraskan, I’ve seen firsthand the strengths and challenges of our health systems—especially in rural communities. I bring to this role a deep commitment to advancing health equity, strengthening public health infrastructure and preparing the next generation of leaders who will carry this work forward.
Our department is home to faculty and students who are passionate about improving health through evidence, innovation and service. We are building programs that reflect the realities of today’s health care environment—where collaboration across sectors, data-driven decision-making and community engagement are essential. Whether it’s through research on rural health disparities, policy analysis, innovative health delivery or the development of integrated care models, our work is grounded in real-world impact.
I invite you to explore our programs, connect with our faculty, and learn more about the ways we are contributing to a healthier future. If you share our vision for a more responsive and inclusive health system, we welcome your partnership.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to hear from you.
What Sets Us Apart
Our dedicated faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized researchers and experts in health administration, policy development, organizational development and health economics. Preparing students to become successful leaders in health care administration is the goal of our robust curriculum and research endeavors. We aim to build students' foundational understanding while creating opportunities to grow real-world skills.
A fundamental goal of this department is to help shape the future direction of health administration. We look to do that by educating future leaders and uncovering and advancing innovation. A central focus is leadership development, which means empowering students with the right tools to make an impact and advance real-world research.
Our established relationships with leading health care organizations, non-governmental organizations, government agencies and others provide students and faculty with many opportunities to engage in events, research projects and internships.
Our department's diverse student body includes recent university graduates, professionals and researchers from around the world. We have a robust advising and mentoring program that helps shape each student's career path. For example, MHA students work through detailed individual development plans and PhD students work one-to-one with a graduate faculty advisor.