New Business of Health Initiative at Georgetown McDonough Empowers Leaders to Address Challenges in Healthcare

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business has launched a collaborative Business of Health Initiative to prepare business leaders and medical professionals to tackle critical issues in the healthcare industry. 

The initiative will focus on academic discovery, multidisciplinary research, and ongoing engagement with industry practitioners to inspire forward-thinking solutions to the national healthcare system.

“Healthcare is a highly complex industry that needs bright and passionate leaders that aren’t deterred by our nation’s toughest challenges,” said Paul Almeida, dean and William R. Berkley Chair at Georgetown McDonough. “Georgetown is uniquely positioned to effect change and create a better future for healthcare in our country, and this initiative will enable us to reach across disciplines, deepen our curriculum in health and medicine, and broaden the conversation around the role of business in healthcare.”

The Business of Health Initiative will be led by Sandeep Dahiya, professor of finance and director of the Business of Health Initiative at Georgetown McDonough, who also holds a joint appointment in Georgetown’s School of Medicine as an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology on the adjunct track. It is part of a larger effort at the school to build expertise and solutions at the intersection of business and key fields of the future, including healthcare, sustainability, and AI and the future of work.

“As one of the largest sectors in the United States, health and wellness remain deeply connected to the prosperity of our businesses, our communities, and our economy,” said Dahiya. “The Business of Health Initiative will address the most pressing concerns in the industry, including technological disruptions, joint healthcare ventures, price transparency, and increasing accessibility and affordability to proper care.”

The initiative adds to McDonough’s commitment to healthcare through programs like the MBA Certificate in the Business of Healthcare and the MBA/MD dual degree program, as well as through existing co-curricular programming and events on healthcare and medicine offered throughout the year.

“Student learning and career opportunities, community outreach, and thought leadership are the cornerstones of the Business of Health Initiative,” said Almeida. “We will identify new opportunities for business students to understand the dynamics of the healthcare industry while advancing research and insights to inform industry practitioners and policymakers.”

In addition to synergies across campus, the Business of Health Initiative also works alongside Georgetown McDonough’s existing academic areas and faculty-led centers and initiatives to leverage ongoing healthcare programming and research.

To learn more about Georgetown McDonough’s new Business of Health Initiative, please visit businessofhealth.georgetown.edu.