Cordell Memorial Hospital closed in September, 1988 and reopened in March, 1989 at which time I became the hospital administrator. At the time I had an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree, but not a degree in healthcare administration. It was not a requirement.
In 1989 I started working towards my degree of healthcare administration at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). Back then the ambulance service was run through the hospital and there was a need for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). I completed my requirements to be an EMT that year.
Over the years I tried to finish my degree, but the requirements of running the hospital and working on the ambulance put my pursuing the degree on hold. I only lacked five hours in completing my degree.
I had been retired from the hospital for seven years when in 2021, SWOSU came out with a program to help students finish their degrees. To make a long story short, I was able to graduate from SWOSU in De cember, 2021.
My wife had asked me why I wanted to complete my degree since I was no longer working at the hospital and I jokingly replied, “It would look good on my obituary!”
My dad always teased me about being a professional student because it took me seven years to complete my first degree, which included two years on active duty during Vietnam and a year working after the Navy.
He is in Heaven now and I am sure he is having a big laugh because it only took me 31 years to get my degree in healthcare administration.
It just goes to show that it is never too late!