After graduating in May, India Byrd will pursue a master of health administration at the Fox School of Business. She aims to work both hands-on with patients and on the operational side of a hospital, improving systems and advocating for better healthcare access and outcomes.

India Byrd
Degree: BA, health studies
College: Barnett College of Public Health
Hometown: North Philadelphia
Next stop: Fox School of Business, Master of Health Administration

Why I chose Temple: “I went to George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science on 16th and Norris, right across the street from the Aramark STAR Complex, so I was always around Temple’s Main Campus and thought it was a beautiful campus. The diversity and sense of community also really drew me in. I remember seeing people outside, spending time together, and feeling like they were part of something and I wanted to be part of that, too.  

An awesome opportunity: “Once I started taking dual enrollment classes through the Cecil B. Moore Scholars Program, I became even more immersed in the Temple environment and could really see myself here. When I received an email saying I was one of 25 students selected for a full-tuition scholarship through the program. I had to read it twice; I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited. Honestly, I don’t think I would be here today if it weren’t for that scholarship.” 

Transformative Temple moment: “My passion has always been in healthcare, so at the beginning of this school year, I knew I wanted to go to graduate school, but I was unsure of the path I would take. As part of my senior requirements, I took the Cultural Competency in Health and Healthcare class. In that class, we researched the barriers many people face when accessing healthcare and completed a research project on those challenges. And that’s when it clicked for me that I want to be part of making meaningful changes that improve people’s lives. Around the same time, I learned about the Fox School of Business’ different graduate programs, and that’s when I discovered its master of health administration program. Without that class, I wouldn't have fully understood all the issues in healthcare. It helped me find my path toward pursuing graduate school at Temple.”  

What’s next: “I will be pursuing a master of health administration in the Fox School of Business. This field will allow me to work both hands-on with patients and on the operational side of a hospital, improving systems, and advocating for better access and outcomes. It feels like a full-circle moment for me because my dad always reminds me that in third grade, when my brother had an allergic reaction and we were at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, I told him I wanted to run a hospital. I’ve also always wanted to earn a doctorate, so with this path, I could get a doctorate in health administration and become a CEO of a hospital, just as I’ve always wanted.”