Duke University, Durham, NC
The Duke MBA Health Sector Management
Learning and Networking Beyond the Classroom
The Duke MBA Health Sector Management (HSM) programs bring together dedicated health care professionals and managers to create the next generation of leadership for the industry. The HSM concentration offers students a variety of ways to build their leadership skills, as well as engage and network with their peers and potential employers.
We survey each incoming class to ascertain areas of interest and design appropriate program activities. Perennial opportunities for student participation outside the classroom include:
Health Care Club
Our student-run Health Care Club helps educate its members on career opportunities and industry trends throughout all facets of the health care sector. The club also provides a forum for individuals to interact with industry professionals and alumni from prominent health care organizations.
Industry Conferences and Local Meetings
HSM sponsors students to attend local, national, and international health care conferences of interest, such as the meeting of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Center for Entrepreneurial Development and Biotechnology Conference, the Triangle Health care Executive’s Forum, and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.
Health Sector Advisory Council
The council, consisting of senior executives from various health care companies as well as faculty and students from several areas of Duke, meets twice every year to review new trends, emerging technologies, and research-grounded insights into the fast-changing health care environment. Students may apply to attend these meetings.
Formed to provide faculty, students, and staff with an outside perspective on health care, the Health Sector Advisory Council (HSAC) keeps student education current and faculty research relevant.
Career Panels and Discussions
Students and alumni connect with health sector industry leaders through program panel discussions and activities in the Health Care club. Panel discussion topics and industry focus areas are selected based on current student interests.
Peer Networking
The HSM concentration brings together dedicated health care professionals and managers to create the next generation of leadership for the industry. The HSM program fosters teamwork and collaboration, which students take back to their work environments.
Plugged into the World
We draw our students from across the globe, and they benefit from the resources and ideas that are generated through Duke’s many global partnerships, including:
- The Duke Clinical Research Institute, the world’s largest and oldest academic clinical research institution, which has 5,000 investigators worldwide and currently conducts research in sixty-three countries
- The Duke Global Health Initiative, which brings together interdisciplinary teams and partners to reduce health disparities locally and worldwide, solve highly complex health problems, and train the next generation of global health leaders
- The Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore’s first medical school based on the American model of medical education
- The Global Business School Network, which is actively learning about and helping to develop health care management education in Africa
I feel particular pride in my role as co-chair of the Health Care Conference. Working with my classmates to find compelling speakers to come to campus, and taking care of all the details that are involved with hosting such a large event was a tremendous leadership opportunity. In addition, just attending and hearing the perspectives of the professionals that gave their time to be with us that day was rejuvenating. It reinforced for me that health care is a vibrant and challenging industry, and those that choose to work in it definitely have an impact on those around them.
Amy Van Sach ‘08