Division administrator loves taking on challenges

André Le Blanc, MHA, enjoys solving problems. As the new administrator for the Adult Mental Health Division of the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department, he will have ample opportunity to do so.

“I like taking on challenges that have a tangible impact,” said Le Blanc. “I like to focus on the obstacles people face from an administrative standpoint and work to remove or simplify them.”

Le Blanc (pictured here) recognizes that the pace of administrative work can often be frustrating, especially when working in a large research institution. “And rightly so,” he said. “Processes are intended to be protective and naturally take additional time and effort. As an administrator, I ensure compliance with University policies while mitigating the administrative burdens my colleagues face. When you’re trying to help, it can be frustrating to be in the middle. You have to balance being accountable to both.”

Before joining the Department, Le Blanc was Deputy Director of the U’s Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity. Before that, he spent two years as Director of Clinical Services and Operations for the Annex Teen Clinic in Robbinsdale, MN. He has more than a decade of healthcare experience in various settings and roles.

Le Blanc holds a BA in Comparative Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Executive Master of Healthcare Administration from the U. “I wanted to dig deeper into how structural racism at the highest levels of health care affects health outcomes through the business decisions that healthcare leaders make – and how that affects patients,” he said.

Something that excites Le Blanc about his new role is learning about the challenges his colleagues face and bringing a fresh perspective that supports their work. “Especially if they’ve invested time and effort in a project, and it just needs some extra fuel to move it forward,” he said. “I enjoy helping people get things done that are important to them.”

When not at work, Le Blanc fly fishes whenever he can (he is pictured above fishing in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin). “Fly fishing can be complex, but it can also be quite simple,” he said. “I enjoy tenkara fly fishing for this reason — the simplicity. Because there is no reel, only a telescoping rod, a weighted line, and a few fly patterns. I can travel light, get outdoors, and be fully present, playfully and delicately interacting with the natural world.” He also enjoys travel, design, ceramics, photography, and gardening. And, of course, being a dad to his son, Moshe Azariah.