The Pulse

"She has come back to campus to present in classrooms several times and has mentored a number of our students," says Steven Adler, a sport management faculty member. "Sometimes students are intimidated by those in the fi eld, but Alexa is very approachable and students feel comfortable making a connection with her." Hinds says she's fortunate to be able to pursue her passion and describes both of her positions with the Red Wings and the Lions as dream jobs. "I'd say I'm on my second dream job right now, " she says. "I don't know how many people get to be that lucky." About CMU'S Master of Arts in sport administration Goal To prepare students for a career in professional, collegiate, corporate, high school or community sport administration. Hands-on learning experiences Opportunities include working in CMU's NCAA Division I athletic programs, announcing at sporting events, getting involved in game-day administration, promotions, marketing and student- athlete compliance. Graduate students complete an off -campus internship with a sport organization of their choice. Length of program: 36 credit hours Alumna fi nds strength in CMU experience '96 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in athletic training Dr. Amy McIntosh currently serves as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. She represents Central Michigan University as one of very few female pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the country and works at one of the top pediatric orthopedic programs in the nation. McIntosh graduated summa cum laude from CMU in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in athletic training. She went on to receive her medical degree from Michigan State University and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, College of Medicine. "CMU was the foundation for my future education and career. Without it, I may not have become an orthopedic surgeon. My experiences opened up a whole new world I never knew existed," said McIntosh. She still continues to give back to CMU by skyping presentations to current athletic training classes. A large part of her research is on the concussion risk in youth motocross. She has presented nationally and internationally and has been published more than 28 times. She has received numerous awards and volunteers her time to a number of orthopedic societies across the country. McIntosh is the newest member of the CMU Development Board and awards the Dr. Amy Lynn McIntosh Athletic Training Program Scholarship within the School of Rehabilitation and Medical Sciences annually. Just what the doctor ordered '09 graduate with Doctorate in Health Administration Nearly 30 years after receiving his master's from West Virginia University, Raymond Alvarez chose to come to CMU for our well-known Doctorate of Health Administration program. Alvarez, who established his own health care consulting business in 2012 after working more than 38 years in the health care industry and is an associate professor at West Virginia University, looked at multiple doctoral programs before he chose CMU. "At the 2006 American College of Healthcare Executives Congress, a young recruiter from CMU answered all my questions. The curriculum was exactly what I wanted," Alvarez said. "This was the perfect program for me." Alvarez graduated in August 2009. He serves as a visiting assistant professor at West Virginia University and on dissertation committees at CMU in the Doctorate of Health Administration program. Alvarez says that the connections CMU helped him create have been invaluable. "It's great when someone sees my CMU Alumni sticker on my car bumper and asks "Did you go to Central Michigan?" Alvarez says. Alvarez can say yes, he did, and proudly. CATCHING UP WITH ALUMNI Pulse • Winter 2014 19

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