The Charger Blog

Doctor of Health Sciences Graduate is a Leader in the Field and a Pillar of the Community

Gary Havican Ӱԭ04 MBA, Ӱԭ23 DHSc has been enthusiastic about making an impact in the field of healthcare since he was very young. HeӰԭs now a leading healthcare administrator who is passionate about creating opportunities for current and future Chargers to find their own paths in the field.

February 27, 2024

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications


Gary Havican posing with his award.
Gary Havican Ӱԭ04 MBA, Ӱԭ23 DHSc (center) was recognized by The Patient is U, a Connecticut-based nonprofit, for his leadership in healthcare.

When Gary Havican Ӱԭ04 MBA, Ӱԭ23 DHSc was a kid, he saw emergency medical services respond to a family member who needed clinical care. He was moved by how healthcare providers were able to help her, and he soon became intrigued. He, too, wanted to make an impact on peopleӰԭs lives.

When he was in high school, Havican took the opportunity to join Allied Health and become an emergency medical technician. He wanted healthcare to be more than a passion Ӱԭ he also wanted it to be his future. Havican has gone on to excel, becoming a leader in the field of healthcare. He is now executive vice president and chief operating officer for in New York.

A strong believer in the importance of lifelong learning and mentoring, Havican wanted to continue to make a meaningful difference in the field. He decided to continue his education as a member of the UniversityӰԭs Doctor of Health Sciences program.

ӰԭAs I managed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I began to think about my future and the ways in which I can grow as a person and a professional,Ӱԭ explains Havican. ӰԭI was honored to be accepted into the program alongside some incredible colleagues from various aspects of the healthcare community.Ӱԭ

ӰԭMake a significant impact in the fieldӰԭ

Jill Moore, EdD, MHA, BSDH, RDH, the DHSc program director, calls Havican an Ӱԭexemplary student.Ӱԭ She says his dedication to his coursework and research demonstrates his commitment to his field.

ӰԭEarning a doctorate degree clearly advances a person to the top of their field and will bring a surplus of career opportunities,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭBut when the doctorate degree is in healthcare, the commitment in the classroom is also a deep commitment to oneӰԭs community. GaryӰԭs dedication to his education and profession, coupled with being a kind leader and mentor to those around him, will allow Gary to be the change agent that we need in the healthcare system.

ӰԭI have no doubt that Dr. HavicanӰԭs passion and dedication will continue to make a significant impact in the field of health sciences,Ӱԭ she continued. ӰԭI believe he will improve the lives of individuals in the communities he serves.Ӱԭ

Gary Havican posing with two colleagues side by side.
Gary Havican Ӱԭ04 MBA, Ӱԭ23 DHSc (center) is a leader in the healthcare field.
ӰԭOne of the highest honorsӰԭ

Havican continues to be an active member of the University community and to offer his support to current and future Chargers. A School of Health Sciences Advisory Board member, he has worked with the UniversityӰԭs paramedicine program. He also played a key role in helping the University acquire the ӰԭSimbulanceӰԭ that is enabling students to gain hands-on experience.

ӰԭI feel grateful to be in the professional position that I am in, and I attribute much of my success to the lessons that IӰԭve learned as an EMT and a paramedic over the last 35 years,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭIӰԭm also grateful for my ability to influence the donation of a training vehicle to the EMS program to help students learn the important lifesaving skills taught to the students in these programs.Ӱԭ

ӰԭDr. Havican has been very involved with the School of Health Sciences, serving on the Paramedicine Program Advisory Committee as one of the first graduates of our Doctor of Health Science Program and helping to procure a Simbulance for our students to have hands-on experience with using an ambulance,Ӱԭ said Betsy Francis-Connolly, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Sciences. ӰԭI am grateful to Gary for all he has done to support the School of Health Sciences.Ӱԭ

Havican, who previously served as senior vice president of and as president of its central region, was recognized by . The publication, which covers news and trends in the Hartford areaӰԭs business community, noted HavicanӰԭs leadership in shepherding MidState Medical CenterӰԭs expansion. It also highlighted his commitment to the community, including his service on the executive committee for New Britain Recovers, which supports those who are facing homelessness and addiction.

ӰԭI was very surprised yet humbled to be recognized on this list with so many incredible healthcare leaders throughout Connecticut,Ӱԭ said Havican. ӰԭIt is absolutely one of the highest honors that IӰԭve achieved professionally in my career, and I am thankful.Ӱԭ

ӰԭThe University clearly cares about the studentsӰԭ experienceӰԭ

Havican continues to make a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare. HeӰԭs grateful for the opportunities heӰԭs had as a Charger, and he is proud to continue to offer his support to members of the University community Ӱԭ and beyond.

ӰԭI really valued my time at the University as a student in the MBA and DHSc programs,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭThe University clearly cares about the studentsӰԭ experience and the high-quality education that each student receives. The University is impressive and continues to grow to meet the higher educational needs of the community."

ӰԭIn his new role as chief operating officer, Gary will be able to leverage the skills honed during his doctoral studies in research, leadership, and communication to lead one of the largest health systems in the area,Ӱԭ added Karl Minges, Ph.D., MPH, an assistant professor in the UniversityӰԭs Department of Population Health and Leadership and chair of HavicanӰԭs doctoral thesis committee. ӰԭWe are so thankful for GaryӰԭs contributions to the UniversityӰԭs community, and we canӰԭt wait to watch him succeed across Long Island Sound.Ӱԭ