Veteran comes full circle at DHA seminar

Dr. James Bush took part in the transformative Doctor of Health Administration Seminar in Public Health at Central Michigan University this past weekend. On Saturday, participants engaged deeply with health experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), uncovering vital methods for implementing course content in real-world scenarios. Among the speakers were Dr. Patricia Hastings, Chief Consultant of VA's Health Outcomes Military Exposures, Dr. Erin Dursa, Director of Surveillance for Military Environmental Exposures at the VA's Health Outcomes for Military Exposures (HOME), and Dr. William (Joel) Culpepper, Deputy Director of the VA Epidemiology Program. They illuminated ongoing research dedicated to improving the lives of veterans across the nation.

Dr. Culpepper presented findings from a study on Karshi Khanabad (K2), where nearly 16,000 U.S. troops were stationed from 2001 to 2005. Dr. James Bush, a dedicated former Army medic deployed to Iraq at just 21 years old during this time, shared his profound experiences during a time when countless brave service members were exposed to depleted uranium, chemical agents, and toxic substances that resembled hazardous black goo.

Reflecting on his struggles with isolation and fear amidst the chaos, Dr. Bush poignantly stated, "I believed that no one at home besides my family cared about what we were enduring. Therefore, attending this seminar years later and discovering I was wrong was life-changing. People did care. The VA was fighting for us and taking decisive action on our behalf." With heartfelt gratitude, Dr. Bush acknowledged Dr. Culpepper's steadfast commitment to supporting veterans affected by the K2 operation and was able to thank him personally.  

One of the faculty members at the seminar was Dr. Beth Taylor, a graduate of the CMU DHA program. She had a long tenure at the VA, beginning in 1996, where she held multiple key positions, Retired as Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. Dr. Bush was deeply moved to discover that Dr. Taylor had been a significant supporter of Dr. Hastings, Dr. Culpepper, and Dr. Dursa’s research during her professional career. Dr. Bush shared, “Being part of a program and learning from someone who has had such a profound impact on my life—without me realizing it at the time—is incredible. It feels like a full-circle moment from my deployment to where I am now.”

The Doctor of Health Administration program at Central Michigan University is tailored for healthcare leaders, such as Dr. Bush, who are passionate about conducting research and working together to address real-world healthcare issues. Our well-rounded program provides a blend of advanced academic knowledge, practical skills, and professional expertise, merging theoretical principles with hands-on experience. It's the perfect foundation for pursuing senior leadership roles in the healthcare sector. To learn more about the DHA program, visit www.chp.cmich.edu/dha. To learn more about the Department of Veterans Affairs research initiatives, visit www.research.va.gov.

Dr. Bush has over 20 years of experience in higher education, learning and development, and healthcare. He is currently a solution strategy manager at FinThrive, specializing in patient access technology solutions. As a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Data Management, he provides expert support and strategy for healthcare revenue cycle products. Dr. Bush is also an Assistant Professor of Healthcare Administration & Business at Life University and a contributing faculty member at Emory University's Goizueta School of Business and California Intercontinental University's Healthcare Management and Leadership program. The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions would like to personally thank Dr. James Bush for his service and is proud to be part of his academic and professional journey.