MBA in International Healthcare Management (IHM)

• First academic degree
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• At least 3 years of professional experience
• Healthcare relevant background or interest

Admission to the MBA IHM programme at Frankfurt School is very competitive and the application process consists of 4 steps:

1. Online application

2. Assessment interview

3. Results

4. Start of the programme

Please find all the details further down.

This module gives an overview of the main and basic types of healthcare systems and the underlying dimensions.  A comprehensive introduction to the German Healthcare System serves as the basis and role model for comparing different systems and to foster discussions.  In addition, the module introduces the basic principles of economics and main techniques applied in financial and managerial accounting which will be applied to different examples and exercises during the module.

The module starts with teambuilding activities to foster collaboration and communication among the students.

Soft skills are promoted in the team exercises. Interaction and discussions among students and team work play a central role in this and all modules of the MBA IHM.

Building on financial accounting introduced in module 1, the course introduces the most important financial management tools, available financing instruments, methods of cost accounting and management systems as well as performance controlling. Students will learn to make decisions regarding the optimal financial structure as well as how to control performance. Special emphasis is placed on strategic and organizational aspects.

The course is focussing on the most important elements of Strategic Planning and Market Oriented Management. Students learn about the process of strategic management and how the process and implementation unfolds within companies. The course also enables student to use scientific methods of market analysis and development to create substantial market oriented strategies and tactical approaches. In addition the challenges of implementing and developing a healthcare system in an emerging country will be discussed based on an introduction to the Indian Healthcare System.

The module focuses on the introduction to Innovation Management, analysing real examples on the market entry of innovative healthcare products and services, and the basics of Project Management. Students will have the opportunity to work on a live Case Study dealing with a real innovation project, learn its management problems and develop solutions in collaboration with experienced practitioner. In addition the current status and trends of the US Healthcare System will be discussed.

After four modules focusing on financial and strategic aspects in the healthcare industry, students will develop a business plan for a real investment project to observe the issues and problems arising from applying the reviewed concepts in the real setting.

In addition, based on the MarkStrat Online simulation game participants learn how to use management tools in the area of strategic marketing and portfolio management in a problem-oriented and effective way. Moreover, they learn how to manage decision-making processes in a company as a complex system.

This module focuses on the basic principles of Quality and Risk Management, Business Process Management, Six Sigma and Approaches of Integrated Healthcare Value Chains.

Students will understand and learn how to transfer management approaches from other industries into healthcare business.

In addition, the basic principles of the Singaporian Healthcare System will be discussed and the Australian Healthcare System will be introduced.

This module addresses the flow of tangible goods within an organisation, taking into account the specifics in a healthcare environment. Participants are introduced to the principles of logistics, purchasing and facility management. The students will also work out the key role and challenges of IT in healthcare.

The core of the live case study in cooperation with a strong business partner (IT industry) will be a real IT related management issue. After being introduced to the case, the students will have to use the provided information plus some research  to develop, present and discuss their solutions.

In addition, the introduction to the NHS will offer the opportunity of a comprehensive discussion of Healthcare Systems in comparison. 

This module addresses the topics Human Resource Management and Organisational Development as the key elements of management and change in healthcare related business.

Students will also receive an introduction in the Dubai healthcare system and the trends in the Golf region.

This module consists of three parts related to the role individuals play in an organisation: Leadership, Intercultural Management and Ethics.

In Leadership participants learn how to develop and maintain human resources potential in a healthcare environment from the perspective of a leader. In the part Intercultural Management, they build on their own experiences during the programme to learn how to become an effective international manager, how to lead and motivate, foster co-operation and create synergies. Additionally, various topics on the ethics in hospital and healthcare management are discussed, especially the relationship between medicine and economics.

The culmination of the MBA programme is the Master Thesis. It applies an action learning approach and offers programme members the option of basing their Master Thesis on management issues in their business environment or integrated management projects. Its aim is to demonstrate a critical and reflective approach to management.

Effective healthcare requires leadership, sound decision-making skills, and expertise. In addition, it requires entrepreneurial thinking and the willingness to innovate in how healthcare services are delivered.

In a field driven by innovation, it’s vital that you keep pace. A solid business plan can be the difference between just an idea and a successful business. In the process of creating one, you will develop an understanding of strategic planning, market situations and competitive advantages.

Our MBA IHM is based on a mixture of theoretical learning supported and reinforced with case studies and group work following the Harvard model of teaching.

The case studies have been tailored to meet class objectives - based on real-world situations and focused on health care. In addition, our participants are asked to bring in their own, work-related cases. Teamwork and group presentations are other key elements.

Industry leaders join students from different backgrounds and cultures to discuss current real-life challenges and opportunities within an international healthcare setting. 

Many opportunities arise, both on campus and at various site visits, to engage with health care experts, key industry players and innovative healthcare entrepreneurs.

The MBA IHM Leadership Coaching features individualized coaching designed to meet your needs wherever you are in your journey toward reaching your leadership potential.

On December 4, 2006, Johns Hopkins University trustees, in response to a $50 million gift from William Polk Carey, voted to establish a new business school dedicated to producing innovative leaders with broad, interdisciplinary knowledge. The new Carey Business School opened January 1, 2007, continuing the Johns Hopkins tradition of bringing innovative business management programs to the ever-changing workplace.

The Carey Business School offers a Full-time MBA, an Executive MBA, Masters of Science, Undergraduate degrees, and Certificate business programmes in a variety of formats that provide humanistic business education in an environment of intellectual inquiry and entrepreneurial spirit. Our campuses in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas offers students access to the one of world’s most influential regions.

was established in 1990. Creating a vast state-of-the-art academic infrastructure, putting together best of teaching talent, equipping with every required learning aid ensures that students at Acharya get the best in academics.

The wide range of Acharya academics encompasses Engineering, Management, Technology, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, Teaching, Journalism, Communication, Fashion Design, etc. Acharya Institutes is truly emerging as the nurturing ground for leadership. Sporting, cultural and extra-curricular facilities ensure an enjoyable campus life. It is becoming synonymous with practical, industry-focused education and is attracting students from across the globe. 

Find more information on their website.

was established in 1936. The Vision of the TISS has been to be an institution of excellence in higher education that continually responds to changing social realities through the development and application of knowledge, towards creating a people-centered, ecologically sustainable and just society that promotes and protects dignity, equality, social justice and human rights for all.

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is a global leader in health care information technology. We are changing health care around the world. Cerner has been established in the United Kingdom for more than 20 years. We have contributed to the growth of health care IT across Europe and as a major supplier to the NHS Connecting for Health programme.

Cerner UK associates are at the forefront of development with Cerner Millennium®, evolving patient care, updating millions of patient records, scheduling future appointments and reducing waiting lists. As a result, clinicians have access to more complete and current patient information.

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• you are working in the healthcare industry, confronted with challenging management and leadership decisions.
• you need confidence and detailed background knowledge so you can take an authoritative role in discussions with colleagues, customers, shareholders and stakeholders.
• you work in an international environment and would like to exchange ideas and discuss solutions for various international and intercultural issues with your peers.
• you would like to know more about the management models and methodologies of different players in the healthcare industry.

If you are interested in joining a group of dynamic individuals, and in building new skills and a solid foundation of specialised knowledge as you pursue a management career in the international healthcare industry, we encourage you to apply for Frankfurt School's IHM.

Job description

• Consultant/Lecturer and Instructor of the Section of Periodontology, Specialist in Periodontology
• Department of Operative Dentistry, Clinic for Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg/ Germany
• I am involved as a clinician providing dental care, as a lecturer and instructor for under- and postgraduate education. In addition, clinical research and administrative tasks are included in my job description

Career moves after graduation: exploring further opportunities …

Interview

To what extent did the MBA IHM prepare you for the challenges of your current job? Which knowledge or skills have been especially useful? 

Having studied dentistry and working in academia/public sector did not offer much room for exposure to economic and managerial aspects of the healthcare business. Usually administrative tasks are rather handled on learning by doing manner than through education. The academic career path in the medical field assigns many leadership roles through teaching, supervising and becoming a role model. The MBA at Frankfurt School has offered me the opportunity to broaden my horizon and acquire crucial knowledge in the field of healthcare management specifically in quality, process management and leadership. Working as a consultant in an academic institution requires this kind of knowledge and skills on the level of clinical operation as well as on the academic level of education and research. The part-time modus of the program has given me the chance to combine the theory with the practical execution. In addition, the program has offered me a great academic insight into economics and finance, from which I could benefit on the personal as well as on the career level. All over the MBA has prepared me for the challenges of this leadership role and enhanced my performance for that matter.

In my current job especially the research environment is dominated by an international culture. Reflecting about the time spent in a diverse intercultural community given through this MBA program, I have come to realize that my tolerance and cultural awareness has been shifted. The added value of the overall experience is represented in the gained ability to manage, lead and be part of international teams with different ethnic and cultural background. Building a work culture on the basis of existing differences would probably become less of a challenge in the future. The increased competence, confidence and social cultural intelligence encouraged through the experience has positively influenced my ability to work across cultures.

How would you characterise the course of your career so far?

The course of my career has been dominated by academia so far. Enhancing my practical as well as my academic career has been a priority since I graduated from dental school. Clinical (Specialty in Periodontology) as well as academic achievements (doctorate degree) have upgraded my position at the University Hospital. Research, teaching and clinical practice are the three pillars of my daily working routine. Getting promoted to consultant has added some administrative and management aspects to this routine. The MBA has given me an academic insight and knowledge to enhance my performance and help me address the different challenges of this academic and clinical career course.

What was your favourite module and why?

My favorite module was in the United States at Johns Hopkins. The overall educational experience was unique and inspiring. The dynamic of the group had matured by that time so the social aspect of the module has been a pleasure as well.

Nevertheless, the module in Singapore has been a special one. The Singapore healthcare culture in addition to the topics of quality and process management was enriching in knowledge and experience.

What’s your favourite memory of your time with the MBA IHM?

I have a lot of memorable moments to take with me from this MBA. Every module was an experience on its own. Although the program and the schedule were highly demanding and occupied, the dynamic of the group has offered a lot of room for many memorable moments to enjoy during class and after. Once you have a look at the number of pictures, videos and texts shared within our WhatsApp group you realize what a great experience it was and how many memories you take with you. The intercultural experience is one of the main strengths of this program. It was a journey of knowledge accompanied by great people from all over the world. Having a surprise birthday party organized far away in Baltimore by my classmates was a moment I will always remember.

How important are alumni for a business school? 

Networking have become essential for a successful business environment nowadays. A strong network of alumni is essential especially for an international program like the IHM. Promoting the school all over the world as well as keeping the contact to the school could help build up and enhance the reputation of the academic institution. 

What’s the motto you live your life by?

Actually I have some of them … here the first two coming to my mind:

• "Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi
• "You never gonna survive unless you are a little crazy"

Job description

The Project Management Specialist (Health) is assigned to the Health Team in USAID/Afghanistan's Office of Health & Nutrition. The Office of Health & Nutrition is the primary liaison between the U.S. Government (USG) and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). The Health Team primarily liaises with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), and with several bilateral and multilateral donor agencies in health sector in Afghanistan. Basically, I provide technical, administrative, financial, and management assistance to USAID/Afghanistan. I serve as programme specialist for health and population activities and assist USAID in implementing the Agency's sector-wide health activities in Afghanistan. In addition, I am responsible for managing and coordinating project activities with officials in the Ministry of Public Health as well as with other ministries and international agencies associated with the implementation of health and population projects.

Interview

To what extent did the MBA IHM prepare you for the challenges of your current job? Which knowledge or skills have been especially useful?

The MBA-IHM programme at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management provided me the opportunity to explore the different models of healthcare system and their functions with different regulations and management style that empowered me to propose significant reform and provide better advice for improving healthcare system in Afghanistan. In addition, over the course of MBA programme, I had the opportunity to further strengthen my knowledge about techniques applied in financial and managerial accounting. In particular, some fundamental of accounting principles and the regulatory framework governing the construction of the main financial statements that enabled me in understanding and developing financial statements.

What was your favourite module and why?

My favorite module was Value Chain Management since this module addressed the flow of tangible goods within an organisation and in the whole healthcare value chain, taking into account the specifics in a healthcare environment including the principles of logistics, supply management and facility management.

How important are alumni for a business school? What do you think alumni can do for their alma mater?

I believe alumni play an important role specially sharing best practices and lessons learned with each other which enhance the knowledge of everyone in healthcare and hospital management.

Job description

Quality management improvement and research in Neurosurgery

Interview

To what extent did the MBA IHM prepare you for the challenges of your current job? Which knowledge or skills have been especially useful?

A healthcare system, involving all stakeholders, challenges and problems, is quite complex. During my medical studies I learned evidence-based medicine, i.e. the how, what and when about diseases. However, healthcare delivery is more than that. You need logistics, management, leadership and moreover financial resources. The way we should divide resources, how funds are applied, where they come from and how we can improve healthcare quality is something no one teaches us during our medical studies.

As the way we evaluate healthcare delivery in medicine is changing, i.e. from volume to value, challenges in delivering evidence-based results on quality and quality control are being faced. Consequently, learning about these topics as a physician is of great importance. During my MBA in the Frankfurt School I learned interesting methods and research tools to apply in my field. I feel now the responsibility to apply these tools to improve how neurosurgical patients are treated, find out what type of patients suffer more complications or what kind of patients are in danger of being early readmitted, to name a few. My job is now to improve quality and increase the safety of my patients. Oh, there’s a lot to do now :)

How would you characterise the course of your career so far?

As a neurosurgery resident in a University Hospital in Germany, I have clinical, research and educational tasks. Until now, I focused on clinical trials and experimental research, but now a new field has opened up for me. After my MBA, I stayed in the same field (as I love my work and surgery too much). However, I learned skills and tools to improve the way I deliver healthcare. The social economic factors of a healthcare system are as important as the therapies we provide, since we need resources in order to deliver healthcare and the way we rationalize and divide these, will lead to the balance between the patients in need and the treatment we can offer.

What was your favourite module and why?

My favorite module was the USA module. Here we had the opportunity to study the healthcare system of the USA in the John Hopkins Business School in Washington and in Baltimore. It was not only impressive to get to know an institution like the John Hopkins Hospital but the challenges that Americans are facing are enriching topics to discuss and learn about. Discussing issues on how the most expensive healthcare system in the world is maintained, together with, to name a few, innovations through provider strategies, e.g. payer-provider integration, or project management in this context was enlightening. Moreover, Washington is a beautiful city full of life and history.

What’s your favourite memory of your time with the MBA IHM?

This is really a hard question. In 20 months we travelled to six countries and conducted over 10 modules. Uncountable amounts of skype and telephone conferences, as well as late night sessions discussing marketing strategies for a virtual game or team assignments, not to mention hundreds of memories of joy, excitement and challenges by dealing with intercultural differences. These experience changed my perception on work, resources, and perhaps even life.

However, if I had to pick one favorite memory, I would say it would be our graduation day; that was the moment when I realized and assimilated what happened in the last 20 months. Talking to everyone about their future plans, seeing how my colleagues had developed in the course of 20 months, changing their jobs, acquiring new tasks in their works and also understanding the shift in perception regarding healthcare, economics and cultural topics I experienced myself. I was grateful that I had the opportunity to join such programme.

How important are alumni for a business school? What do you think alumni can do for their alma mater?

An important part of the MBA were the friendships and relationships I could build and the contacts I made. The networking during the MBA is something one should not underestimate. Knowledge, if you don’t apply it, might skip your memory after a while, but we all know how relationships can last a lifetime and help you move forward. Sometimes knowing the right people at the right time, can help find the missing puzzle in a big quest. I believe alumni can help keeping the network of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management alive and add more puzzles to this pool of opportunities.

The impressive achievements of Professor Dr med. Ines Gockel highlight the fact that Frankfurt School’s study programmes are not just intended for enhancing careers in banking and finance.
Dr Gockel was awarded an MBA that was specifically designed as a qualification for people working in the medical professions and healthcare, including doctors and managers: Frankfurt School’s Master of Business Administration in International Healthcare Management (IHM).

Only the third woman in Germany to be appointed as the head of a thoracic and abdominal surgery department at a university hospital, Dr Gockel became Executive Director of the Department of Abdominal, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the University Hospital of Leipzig in October 2014. Previously, she had worked at hospitals in Wiesbaden und then Mainz, where she finished as Head of the Department of General, Abdominal and Transplant Surgery. Her clinical specialities include minimally invasive visceral surgery and surgical oncology, and for many years she has been building a very successful career as a surgeon in a field usually dominated by men.

Ines Gockel completed her medical studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz. After passing her United States Medical License Examinations and earning a business studies degree at St Galler Business School in Switzerland, she further strengthened her management skills by studying for an MBA in International Healthcare Management at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, starting in 2011 and graduating in 2013. For Dr Gockel, this was the most important higher-education course she has attended since being awarded her doctorate in medicine.

Interview

To what extent did your MBA prepare you for the challenges of your current job? What did you find especially useful?

Studying at Frankfurt School gave me a deeper understanding of the economic aspects of health management, both national and international. The Quality Management and Change Management modules had the greatest influence on my clinical thinking and decisions. The way the course prepared me for a leadership role was also extremely useful; the Human Resources Management module, for example, provided valuable insights that have helped me in my current work. Unfortunately, this kind of theoretical, background knowledge – together with the various practical skills involved – is not something you learn while studying for a medical degree. And yet I believe these skills are indispensable if you want to forge a successful medical and scientific career in a position of leadership.

Looking back, how important was your time as a student at Frankfurt School in the greater scheme of things?

For me, my degree course at Frankfurt School was the most important higher-education course since my medical studies. This isn’t just because of the multifaceted aspects of health economics we covered in the modules, but also because of the methodologies I learned and now apply to my scientific and clinical projects – since studying at Frankfurt School, I have completely rethought and modified my approach. Of course I didn’t study for an MBA in International Healthcare Management for purely academic reasons; it was also a very useful way to prepare for specific areas of activity in my current work. The MBA expanded my horizons in all the right ways, extending far beyond the issues and challenges I had encountered in university environments prior to the course. After many years of clinical work, studying at Frankfurt School helped further my own personal development.

What’s your favourite memory of your time at Frankfurt School?

Besides the specialist knowledge I acquired and the many interesting on-site visits I made to various hospitals and healthcare institutions in different cultures around the world, my favourite memories are of the networks I built and contacts I made during the course. I still stay in close touch with my fellow students in this country and abroad.

How important are alumni for a business school? What do you think alumni can do for their alma mater?

Alumni can enhance the contact between graduates and students. As well as establishing new, interdisciplinary networks, they can give useful feedback to both university and students on aspects of the degree course which they found especially useful, while simultaneously suggesting possible improvements that could benefit future generations of students.

What’s your favourite motto?

Problems are there to be solved.

Before Blessing decided to start the MBA in International Healthcare Management, he had already worked for a few years in Zimbabwe and the USA in consulting managers from all subsidiaries of consolidated health delivery organization on various projects. He was responsible for writing technical documents presented for business plans or proposals to other entities and project information memoranda & applications for funding applications to financial institutions.

Then Blessing decided to boost his career with an MBA that was specifically designed as a qualification for people working in the healthcare sector: Frankfurt School’s MBA in International Healthcare Management (IHM).

Job description

• Project manager of Pangaea Zimbabwe’s strategic information unit, monitoring and evaluation partner on the PEPFAR funded I-TECH (International Training and Education Center for Health) HIV Care and Treatment Consortium.
• Responsible for managing the analysis of HIV care and treatment clinical outcome data, for program monitoring, reporting and strategic management of program.

Career moves after graduation

Since graduation while I am still at the same organization, my leadership responsibilities have increased and I am now the head of a unit comprised of 2 strategic information coordinators and 9 officers.

Interview

To what extent did the MBA IHM prepare you for the challenges of your current job? Which knowledge or skills have been especially useful?

The MBA IHM has exposed me to international best practice in managing health projects. Key topics covered in the training including cost accounting, project management, process and quality management, provided tools to help structure our work plan and be able to monitor and improve performance.

How would you characterise the course of your career so far?

Since completing the MBA IHM I have moved from being a specialist in health analytics, to assuming a senior leadership and project management role in the same organization. It will hopefully open up more opportunities in international health care.

What was your favourite module and why?

The London module was my favourite as it exposed me to health IT and supply chain management at a global scale. It exposed me on how to translate cutting edge health IT research and development, into a commercial enterprise operating in numerous international markets. Furthermore, we learnt the value of optimizing processes on the healthcare delivery continuum, to improve efficiencies that increase the margin realized by any organization whether public or private.

What’s your favourite memory of your time with the MBA IHM?

My favourite memory is being at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Maryland, with a diverse group of classmates from more than 15 different countries. Irrespective of what colour we are, country we are from and culture we belong, we were all amazed at the history and story of Johns Hopkins.

How important are alumni for a business school?

What do you think alumni can do for their alma mater?
It would be good to know which cities and countries globally, Frankfurt School MBA IHM alumni are located, so we remain connected and bring awareness of opportunities in various fields in health care.

Prof. Dr. Christoph Frank Dietrich is Head of the 2nd Department of Medicine, Caritas-Krankenhaus, Bad Mergentheim, Germany. He is a specialist in gastroenterology & proctology, hematology-oncology & palliative care, pneumology and geriatric medicine.

His scientific career is focused on endoscopy and ultrasound (endoscopic ultrasound). He is Editor of 13 books. Translations of books have been published in German, English, Spanish and Czech. He is author of more than 600 scientific papers and book chapters. Recently he served as President of the German Association for Endoscopy (DGE-BV, 2013) and as President of the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) [2013 - 2015]. He is currently member of the WFUMB Administrative Council (2015 - 2017)

Interview

To what extent did the MBA IHM prepare you for the challenges of your current job? Which knowledge or skills have been especially useful?

The MBA IHM was useful to better understand health care in general and specifically in the mirror of the challenges of the German health care system including the practical issues to better manage hospital organisation and ambulatory care with a focus on cost control mechanisms and quality improvement measures.

Contents of the MBA thesis were published as well reflecting more details [(1-3)].

How would you characterise the course of your career so far?

I stayed in the same field but performing on a higher level.

What was your favourite module and why?

The composition of all ten modules and the performance in the respective international surrounding was my favorite characteristic of the MBA IHM.

What’s your favourite memory of your time with the MBA IHM?

As an older student with the age of 49 y/o “for ever young”.

How important are alumni for a business school?

What do you think alumni can do for their alma mater?
Alumni are potentially of value. They may offer teaching and could give feedback.

References

1. Dietrich CF, Riemer-Hommel P. Challenges for the German Health Care System. Z.Gastroenterol. 2012;50:557-572.
2. Dietrich CF. Editorial zum Beitrag „Challenges for the German Health Care System". Z.Gastroenterol. 2012;50:555-556.
3. Dietrich CF, Maurer M, Riemer-Hommel P. Challenges for the German Health Care System – Pharmaceuticals. Endheu 2014;27:45-53.

It is one of the key technical support providers in the EECA region and beyond. It possesses over 8 years of high quality technical support provision in: program development, monitoring and evaluation, community mobilization, finance management, organizational development.
 

Interview

To what extent did the MBA IHM prepare you for the challenges of your current job? Which knowledge or skills have been especially useful?

Since my current work is mainly dealing with international projects, I work in very international, culturally diverse environment. MBA IHM Program gave me outstanding knowledge and developed valuable skills on how to effectively communicate my personal stand point, fruitfully work within a multinational team, tolerate and respect cultural and personal differences, find a benefit for a common project from a diversity of team-members.

How would you characterise the course of your career so far?

My career has shifted from the local perspective to the international one – I am invited consultant to provide technical support to NGOs and Governmental organizations to implement international donor-funded public health projects in developing countries.

What was your favourite module and why?

Honestly speaking, I find all modules to be highly important to obtain a holistic picture of Business administration. However, I can point out to the module in Singapore “Quality, Process and Project Management” and in Canada “Organization, Change Management, Human Resources and Information Technology” because they are highly relevant to my job and gave me a bulk of modern tools, approaches and ideas to be applied in my day-to-day work. Besides, I consider Business plan and MarkStrat as those modules which greatly enlarged my knowledge from business development stand point.

What’s your favourite memory of your time with the MBA IHM?

If I am speaking about my favourite memory of the MBA IHM time, I would be talking about a batch of highly intelligent, well-educated and prominent professionals in Healthcare sector, who added a significant value into the Program with top-class discussions and international knowledge sharing; outstanding faculty which, with its diverse experience, acknowledgeable professionalism and “user-friendly” approach of giving the material, made the complex things easy to grasp and digest; sleepless nights, battles in group assignments, memorable travels, amusing parties, good friends and future business connections – all of this made “20 months of darkness” into “Memorable and Brightest 20 month of MBA IHM”.

How important are alumni for a business school?  What do you think alumni can do for their alma mater?

The best what we can do is to become benchmarks in our working place by skillfully applying all the modern approaches and hands-on tools as well as skills developed while studying in FS and, in such a way, promote our Alma Mater among other potential students.

Job description

• I have a legal background (lawyer, admitted to the bar)
• Management of a department of about 25 employees (mainly lawyers, economists and nurses)
• Negotiation of prices, administrative processes and level of collaboration with hospitals, physicians and other medical providers in mandatory and voluntary health insurance
• Relationship management with larger hospitals and hospital chains as well as with associations of physicians
• Dealing with legal and political questions of the healthcare market in Switzerland
• Elaboration of the medical provider strategy of CSS Insurance

Interview

What was your favourite module and why?

The US module - Innovation, Strategy and Project Management – was my favourite. I appreciated to get a deeper understanding about the US healthcare system. We got real case studies during the module to be presented to decision makers. Innovation and strategy are key subjects in the healthcare market and therefore in a respective MBA.

In many countries health insurance is a key pillar in the healthcare market – in the United States in particular. I appreciated the analysis of different roles of the various stakeholders in the United States and in other countries very much. Finally, I got confirmed that the health insurance industry plays a crucial role in the entire healthcare market – not only in the coverage of specific healthcare services.

What’s your favourite memory of your time with the MBA IHM?

Although I am currently working for a Swiss company I appreciated the global focus of the MBA IHM very much. I got many insights in different healthcare markets of the world, and I took those ideas with me that I think might be applied in Switzerland.

The modular organisation of the course allowed me to continue working as a middle manager on a full time basis. Although the last two years were quite hard, I had never the feeling that I couldn’t cope the MBA programme with my work.

And above all it is about the people. During the MBA programme I met very interesting people from all over the world with various backgrounds I would have never met in my whole life. I value this aspect more than having learnt plenty of stuff or received the degree.

Visit an MBA class this semester to discuss a case study with academic staff and current MBA students. This is your chance to 

• experience typical classroom subjects,
• teaching techniques, and
• learning methods.

Feel free to contact our MBA Team to arrange a campus visit, including a guided tour of the campus

Learn more about our MBA and EMBA programmes at one of our MBA Evenings! Benefit from personal conversations with our professors and programme directors and find out which programme could help you realise your full potential.