Jamie Nguyen, MSHA, MBA
Jamie Nguyen, MSHA, MBA, is a Regulatory Affairs Manager at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a dedicated healthcare leader focused on elevating standards, transforming processes, and inspiring excellence within healthcare delivery. Guided by a servant-leader mindset, she is committed to strengthening compliance, improving operations, and advancing patient-centered care within the communities she serves.
Her journey into healthcare began when she immigrated to the United States as a teenager, a life-changing transition that required her to adapt to a new culture while also serving as an interpreter and advocate for her parents during medical appointments. Those early experiences navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems helped her develop resilience and a deep understanding of what patients and families face during vulnerable moments. She initially pursued a pre-medical undergraduate path, believing she would become a provider, while simultaneously working multiple jobs and seeking opportunities to grow professionally. During this time, she volunteered at a COVID-19 vaccine site and was later offered a full-time role as a Patient Encounter Specialist at one of Birmingham’s busiest outpatient clinics, the Kirklin Clinic, where she worked closely with patients at intake and discharge. These experiences shifted her perspective, helping her realize that healthcare is not only about clinical care, but also about systems, operations, and ensuring people feel seen, heard, and supported.
Motivated to deepen her impact, she pursued a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the top-ranked program in the state. While enrolled, she also took the opportunity to complete a dual degree by earning her Master of Business Administration, strengthening her focus on leadership, process improvement, and organizational effectiveness. After completing a competitive administrative fellowship, she transitioned into her current role at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority, where she now serves as a Regulatory Affairs Manager under the same mentor who previously guided her fellowship experience. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has remained committed to growth, leadership, and service. Above all, she is most proud of transforming survival into service using her personal experiences to drive meaningful impact in healthcare systems and the lives of patients.
• KultureCity® Medical Sensory Accessibility/Inclusive® Supplemental Training
• HACP Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• American College of Healthcare Executives®
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt for Healthcare
• Quality and Safety Certificate
• University of Alabama at Birmingham - MS, Health/Health Care Administration/Management
• University of Alabama at Birmingham - MBA
• University of Alabama at Birmingham - BSHA
• Shining Star Award of Excellence (February 2026)
• Employee of the Month
• Emerging Leaders Scholarship (March 2022)
• Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship
• AUPHA Foster G. McGaw Scholarship
• American College of Healthcare Executives
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars
• Vietnamese Students Association
• UAB French Club
• Providing free winter coats through family business
• Preparing and distributing meals to homeless individuals and shelters on weekends
• UAB Medicine - UASHF
• NORTH SHELBY VIETNAMESE BAPTIST CHURCH INC
• Blazer Kitchen
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to mastering my time management when I was working full-time as a front desk staff, trying to apply to graduate programs, seeking internships post-graduate, and also working part-time on the weekends just to provide for the family. Looking back at it now, I was juggling all of that all at once and was able to succeed. It really taught me empathy and adaptability, and just the importance of representing my roots, my people, when I started the graduate programs, and it brought me so much pride into my background, where I came from. It's all about time management - you just kind of walk in, do this one thing, complete it, and perform your best at one job, and then the next one. I was really fortunate to have a manager who allowed me to take Fridays mornings off to join this academy for health disparities, and that academy was actually part of the life-changing moments for me. It was a 6-week launch program, and that group was the one that introduced me to the graduate programs that I actually had never heard of.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that I can build a successful career and that my past does not define my future. I’ve learned to focus on growth, keep moving forward, and trust that each experience positive or challenging can be a stepping stone rather than a limitation.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the healthcare field is that you can build a successful and meaningful career anywhere in the world if you stay committed, curious, and open to growth. I’ve learned that your potential is not limited by where you start, but by how willing you are to keep learning and push forward through challenges. I’m dedicated to making a difference in healthcare, and along the way I’ve been honored with recognition such as Employee of the Month and the Shining Star Award, which reflect my commitment to service and excellence. As you begin your journey, trust your abilities, stay focused on your goals, and know that your determination and hard work will speak for itself.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare right now is adapting to constant change while continuing to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. The industry is evolving quickly with new technologies, shifting regulations, and increased demand for services, which requires professionals to stay flexible, informed, and resilient. At the same time, these changes also create significant opportunities especially for those who are early in their careers. Being in my role for just one year, I am eager and ready to take on new challenges and continue growing so I can make a meaningful difference in healthcare. I see this as a time of learning, development, and opportunity to contribute to improving outcomes and supporting both patients and teams more effectively.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are resilience, service, integrity, and continuous growth. My journey has taught me how strong I truly am and how to transform survival into purpose-driven service. I have found my passion in my current role as a Regulatory Affairs Manager, and I bring to it about seven years of experience in healthcare, including my undergraduate studies and full-time professional work. My path was shaped by immigrating to the United States as a teenager and early experiences navigating the healthcare system, which inspired me to pursue a pre-med undergraduate degree, followed by a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and an MBA from UAB. These experiences continue to guide my commitment to meaningful work that improves systems and ultimately serves others.