Over winter break, members of the Health Care Club coordinated career treks to San Francisco and New York City. Across the two trips, 19 members of the HBS health care community visited 14 organizations and met a diverse array of healthcare-focused alumni. The treks also provided a unique opportunity for students to form new relationships with each other outside the classroom, establishing a platform for shared learning to continue throughout the MBA experience.
The San Francisco group visited One Medical, J&J Health Tech, Rock Health, Omada Health, Intuitive Surgical, Maverick Ventures, Halo Neuroscience, and Nurx. In New York, students met with Oxeon Partners, Bright Health, CityBlock, RubiconMD, Maven Clinic, and General Atlantic. Students found it valuable to visit these organizations in-person and to converse dynamically with the companies’ employees, including many HBS alumni. The students appreciated hearing the perspective of start-ups, venture capitalists, and growth-stage investors, especially as they pursue internship or full-time opportunities. All of these entities are poised to innovate through strategies like transitioning to value-based payment or developing cutting-edge technologies; the trek thus offered robust insights across the spectrum of stakeholders.
On the New York City trek, nine students enjoyed a mixer with alumni at the home of Dr. Marlene Krauss (MBA ’69 and MD ‘79) in addition to their meetings with companies across the city. She welcomed everyone to her home and shared stories about her experiences as one of the first women admitted to HBS and later as a physician and health care investor. Her efforts have helped forge a path to reduce the barriers for women today (including allowing women to walk in the front door of the Harvard Club!). Students and alumni alike enjoyed getting to know her and connecting with one another to explore entrepreneurial ideas and consider future opportunities. The Health Care Initiative facilitated and sponsored the dinner and frequently helps facilitate similar events in major cities for alumni and students.