Sajani Ramphal of Harriman, N.Y., a Mount Saint Mary College Master of Business Administration (MBA) student with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, has constantly sought out new ways to challenge herself.
Ramphal, who will graduate from the Mount in only a few days, says the experience she gained at the college has already strengthened her performance in her career as a physical therapist, a position she has had for 15 years.
“I worked through COVID and struggled with the imbalance of our healthcare system. I have a true passion for healthcare and wanted to be a part of the strategic solution,” she explained. “This led me to enter the MBA program, so I could not only carry on with my clinical experience, but also gain a better understanding of the leadership role.”
She added, “I hope and wish to make a difference in our healthcare system one day. I want to be an advocate for my patients and our everyday healthcare providers.”
While enrolled in the program, Ramphal spearheaded a large project as part of her MBA practicum experience. As the Safety Director for the Monroe Woodbury Football and Cheer League, Ramphal aims to provide concussion and CPR/AED protocols for local football teams. Working with the Orange County Youth Football League (OCYFL), she will be creating a proposal for an OCYFL Universal Safety Protocol this summer, allowing every board, coach, and safety coach to carry out the same emergency protocols.
“This is what the MBA program is about,” Ramphal stated. “Challenging yourself beyond what was imaginable. Allowing you to take charge, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and strategize to make changes to develop new goals.”
The path to Commencement was a fulfilling one, Ramphal explained. Catherine Rehfus-Wilsek, associate professor of Healthcare Management, was one of many professors who inspired her throughout her education.
“There’s always a professor that pushes you to be a better version of yourself, helps you to be stronger, helps you to fulfill your goals, and to believe in yourself,” Ramphal explained. “I only hope I can attain even a portion of her leadership skills in my career.”
As she prepares to walk the Mount’s Commencement stage this May, Ramphal reflects on the impact the Mount has had on her education: “As challenging and thought-provoking as my coursework was, the lessons I learned from my professors and peers have been invaluable. Teamwork, creativity, and professionalism are skill sets that I will carry on throughout my career. The Mount truly values their students and provides them with every tool to be successful."