Jessica (Billick) Mabie, Class of 2005

Jessica (Billick) Mabie.

Graduation Date

May 2005

Major

Health and Human Services – Community Mental Health

Minor

Professional Ethics

Current Position

I’m currently the Senior Director of Hospital Operations at the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, part of Kaleida Health.  I provide operational leadership and strategic direction for multiple departments, including Food and Nutrition, Environmental Services, Plant Operations, and several ambulatory offices, as well as support pediatric ancillary areas such as Pharmacy, Laboratory, and Imaging.  I also work on business development initiatives within the Pediatric Service Line, with a focus on surgical services.  In my role, I oversee approximately 200 staff, lead capital projects and facility improvement efforts, and work with the clinical leadership team to drive program development.

What do you like best about your job?

Every day is different!  I always have a plan for the day walking in, but quite often I need to change course on the fly.  I love that the day takes me in so many different directions.  I also really value and appreciate the time I’m able to spend with our teams, and our patients and families, because it grounds me in the importance of our service to the Buffalo community.

How would you describe your career path after leaving UB?

After graduating from UB, I pursued my Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and upon completion of that program, was awarded an Administrative Fellowship with the North Shore – Long Island Jewish Health System, now Northwell Health, in the New York Metropolitan area. I spent the next 8 years in a leadership role in the orthopaedic service line there, before returning home to Buffalo in 2015.  In September 2015, I joined Kaleida Health as Director of Strategic Planning and Implementation, with the primary goal of facilitating the $272 million relocation of Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo to the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. I worked with the clinical teams to develop and implement move plans and strategies associated with the hospital’s transition, which resulted in the safe relocation of 125 patients in under 12 hours, a career accomplishment I’m most proud of.

Why did you choose to major in Health & Human Services?

I knew at the time I wanted to pursue a career in Healthcare Administration, and the Health & Human Services program felt like the best fit to prepare me for the field.  The program’s foundation in human services laid the groundwork for me to continue to build upon as I progressed into my Masters program and ultimately into leadership roles in not-for-profit healthcare.

Were there any courses, experiences, or opportunities in Health & Human Services that you have found particularly useful or relevant to your current work?

When I think back, the thing that stays with me about my experience in the program was the well-roundedness of the coursework, and the diverse interests of my fellow students.  I appreciated being a part of the type of program that supported my unique interests and path, and found the coursework to be practical and applicable in real-life scenarios.

What advice would you give to current students in Health & Human Services?

Gain as many experiences during this time as possible – academic, professional, social – all of them!  It’s such an amazing time filled with so much opportunity to gain exposure to an array of career paths.  The Health & Human Services track is a versatile one, so I’d suggest taking the time to truly explore all of the directions it can take you!

What is one random / fun fact about you?

My husband and I met during our time and UB, and have been together ever since!  20 years later, we’re so thankful to have returned back to Buffalo to raise my family in this community.