From classroom to care: Meet Alyssa Manzano
In health care, communication can be just as critical as clinical care. Ensuring patients
feel heard, informed and supported requires coordination, empathy and leadership behind
the scenes. At Methodist Richardson Medical Center, that responsibility falls to the
senior project leader for patient relations, who works closely with multidisciplinary
teams, corporate leadership and Risk Management to advocate for patients and strengthen
the care experience. Meet Alyssa Manzano.
Graduating from UNT Health Fort Worth’s Master of Health Administration program in May 2025, Manzano accepted the offer for the Senior Project Leader position just a month prior to graduation. Working in a quality management department alongside nurses, doctors, and therapists exposed her to the inner workings of hospital administration. She has shaped her role into one that works best for her while building confidence in her abilities to explore how systems operate in the workplace.
“I fell into what feels like the perfect role for me,” Manzano said. “It’s both challenging and exciting.”
The first year of a career can present significant challenges, but also meaningful opportunities. Manzano often finds herself navigating sensitive situations or high-stress events working in Patient Relations and Quality while serving as patients’ advocate. When multiple individuals are involved in a patient’s care, the patients may feel their concerns go unaddressed or feel uncertain about what to share and with whom. Other common scenarios Manzano faces at work include the navigation of family dynamics, cultural or religious sensitivity, ethical dilemmas, anxieties around a procedure, and confusion or frustration with medical charges.
Manzano is currently leading the development of a “Patient Care Check-In” system designed to help patients better understand and engage in their care. The guide is based on patient relations, safety, and experience data. Structured as a checklist with six categories for recapping their stay, the resource makes it easy for patients to share feedback or important needs with the hospital, so staff can follow-up accordingly.
“I try to remain grounded for our patients while supporting them through difficult situations. It’s important I maintain a composed approach for them and for staff to close any gaps in communication.”
Manzano’s respect for the health care realm has grown tremendously in the past year as she bears witness to the daily workload of health professionals. Understanding her colleagues’ processes not only benefits the patient’s experience but allows her to support their work citing that “the strength of one directly influences the well-being of another.” This perspective deepened her appreciation for the coordination required across teams and the critical role communication plays in delivering quality patient care.
“The MHA program at UNT Health gave me a solid foundation for my career with working knowledge of health care laws, regulations, insurance, data analysis, and process and quality improvement.”
The invaluable opportunities Manzano received to step out of her comfort zone and network in different health care spaces provided her with vital skills for growing as a professional. Earning her degree at UNT Health was the launch to her career.
“Following my time at UNT Health, I was concerned about my career options without a clinical background,” said Manzano, who holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M University. The Corpus Christi native planned to remain in North Texas, where the metroplex has grown into a promising hub for health care. “I was fortunate to receive strong support throughout my job search, which ultimately led to the senior project leader role.”
As she approaches 10 months in her position, she is grateful for the experiences of the past year and the lessons learned so far.
“If you find yourself in a leadership role as an early professional, it is important to remain open to learning new things,” Manzano said. “You may not have all the answers, and that is okay. But give yourself grace for not knowing everything.”