Mary
Ann Daly uses the graduate education she received at UNF every day in her role
as the manager of rehabilitation psychology in the Department of Behavioral
Medicine at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital and Centers.
Daly
graduated in 2008 with a master’s in health administration. She chose UNF
because, as a Jacksonville native, she wanted a local, traditional face-to-face
small classroom environment in which to study. Already established in a professional
clinical career of providing psychotherapy services to patients and their
family members at Brooks Rehabilitation, she knew her degree would be an asset
if she wanted to move into management. “UNF’s rigorous academic curriculum
provided me with a solid foundation of information about health-care
administration,” Daly said. “Attending UNF allowed me to work full time and to
attend classes in the evenings.”
Daly is truly a lifelong learner. She earned her
first graduate degree, a master’s in social work from Florida State University,
which allowed her to become a licensed independent clinical practitioner. Her
graduate degree from UNF allowed her to move to management. “I am blessed to be
able to combine both graduate experiences into a successful career,” she said.
“My graduate degree from FSU provided me with clinical skills to help others.
My graduate degree from UNF provided me with management skills needed on a
broader level to help lead the Rehabilitation Psychology team; thereby serving
more people for their rehabilitation needs.”
Daly
said many of the most endearing lessons she learned went well beyond reading
textbooks, learning theories, writing research papers and getting correct
answers on exams. “I learned the value of meeting new people and developing
relationships with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds,” she
said. “Working on team projects enhanced the lesson of conflict resolution as
we each strived to understand our differences and to effectively negotiate
compromises on assignments. Lessons in teamwork included knowing when and how
to use skills of collaboration and leadership while staying focus on the
mission of the academic assignment.”
Several professors played significant roles in
Daly’s education. Dr. Steve Paulson, a professor in the Coggin College of
Business, was her instructor for Organizational Management. “I loved his real-world
stories, his passion for students and his extensive handwritten notes on papers
submitted. I knew he read every word I wrote. That was evidence to me of his
attention to details. It was his commitment to me that inspired my desire to
learn beyond what he taught in the classroom.”
Dr. Mai Zhao, a professor in the Brooks College of
Health, taught the first Quantitative Analysis course for M.H.A. students and required
the use of an unfamiliar software program. “I was a rookie with various
electronic spreadsheets,” Daly remembered. “I quickly realized generational
differences when I saw my peers’ fingers flying on the keyboard as they completed
assignments. I remember struggling to simultaneously master complex formulas
electronically. Needless to say, it was a challenge for me. Dr. Zhao taught me
patience, perseverance and commitment. She volunteered her time to work with
me; she verbalized her faith and her confidence in my ability to master the
course materials during my times of doubt. That was impressive. I knew she
cared. I worked hard to show her what I learned. She respected me and I
respected her and I passed the course.”
Among the highlights Daly recounts are her participation in health-care study-abroad
experiences in France, England and China; co-authoring two articles published
in peer-referenced journals; her election by her peers twice to the position of
president of Upsilon Phi Delta, a national academic honor society for students
in health-care administration; and the cumulative experience of listening,
discussing, debating, researching and studying health-care issues with her
peers. “Studying under caring and informative faculty who demanded the best
only served to enrich and to challenge my abilities,” she said. “The
friendships, the laughter, the stressful moments, the handling of mishaps and
the ability to maintain a disciplined lifestyle in order to share the joy of success
were fun rides. I have a greater appreciation of diverse cultures and
generational differences. My former classmates have successful careers and many
of us continue to stay in touch with one another. Those are priceless
experiences.”
A focus of Daly’s career has been helping others overcome chronic pain. “I had
years of experience with acute pain and helping patients as they recovered from
extensive and painful burn injuries,” she said. “There was an opportunity to
learn about chronic pain and to become involved with the Brooks Pain
Rehabilitation program. I jumped at the opportunity and learned everything I
could about the psychological aspects of chronic pain and I had a great mentor.
At this time, I do not actively work on the pain team at Brooks due to numerous
clinical and management responsibilities.”
In
addition to her time-consuming professional responsibilities, Daly still makes
time for her alma mater. “I enjoy giving back to UNF,” Daly said. “I serve on
the UNF Alumni Association Board of Directors and as an adjunct instructor in
the Brooks College of Health, Department of Public Health, where I teach the
course U.S. Health Care Systems to undergraduate students. I hope that all UNF
alumni understand there are multiple opportunities to continue to be a part of
UNF — attend alumni leisure and educational activities, give of their time or make
financial contributions. Stay in touch electronically by joining LinkedIn. Join
the UNF Alumni Group as well as the MHA Alumni group online. It is not important
how you stay involved with UNF, it is just important that you do.”
