HEALTH CARE
Why Vanderbilt?
Health care in America is in critical need of reform. The United States spends nearly 20% of the GDP on health care, and the cost is rising. This creates enormous demand for leaders in every sector of health care. The future is open to leaders who have a strategic understanding of the complexities of the health care industry, as well as solid fundamental business skills. By bringing together an unmatched education in both health care and business, Vanderbilt is preparing those transformational leaders today.
The Health Care specialization is an excellent option for students with or without specific industry experience. This specialization will be paired with a functional area concentration to prepare students for the specific segment of the health care industry they desire to enter. Students typically concentrate in Finance, Accounting, Marketing or Operations.
Curriculum Focus
Health Care Specialization
Hours Required: 20
To earn the Health Care specialization, students complete a rigorous curriculum that requires more health care courses than other programs of its kind. In addition, the innovative seven-week modular framework allows students the flexibility to take a variety of health care electives.
Career Opportunities
MBA health care careers include Biotech, Health Care Plans/Payers, Service Providers, Products and Services, Medical Device, Labs and Research, Pharmaceuticals, Venture Capital and Market Research.
Selected Companies That Hired Owen Students - Health Care
| Accretive Health | Eli Lilly | McKesson |
| American Home Patient | Genentech | The North Highland Company |
| Amgen | HCA | Pfizer |
| Bayer | HealthStream | Thermo Fisher Scientific |
| Boston Scientific | Healthways | Unum |
| Caremark | Humana | Vanderbilt Medical Center |
| DaVita | Johnson & Johnson | Wright Medical |
| ECG Management Consultants | LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. |
Faculty
 Michael BurchamClinical Professor of Entrepreneurship |
 Bruce CooilThe Dean Samuel B. and Evelyn R. Richmond Professor of Management |
 Jim CooperAdjunct Professor of Health Care Management Congressman for Tennessee's 5th District |
 Noel WilliamsAdjunct Professor of Management |
 Keith GreggAdjunct Professor of Health Care Management Chairman & CEO, JRG Ventures |
 Harry JacobsonAdjunct Faculty, Health Care Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Emeritus, Vanderbilt University |
 Paul KeckleyAdjunct Professor of Health Care Management Executive Director, Deloitte Center for Health Solutions; |
 Jon LehmanAssociate Dean for Health Care Management Associate Dean of Students |
 Rangaraj RamanujamAssociate Professor of Management |
 Gregg TarquinioAdjunct Professor of Health Care Management Vice Chair for Finance and Administration, Vanderbilt Department of Medicine |
 R. Lawrence Van HornAssociate Professor of Health Care Management Faculty Director, Health Care Programs |
 Timothy VogusAssistant Professor of Management |
Resume-Building Activities
Vanderbilt Health Care Management Alumni Association
The mission of the association is to support the development and ongoing success of health care programs at Owen and to provide professional development opportunities for members of the Vanderbilt community interested in the business of health care. The group takes a very active role in the career development of Health Care MBA students, providing one-on-one mentoring and industry networking opportunities.
Health Care Clinical Immersion
This one-week course provides you with hands-on exposure to the realities and complexities of health care delivery. Some of the many activities include observing surgeries inside the operating room, testing medical devices, touring community clinics, viewing dialysis, experiencing the LifeFlight helicopter service and spending a night shift at either an adult emergency room or pediatric intensive care unit.
More Resume-Building Activities
Leadership Health Care
Formed in 2002 as an initiative of the Nashville Health Care Council to foster the next generation of health care leaders by creating educational and networking opportunities for members.
Nashville Health Care Council
Industry leaders working to further establish Nashville as the nation's health care capital.
Vanderbilt Health Care Business Association
A student organization that prepares its members for careers in the healthcare industry.
Washington DC Trip
Meet with politicians and policy makers to discuss the ever-evolving health care landscape.
Meet Students & Alumni
Paul Asper
Vanderbilt MBA 2010
Redwoods Summer Associate, DaVita
“(Owen is) more academically rigorous and more fun than I could have ever imagined.”
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Stefan Banks
Vanderbilt MBA 2010
MBA Summer Administrative Intern, HCA
“(The professors) have provided the best information I have ever received in a class.”
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Chris Caughman
Vanderbilt MBA 2008
Associate Planning Lead, Genetech
“Owen challenged me to think differently about solving problems.”
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Rita Chang
Vanderbilt MBA 2010
MBA Intern, McKesson
“(An Owen MBA will) help me move to the next level in my career.”
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Kyle Clay
Vanderbilt MBA 2009
Regional Operations Director, DaVita
“I don’t know of any other program where I could take three different classes with a Congressman, a Senator and a former health care CEO all in the same day.”
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Trevor Hsu
Vanderbilt MBA 2010
Infusion Intern, Humana
“(At Owen) there are opportunities to balance school, clubs and social activities.”
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Anu Pardeshi
Vanderbilt MBA 2004
Director of Special Projects, DaVita
“Owen’s position within the health care industry is second to none.”
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Liz Pavlic
Vanderbilt MBA 2008
Procurement Leadership Development Program, Johnson & Johnson
“(Owen) is a place where you not only learn in the classroom, you also learn by owning a part of the school. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
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Amy Schellhaas
Vanderbilt MBA 2009
Assistant Brand Manager, Bayer Health Care
“Owen really is a community - the deans chat with you during lunch, professors invite students over for dinner and the students are each other’s best friends and support systems.”
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Industry News & Multimedia
Selected Health Care Faculty Research and News
Skills Companies Seek
Typical MBA skill sets are valued in the industry
Knowledge of health care or the specific segment will make you competitive
Specific skill set will depend on the functional are you choose to pursue