Class of 2009
April 11, 2022
Shawnee State University alumna Kelly (Wagner) Ramey (‘09) excelled on the court as a four-year member of the Women’s Basketball team. During her time on the team, the program made three trips to the National Tournament and were undefeated in her senior season. After graduation, she continued to excel in her career with the knowledge she built receiving her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration focused on Healthcare Administration.
“I loved that the program included off-site practicum hours with real-life experience,” she said. “The classes were led by professors that had work experience in healthcare settings. I learned what to expect in my field before I even graduated. It took a lot of the anxiety away in a post-graduation world.”
Ramey chose to major in Healthcare Administration after learning SSU had one of very few accredited Long Term Administration programs in the state of Ohio at the time. She was also excited to learn that with her degree she would be able to sit for the Licensed Nursing Home Administrators’ exam directly after graduation, where other universities required a waiting period after further education.
“Shawnee State gave me the resources and knowledge to be successful in my field,” she said. “I felt that my coursework gave me confidence to become a professional in my career so quickly.”
Staring her career at Holzer Health Systems in Gallipolis, Ohio as a Senior Services Assistant, Ramey worked in various roles for their long term care programs – including skilled nursing facilities, assisted livings, home care, hospice and extra care. Starting in 2012 she was appointed as Executive Director at River Bend House in Wheelersburg, Ohio, now known as Randall Residence of Wheelersburg.
“Under my last ten years of leadership, Randall Residence of Wheelersburg has become known for their high quality of care and one of the best places to live for seniors looking for assistance with activities of daily living,” she said.
To students considering attending SSU, Ramey encourages them to surround themselves with knowledgeable and respected people in their field, noting how her mentor in her academic program (Jerry McCoy) and her basketball coaches (Robin Hagen-Smith and Greg Smith) impacted her path to success. She still stays connected with SSU in her career.
“My connections with Shawnee State are still strong to this day,” she said. “Our assisted living community has created a relationship with the Occupational Therapy students and program for the benefit of the residence and students. They completed assessments for their coursework as well as having fun and activities with the residents of the community.”
Shawnee State University’s Healthcare Administration bachelor’s degree is ranked #1 in the nation among a ranking of the top 15 long-term care administration degree programs. To learn more about the program, visit shawnee.edu/healthcare-administration.