Natalie McMurry, MBA, NHA, RYT

Personal/Educational Background

I’m originally from Waukesha, WI, and spent my undergraduate years here at UW-Eau Claire! I originally declared a nursing major but found that the mix between business and healthcare was more for me – so I am an HCAD alum! I’ve lived in Murray Hall, Towers South and on the 9^th block of Water Street! After starting my career as a Nursing Home Administrator, I came back to UWEC to obtain my Masters in Business Administration. You could say I’m a double Blugold who can’t seem to get enough of this place!

Since graduating from UWEC and enjoying my career as a leader in healthcare, I have also become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). Yoga is something very near and dear to my heart and it has served me well, both on and off of my mat. I enjoy being active and I really enjoy teaching yoga classes – there is nothing better than the feeling of moving and breathing with a community!

I have two young children, twins! One boy and one girl! We also have three fur babies - two cats and a dog, who are sometimes more of a handful than the twins! The kids and I love spending time outside, on and in the water, and snuggling while watching funny movies! I also enjoy yoga (obviously!), walking/hiking, reading and traveling.

Employment Experience

Throughout my 10+ years as a NHA, I operated several Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities. I loved each community that I had the honor of being at – each location offered different experiences and different challenges that have helped to shape me into who I am today. Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to oversee several large renovations, obtain a CMS 5-star rating, earn a perfect survey and lead some really dynamic interdisciplinary teams. I am so grateful for the opportunities that a career in healthcare has provided.

I most recently was the Vice President at a Human Services Organization that specializes in mental health. In this role I was able to oversee an expansive continuum of services in multiple settings to aide individuals with mental illnesses learn new coping mechanisms to transgress their diagnoses and work their way towards independence into the least restrictive environment where they can lead happy, healthy and productive lives!

Role at UW-Eau Claire

I started in my role as the Health Care Administration (HCAD) Administrative Residency Coordinator & Instructor at UW- Eau Claire in January 2023. My role is almost solely dedicated to the administrative residency process and the cohorts of students. I help our outgoing cohort students in applying/interviewing to sites, through the matching process with our facility partners, and in placement. I work with our current residency students through their year of the residency in various roles: through related coursework (both online and during face-to-face learning module experiences on campus or during site/Zoom visits), navigating challenges, etc. The online courses that I teach include the residency courses themselves (400, 401, 402, and 420) and three “broad-knowledge” classes (HR, Marketing, and Rules & Regs).  Last, I also teach HCAD 101 (face to face) to students to introduce them to what the HCAD program is all about.