USC Price Student Looks to ‘Change the Script’ in Health Care for Underserved Communities

As a student in the Executive Master of Health Administration online program, Theylinn Garcia aspires to drive effective change for her patients and serve as a role model for her community.

As the child of immigrants from Nicaragua, Theylinn Garcia never imagined herself at USC — yet, years later, she’s pursuing her Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA)at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy to take her successful health care career even further.

Garcia, now an eligibility worker supervisor for San Bernardino County, found her path to higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic, which became the catalyst for her next chapter.

“I like to say I’m a late bloomer,” Garcia said. “I graduated back in 2003, but [my education after that] was on and off. When COVID hit in 2020, I thought, this is the perfect time to commit. I earned my bachelor’s degree in health care administration online from Southern New Hampshire University — and afterward, I felt ready to keep going for my master’s.”

Garcia knew she wanted to stay in health care, which is her passion, but she also believed she belonged in administration, a decision shaped by experiences early in her career.

“I started as a medical assistant, but I didn’t like the way medical assistants were treated — often like the bottom of the barrel in the medical field,” she recounted. “Then my career shifted into the social services field, where I did service and outreach programs for the community, which I loved. So when it came time to go back to school, I [wanted to pursue a degree that] changes the way doctors see certain types of people.”

Early in her career, Garcia worked with a doctor whose waiting room was often filled with “older Hispanic patients.” Behind the scenes, he kept three piles of charts: one for private insurance, one for Medicare and one for cash. Private insurance patients were always seen first, while everyone else was left waiting.

During her health care administration program, Garcia learned this practice was illegal, and it became a defining moment in her career goals. She decided to pursue her master’s degree to place herself in a position of influence, determined to ensure such discrimination would not happen to her community or its elderly members.

While deciding to pursue her master’s degree in health administration was easy, deciding where to apply took a bit more consideration. A co-worker encouraged her to explore USC Price, and although the decision felt like a big leap, it quickly paid off.

“I never thought I was going to be a USC student, and now here I am,” Garcia said. 

USC’s online EMHA program is built for professionals already established in health care or management, preparing them for top leadership roles through courses in finance, operations, health information systems, policy and, of course, people management. It aligned perfectly with Garcia’s ambitions, and from the moment she began in May 2025, she knew she had made the right choice.

“My first class was mind-blowing. The teachers have so much knowledge and passion for what they’re doing … I made the best decision to come to USC,” she said.

Even in her short time at USC, Garcia has gained a wealth of knowledge. Beyond the hard skills, the experience has already influenced how she carries herself professionally and personally — crediting her professors’ mentorship and guidance.

“I have huge imposter syndrome. Even though I’ve been a supervisor for several years, there are other people [in the program] with more experience and knowledge. … But already, I’m putting everything I’ve been learning in the EMHA into practice at work, especially risk management, leading an organization and working with others,” she said. “I’ve noticed a change in how I carry myself around the office. I even feel the difference in how my peers treat me.”

Garcia is not only thrilled with what she’s learning in her classes and from her professors, but also with the connections she’s making with other experienced professionals. From the start, teachers, staff and fellow students have reached out to support her, quickly expanding her network and proving that the much-talked-about Trojan Family is real.

“What I love about USC as a community would be the camaraderie, too. I was in Texas a few weeks ago in my USC shirt and hat, and I ran into people that were also in USC gear. Right away, we shared the V for victory. You don’t get that with many universities. It’s true community, true friendship,” she enthused. 

Garcia is on track to complete the EMHA program in spring 2027. After earning her master’s degree, she aims to become a department director — or even a vice president — in the health care field. But her goals go beyond personal achievement; she also wants to drive effective change for her patients and serve as a role model for her community.

When she reflects on her goals, Garcia says her main motivation is to “change the script.”

“A lot of health care leaders in organizations do not come from the communities that they serve. I want to serve a low-income community so that kids can see me and think, ‘I can do it, too,’” Garcia said. “I came to the U.S. when I was 2 years old, and I am a first-generation master’s student. … In certain communities, we limit the possibilities of our achievements. But if you take that chance, you can end up where you’re supposed to be.”

Read the original article by USC Online.