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Reena Joseph Kelly, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Population Health & Leadership, has been named the 2026 recipient of the from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). This national award recognizes early-career faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching and a strong commitment to advancing healthcare management education.

"I was very surprised and also ecstatic to learn that I had been selected for this award," she said. "Receiving this national recognition in the sixth year of my teaching career means a lot because it is a testament to my hard work and commitment as an educator to pursuing excellence, in myself and my students, semester after semester," she continued.

For Dr. Kelly, teaching extends far beyond delivering course content. "My teaching philosophy has centered around equipping students with the necessary tools to be successful in the healthcare industry," she said.

She believes today's healthcare organizations need leaders who combine technical expertise with empathy, authenticity, and a commitment to meaningful change.

"We need healthcare managers and leaders who can lead with purpose while also holding true to their authentic selves," she said. "We need leaders who are empathetic and driven to see real change in healthcare, who can rely on evidence-based skills to promote equity and justice, and who are not afraid to make the hard decisions but can do so with compassion."

Those values shape the expectations she sets in the classroom.

"I hope my students understand that the pursuit of excellence is a necessary standard for all of us in healthcare, and I will be their fiercest champion on the journey toward success," she said. "Even if it means that I hold high expectations in the classroom."

Dr. Kelly's perspective as an educator has been shaped by years of experience across multiple areas of healthcare. Before entering academia, she worked as a clinical dental practitioner and as a healthcare administrator, overseeing physician staffing and retention in hospitals.

"All of these experiences have had an incredible influence on me as an educator and have strengthened my desire to dedicate myself to educating our future generation of healthcare leaders," she said.

She plans to use the scholarship to create new learning opportunities that give students practical, hands-on experiences. "I am excited about using the scholarship funds to develop case studies and simulations for our students in the University of New Haven's Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program," she said. "The opportunity to create something specific for our students is invaluable."

Dr. Kelly also hopes to involve a student in a research project and help support conference participation so they can present their findings.

"This is a great opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with all aspects of the research process, and the scholarship will allow me to continue to support students," she said.

While the scholarship recognizes Dr. Kelly's individual accomplishments, she credits the support of colleagues throughout the School of Health Sciences and the University's MHA program for helping her reach this milestone.

"The MHA program within the Department of Population Health and Leadership and the School of Health Sciences have been incredibly supportive of my application and my efforts to explore innovative teaching approaches in the classroom," she said.

She said colleagues have encouraged her to continuously refine her teaching while maintaining high standards for student success.

"They have been generous with brainstorming and providing feedback on learning assessments, and they encourage me to uphold a standard of excellence that embodies the work we do across the SHS," she said.

Reflecting on the recognition, Dr. Kelly also sees the award as something deeply personal.

"I come from a family of educators, and receiving this award feels like a recognition of me successfully continuing my family's legacy," she said. "The MHA program and the School of Health Sciences have been instrumental in my receipt of this award."