2024 Student Commencement Speaker: Danica Denning

When Danica Denning gave birth to a micro preemie at Loyola University Medical Center eleven years ago, she saw firsthand the role doctors and administrative staff play in making the hospital a safe place for everyone. Now, as Department Administrator in Pediatrics and Urology, Danica not only enhances the efficiency of hospital operations, but she also fosters a culture of care by supporting doctors, staff, and patients.

Danica, who received her bachelor’s degree in applied psychology in 2021 before pursuing her MHA at the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, is this year’s Student Commencement Speaker. A full-time hospital administrator with four children committed to setting an example that it’s never too late to continue your education, Danica was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities, in October.

“I wanted to show my kids that anything is possible no matter how old you are,” Danica says. “Even when you don’t have faith in yourself at the moment, it can grow.” Another thing Danica tries to instill in her kids is to be kind and good to each other. She wants them to understand the importance of treating people with dignity. That is her advice to her peers as well.

In her Commencement Speech, Danica has this reminder for her fellow graduates as they embark on their diverse careers – as administrators, public health practitioners, scientists, any role dedicated to improving human health:

“To authentically serve those under our care, we must transcend preconceived notions and approach each person with humility, drawing upon the skills we’ve learned. Equipped with the privilege of education, we can effect profound transformations in the lives of patients, communities, and those we serve. This entails acknowledging and attending to the inherent uniqueness within everyone.”

Danica hopes to apply her administrative skills to Adolescent Mental Health by helping to establish more services and give teens, in particular, more access to these services. She is grateful for those who were there for her along the way, and she wants to continue to show others that same grace.

“It’s been a pleasure to journey through the MHA program with Danica,” Kimberly Rusk, EdD, graduate program director and assistant professor, says. “She didn’t just meet expectations; she exceeded them. She stands before us as a reflection of her accomplishments and a testament to the resilience and triumph of a working professional who dares to dream about improving healthcare. Rusk says. “We celebrate her story and look forward to seeing her change the world.”