Benedictine values, liberal arts education play important roles in health care, student success

LISLE, Ill., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With nearly 8 million Americans enrolled for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, staying with a health care organization and physician may still present a challenge. Some health organizations, hospitals and doctor's offices get bad reputations for mass producing health care that can limit doctor-patient interaction.

Patients, doctors and health insurance companies are at times at odds on how best to implement quality patient care. However, many agree that health care practitioners with a strong liberal arts education can help provide the best service to patients because they are attentive to needs beyond physical ailments – and better care means a healthier society and lower medical costs.

There is a growing trend among higher education institutions to ensure future scientists, health care practitioners, business leaders and information technology gurus understand that liberal arts are vital to excelling in their fields. Students who enjoy a strong liberal arts curriculum make better doctors and business professionals who have strong writing skills and cross-cultural understanding.

Known for its rigorous science programs, and high matriculation rates into medical and graduate schools, Benedictine University incorporates values-centered studies into core degree requirements. By doing so, the University creates well-rounded graduates who are not only well-versed and practiced in their field of study, but also bring a personal value and concern for others that can enhance performance.

Benedictine promises its students an affordable and attainable undergraduate and graduate education infused with the Benedictine values that creates better learners, better leaders and better world citizens. Student learning and success is the University's first priority and the success of graduates like Michael M. Alebich, Michael A. Liss and Andrea M. Kane prove that this balanced background helps build upon future successes.                                                            

Alebich, who played football at Benedictine, is an internal medicine physician and the chief medical resident at the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Liss, who was on Benedictine's football and track teams, is an assistant professor of Urologic Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Kane, who ran track and played volleyball at Benedictine, is a pediatrician with the Advocate Medical Group. Living a life in balance is a core Benedictine value.

Read more at ben.edu/benupromise.

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SOURCE Benedictine University