HMP Alum Ready to Mentor the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders

Meet UNH Health Management and Policy alum Jason Lavallee ’18, a third-generation healthcare leader, who is overseeing the same nursing home where his family once worked. 

Lavallee grew up on Cape Cod, surrounded by healthcare professionals—his grandmother served as a director of nursing, and his father is a nursing home administrator who now serves as the COO for a large skilled nursing facility organization.  

“I was running around nursing homes as a kid, and when it came time to apply for college, I knew I wanted to pursue healthcare management,” Lavallee says. “UNH checked a lot of my boxes. I grew up on Cape Cod and still live there, so I wanted a college that was far enough away to give me a real college experience but also had the healthcare program I was looking for—something not widely available in Massachusetts.”

The Path to Success Through UNH's HMP Program  

Associate Professor Mark Bonica with Jason Lavalle.

 

 

Lavallee’s internship experiences at two skilled nursing facilities—one in Duxbury, MA, and another at Broad Reach Healthcare (his current employer), solidified his decision.

“I spent time in almost every department at those facilities and gained a strong understanding of how everything operates,” Lavallee says.

He credits Associate Professor Mark Bonica for the effort he puts into matching students with internships and for taking the time to visit students over the summer.

“The junior year internship was a huge draw of the HMP program. I firmly believe you don’t know if you like something until you give it an honest try, and the internship gives you that opportunity,” Lavallee says.

Transitioning from College to Career  

Lavallee was initially hesitant about leaving college behind and considered pursuing his master’s degree right after undergrad, but Bonica gave him some well-timed advice.

"I remember him telling me, ‘Don’t go for your master’s degree right away. You’ll regret it because you won’t have the real-life experience to bring to the classroom, and you won’t get as much out of it as you would if you spent a few years in the field first,’” Lavallee recalls. “I took his advice, and to this day, I’m so glad I did.”

Following graduation, Lavallee completed a six-month internship at Broad Reach Healthcare under the guidance of his mentor, preceptor, and current boss, Bill Bogdanovich. Following the internship, he sat for his boards and earned his nursing home administrator’s license in Massachusetts.

He then transitioned to director of admissions and marketing at a skilled nursing facility in Brighton, MA. During COVID-19, he was promoted to manage a 142-bed facility in Gloucester.

“After that one-month stint, they offered me a full-time job as the facility administrator at a 124-bed skilled nursing facility in Braintree in 2021,” Lavallee says. “I was there for a year, overseeing daily management and operations through the pandemic and ever-changing regulations. But I always knew I wanted to get back to Cape Cod, and when the opportunity at Broad Reach came up, everything fell into place.”

As the administrator at Broad Reach Healthcare, Lavallee oversees all aspects of facility management, leads a team of approximately 200 employees, ensures regulatory compliance, and maintains high standards of care for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term residents. He’s also pursuing his master’s in business administration.

“Without the guidance of my father, my mentor and boss Bill, and the support and teaching from Mark at UNH, I would not be where I am today. I am extremely lucky to have had such strong mentors who shaped my career and gave me the opportunities to grow. The HMP program at UNH is incredible, and no matter what sector in healthcare you choose, you will be prepared to succeed after graduation.”

From Intern to Mentor  

This summer, Lavallee is coming full circle as he prepares to welcome his first UNH intern to Broad Reach Healthcare.

“The last intern here was me,” Lavallee says. “We need more young professionals interested in this industry. If anyone has even a remote interest, I want to show them how rewarding this field is and how they can make a difference in people's lives. The fact that it's a UNH student and I can give back makes it even better.”

Bonica, who chairs the HMP program, says he is grateful to see Lavallee giving back—calling it a testament to the program’s strong alumni network.

“The HMP program provides excellent academic preparation for a career in healthcare leadership, but what makes the program special is the commitment from our fabulous alumni, like Jason,” Bonica says. “It is a real joy for me to see a former student step into the mentor role and take on the responsibility of helping prepare the next generation of leaders.”