Sarah Shiner

Health Administration Class of 2025

• Minor: Medical Ethics and Health Policy
• Certificates: Health Policy, Cancer Surveillance & Epidemiology, Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Activities at Rutgers: Treasurer, Rutgers Figure Skating Club (2022-2025).

Sarah Shiner gained more than just stamps in her passport when she took a gap year in Israel after high school.

“I’ve always loved traveling. I’ve been to over 10 countries and 25 states,” she said. “The year in Israel shaped my independence and perspective,” —and set the stage for her academic path at Rutgers.

Raised in Chicago, Illinois, Sarah’s grandfather, father, and two older siblings are all Certified Public Accountants. But she knew her interests extended beyond finance. “Growing up in such a business-focused household, I developed a strong foundation in business,” she said. “Health administration is the perfect blend of that background in business and my passion for healthcare.”

Why leave the Midwest for Rutgers? “When I visited during my senior year of high school, I knew it was the right place for me,” she said. “I wanted to go to college away from home, but still be in a state where I have family. I was also looking for a school with a figure skating team I could join and a strong Jewish community, both of which Rutgers offers.”

“Being a student at Rutgers has lived up to all my expectations. It has provided me with a great community, opportunities to pursue my interests, including figure skating, and an environment where I could grow academically.”

Enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences but undecided in her major, a meeting with an SAS advisor guided her toward health administration. After a few introductory courses and a helpful conversation with Bloustein School Assistant Dean Christina Torian, she joined the health administration program.

Bloustein School Teaching Instructor Aakanksha Deoli also played a pivotal role in Sarah’s academic growth. “I took her classes, Introduction to Health Administration, followed by Introduction to Lean in Health Care,” she said. “Over time, we built a strong rapport, and I frequently sought her guidance.”

Their relationship eventually led to an internship under Professor Deoli’s mentorship, allowing Sarah to work on a research project she was passionate about. “Professor Deoli has been instrumental in shaping my academic journey here at Rutgers.”

Sarah’s internship with OSF HealthCare’s Performance Improvement department took her home to Illinois, where she co-led projects like improving operating room turnover times and implementing a pre-operative clinic. “I had the opportunity to utilize Lean and Six Sigma tools and methodologies to assess and improve current state processes,” she said. “It solidified my interest in healthcare consulting and performance improvement.”

To students considering health administration, Sarah offers this advice: “Start by taking Introduction to Healthcare Administration and Health Care Systems. These foundational courses provide a great overview of the field, covering key concepts in healthcare management, policy, and operations. If you find these classes interesting, then health administration is definitely a great major for you.”

Outside the classroom, Sarah is trilingual in English, French, and Hebrew. She serves as treasurer of the Rutgers Figure Skating Club, enjoys reading, and never misses a chance to travel. After graduation, Sarah will pursue her Master’s in Healthcare Administration at Loyola University Chicago, where she plans to continue building toward a career in healthcare consulting and performance improvement.