Show-Me State Times

Dr. Enard expressed her gratitude for being awarded the 2024 Thompson Prize from the AUPHA, stating, “I am honored and humbled to receive the 2024 Thompson Prize from the AUPHA. When you consider the legacy of the past winners, their institutions, and the indelible body of scholarship they have amassed over decades of work – to be recognized as their peer is an incredible feeling.”

The John D. Thompson Prize recognizes faculty based on their overall contributions to the field of health administration education. Enard's nomination for the award was supported by Michael Rozier, S.J., Ph.D., who commended her as a creative, kind, student-focused leader. Rozier expressed his excitement for more members of the profession to learn about Enard's excellent work, highlighting her contributions to the Master of Health Administration program at SLU.

Enard, who has been with SLU since 2014, serves as the director of the Master of Health Administration and Master of Science in Health Administration programs. Additionally, she holds leadership positions within CPHSJ, including Executive Director of the Heartland Center, a key location for the National Public Health Center Training Network.

Apart from her roles at SLU, Enard is actively involved in the academic community. She serves as the co-chair of the National Association of Health Services Executives Research and Academic Engagement committee, a fellow of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, and a board member of AUPHA.

Enard's dedication to mentoring students at various academic levels has been a significant part of her career. She takes pride in guiding students towards successful careers in healthcare and public health, particularly supporting women of color pursuing doctoral degrees.

Addressing health disparities has been a primary focus of Enard's research, aiming to improve policies and practices for safety-net and historically minoritized populations. She emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all her work, drawing from her experiences as a health systems manager and health journalist.

Reflecting on her journey, Enard shared, “When you’re a health reporter, you often speak to people who are facing life-changing, life-threatening scenarios and who are scared. Sometimes, it was just heartbreaking to tell them about potentially life-saving therapies that they could not access because they didn’t have the right kind of insurance or had no insurance at all. Eventually, I wanted to be in a position where I could do something about it.”

Enard's impact on the academic community and her commitment to addressing healthcare disparities have been widely recognized, making her a deserving recipient of the 2024 Thompson Prize from the AUPHA.