Mr. Jean-Claude Velasquez, a second year MHA student in the department of health policy and management at the Mailman School of Public Health, was named a 2015 Leader in Health Care by Transamerica Retirement Solutions Corporation, a provider of life insurance and saving products. Mr. Velasquez was recognized for his dedication to health care and commitment to giving back to the community. While pursuing his studies, he has been involved in a number of volunteer activities including interning with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, teaching English as a second language and collaborating with immigration attorneys to help legal permanent residents apply for citizenship. His ambition is to continue to serve the community as a hospital administrator.

[Photo: Mr. Jean-Claude Velasquez]

Mr. Velasquez is also one of the ten national 2015 David A. Winston Health Policy Scholars. Administered in collaboration with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, the award commemorates the contributions of David A. Winston who was significant in shaping American health policy at the state and federal levels. Velasquez is also an E.M. Bluestone Scholar, which is given to an intellectually gifted student in the Columbia MHA program. Mr. Velasquez received his undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University. This summer he is serving as an administrative intern at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah.