Galveston College grad Leah Hewitt earns dual master's degrees and inspires future healthcare professionals

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Galveston College alumna Leah Hewitt was working long hours and late nights as a bartender in Galveston. Six years, two certifications, and four degrees later, she is working a “normal” weekday schedule at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston as a senior medical coder for Anesthesiology in the Revenue Cycle Operations Department.

Back to School

Concern about the COVID-19 public health crisis and the desire to help and heal others inspired Leah to enroll in the Galveston College Medical Administration program in January 2021. She was 31 at the time.

“Returning to school during a period of uncertainty in my life ultimately led me to discover a passion for healthcare and a career path that is both meaningful and rewarding,” Hewitt said. “I hope my story encourages others who may be considering a return to school or a career change. It is never too late to invest in yourself, pursue your goals, and create new opportunities for your future.”

Hewitt credits a close friend who also works at UTMB with introducing her to the Galveston College Medical Coding program.

“When I enrolled at Galveston College in January 2021, I worked four nights a week, Thursday through Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.,” Hewitt said. “Some nights, I wasn’t getting home until 4 a.m. I dedicated my days off to attending classes, studying and completing assignments. It required a great deal of discipline and time management, but I remained committed to my educational goals.”

In May 2022, Hewitt accepted a position with the Access Center at UTMB in Galveston, working 40-hour weeks and continuing to bartend on Friday nights. She persevered with her studies at Galveston College and earned a Medical Coding Level One certificate and a Medical Records Technician Level Two certificate in 2022.

“Even with a demanding schedule, I successfully balanced work, online classes, and late nights of studying,” Hewitt said. “After passing my medical coding certification exam in 2022, I transitioned into a medical coder position at UTMB in early 2023. Working from home and having a more stable schedule made it much easier to continue pursuing my education.”

Hewitt completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Administration degree in May 2022 from Galveston College. After that, she enrolled in Galveston College’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Healthcare Management program and graduated in December 2023, all while continuing to work full-time at UTMB.

“Galveston College’s BAS in Healthcare Management degree offers students the opportunity to combine healthcare knowledge with leadership and administrative skills,” Hewitt said. “This program aligned perfectly with my goals to pursue a career in healthcare administration.”

Hewitt said that she enjoyed the supportive learning environment and the personal and professional growth opportunities that Galveston College provided.

“The faculty genuinely cares about student success and are always willing to offer guidance and encouragement,” Hewitt said. “I also appreciated the smaller class sizes, which allowed me to build meaningful relationships with my instructors and classmates.”

Galveston College gave Hewitt a strong foundation in healthcare administration while helping her to develop critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.

“Most important, Galveston College helped me gain confidence in my abilities and reinforced my commitment to pursue a career in healthcare,” Hewitt said. “The education and mentorship I received there played a significant role in preparing me for the next step in my academic and professional journey.”

In October 2025, Hewitt and her fiancé Shane Mitchell became parents to their son, Carter Mitchell. Determined to stay on her academic and career track, Leah completed a Master of Business Administration degree and a Master of Healthcare Administration degree in May 2026 from Texas Woman’s University.

“When I completed the BAS program at Galveston College, I immediately began a dual master's program at Texas Woman's University,” Hewitt said. “I balanced full-time work with evening online classes and completed my assignments late at night. My fiancé was an incredible source of support throughout this journey. He took on many of the household responsibilities, which allowed me to stay focused on my coursework.”

“Balancing a dual master's program during my first pregnancy was physically and emotionally demanding, but I remained determined to finish what I had started,” added Hewitt. “My final semester, including my capstone project, was especially challenging with a newborn at home. The lack of sleep was exhausting, but I was so close to reaching my goal that giving up was never an option. I proudly graduated with my dual master's degree in May 2026.”

Long-Term Goals

Hewitt is focused on building a long-term career in healthcare leadership by progressing to a management role, then to a director position, and ultimately a vice president role.

“I am passionate about Revenue Cycle Operations (RCO) because it plays a critical role in ensuring both the financial health of an organization and a positive patient experience,” Hewitt said. “As I continue to grow professionally, I have developed a strong interest in RCO integrity and compliance as well as the integration of artificial intelligence into revenue cycle processes. I am excited about the potential for AI to improve operational efficiency, enhance accuracy, strengthen regulatory compliance, and support data-driven decision-making.”

Hewitt aspires to be a leader who fosters innovation, develops high-performing teams, and drives meaningful improvements that benefit patients, staff, and the organization.

“I want to help shape the future of healthcare by combining strong operational leadership with emerging technologies to improve outcomes and organizational performance,” Hewitt said. “One of my major life goals is to continue my education once my son and my career are further established. I would like to pursue my JD (juris doctor) in healthcare law, and I would like to eventually fight for healthcare reform.”