HealthOU Spotlight:  Lorraine (Henry) Saintus

Healthcare is a dynamic and rapidly changing field.  The growth of managed care, an aging population, technological advances, emphasis on disease prevention, and the raising cost of delivery of care are just a few of the factors driving healthcare in this day and age.  With America’s diverse population, an equally diverse executive workforce is required to make management decisions.  According to the American College of healthcare executives, each year 2,000 students receive graduate degrees in healthcare management.  A survey conducted in 1997 revealed that 35% of Caucasian females and only 23% of African-American females held high-level management positions. 

Ms. Lorraine Saintus (Henry) 

Oakwood University has a rich history in training healthcare executives.  Today, we sat down to interview Lorraine Alicia Henry, now Lorraine Alicia Saintus, one of Oakwood University’s dynamic healthcare management alumni focusing on her education, spirituality, and outreach.

Health OU: Lorraine could you tell us a little bit about your background, where you were born, and your early education?

Lorraine:  I was born in Bronx, New York, but I was raised in Houston, TX.  I spent most of my adolescent years in Dallas, Texas. At this time, I had the privilege of attending Burton Adventist Academy in Arlington, Texas, where I graduated with honors.

Health OU: Why did you decide attend Oakwood University?

Lorraine:  I attended an Adventist Middle School and High School I recognized the value of Christian education and the impact of learning in a spiritual environment. I wanted to attend an Adventist Christian College, as well. I prayed and asked God to lead my steps and decisions. Of course, I also did my homework.  I visited Oakwood during college days in 1997 and felt God’s presence on the campus.  I loved the music, ministries, various cultures, and the passion that young people exhibited for the Lord.

Health OU: Why did you decide to major in Biology/Pre-Med?

Lorraine:  I wanted to touch lives individually and a global level. I always wanted to motivate young adolescence, especially minority young ladies, about their self-worth, STDs, and protecting/restoring their “gift” to their husbands. I always had a passion for helping others especially those less fortunate.  I envisioned running an aesthetically pleasing community health center that would provide care for the underserved, underrepresented, indigent population.  Many times these CHCs (Community Health Centers) or FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Centers) are run-down and it makes an individual feel poor and unworthy of care. I initially thought that I wanted to be an OBGYN but realized later that I wanted to manage the operations and provide global care – health care administration.

Health OU: Did your major change while at Oakwood?

Lorraine:  My major did not change while at Oakwood, but my focus in healthcare was fine-tuned during graduate school.

Health OU: How would you rate your Oakwood experience?

Lorraine:  I love OU (Oakwood University)!  It was the best experience in my life – lessons learned, foundation in my career, networking, the comrade, spiritual development, stronger personality, and my educational and social experiences improved my character. OU taught me the lessons of life. OU taught me to have more love for my fellow black brothers and sisters in corporate America.

Health OU: Is there anything that you would change about Oakwood?

Lorraine:  I would like to see stronger networking with alumni. I believe it is critical to invite past alumni to talk about their career advancements with students and inform them about various options outside of traditional direct patient care professions. I would like to see a focus on other healthcare professions. I personally would have benefited from speakers in healthcare administration and hearing about the various types of administrative opportunities in the private, public, for-profit and not-for-profit arenas. I believe one is able to narrow there career by know the types of career opportunities that exist in the healthcare field.

Health OU: What do you think about Oakwood College becoming Oakwood University?

Lorraine:  I am so very proud of my school and the improvements that they are making.

Health OU: Where did you attend Graduate school?

Lorraine:  After graduating from OU, I attended Meharry Medical College Graduate School.  I enrolled in the Master of Science in Public Health program (MSPH), focusing on Health Services Administration.  With God’s help, I graduated with honors and was inducted into the National Dean’s List.  My Master’s thesis was entitled: Community Health Centers and Deficits: An analysis of the effects of the structure and function on their financial and collected clinical performance measure.

Health OU: Did you participate in any clinical, administrative or research fellowships during these years?

Lorraine:  Yes, I was selected for the highly coveted Administrative fellowship at the Henry Ford Medical Group in Detroit, MI.  I loved the organization and was offered an administrative fellowship position at Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) after graduation.  This was a very valuable experience.   I reported to the Chief Operating Officer for Henry Ford Medical Group and lead several system-wide initiatives. I assisted in a variety of consulting projects. This is a large hospital system, supporting 1,000 physicians’ and researchers in 40 specialties, who staff Henry Ford Hospital and 25 Henry Ford medical centers.  We reported 2.2 million patient visits annually with more than 51,000 outpatient surgical procedures performed annually with a net income of $112 million and $142 million in uncompensated care.

Health OU: How would you describe your role in healthcare?

Lorraine:  I am a Senior Management Engineer. I am an internal consultants for Henry Ford Health System.  I have the privilege of leading process and operational teams with senior management to develop processes and protocols for HFHS system hospitals and for the future new Henry Ford West Bloomfield 300-bed community specialty hospital scheduled to open in 2009. I worked with senior leadership to determine what clinical services and departments should be located on the hospital campus versus off-site.  It was also my responsibility to develop and lead a Cultural Diversity team that would ensure that the process/policies were culturally sensitive to the population we serve.  My main goal was to increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies within our current and future hospital/medical centers.

Health OU: Could you tell us a little bit about your community service and outreach?

Lorraine:  I am a member of many professional associations including the American Public Health Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, National Association of Health Services Executives, and the Michigan Healthcare Executive Group and Associates.  I have also been on the leadership committee of the United Negro College Fund.  I serve as a healthcare mentor to minorities and aspiring healthcare professionals.  Also, I am a Church Board member, Assistant Sabbath School Superintendent, a member of the AYS council, and praise team.

Health OU: What other interests do you have outside of medicine and healthcare?

Lorraine:  Besides planning for a wedding, I love air hockey, bowling, giving back to the community, supporting and uplifting minorities in the workplace, networking, and traveling. I enjoy speaking for church Youth days and ministering to young people.  I love being part of the praise team at my church and I enjoy my ladies singing group – ONE – that was started at my church in Detroit, MI.

Health OU: Tell us about your spiritual journey and share with us how the Lord has blessed you and led your life thus far.

Lorraine:  I have learned to trust God every step of the way.  In Corporate America, individuals come from my prestigious institutions and have many high accolades but I learned that God stimulates our minds, our neurons, and grants us favor and causes us to “ride upon the high places of the earth” if we keep his Sabbath and love Him (Is. 58:13, 14).  At times, he will touch our tongues when giving presentations or answering questions. He gives us opportunities that others desire and will stimulate our minds to carry out projects.

Health OU: Is there any advice that you would give to Oakwood University students interested in your field?

Lorraine:  There are lots of tips that I have learned along the way.  Research your area of interest.  Don’t worry about having concrete career plans.  Having a diverse portfolio is advantageous in healthcare administration. Establish mentor relationships in every area of interest. Your mentors should be diverse (different races, young and seasoned, male and female).  Great mentors don’t equate to great bosses, do your homework.

Health OU: What are your plans for the future?

Lorraine:  As far as my career, I plan to build upon my healthcare administration foundation.  I aspire to become a senior level administrator in a hospital and to eventually run a Community Health Center. I really enjoy motivational speaking and hope to continue working with adolescents. Overall, I want to continue to give back to my community with time, money, and resources.

As far as my social life, I plan on getting married in June and relocating to Chicago.  I look forward to spending time with my husband and perusing my administrative career in the Chicago area.  I truly thank God for Gabriel Saintus, Jr., my best friend and partner in life.

Mr. and Ms. Gabriel and Lorraine Saintus

Health OU: Lorraine, it has been such a joy spending time with you this afternoon.  We are all so very proud of you. Congratulations on you new marriage.

Lorraine:  Thanks for having me.