Health Policy & Management

Attracts University-Wide and Industry Participation

The 3rd Annual Healthcare Delivery and Management Case Competition garnered University-wide interest with participation from four graduate schools and seven degree programs.  In the face of heavy competition, a number of Health Policy and Management students, including representatives from the full-time MPH, Executive MPH, and Columbia-On-the-Job programs, were recognized for their in-depth analyses and recommendations to solve a business-related public health challenge.

To participate in the competition, students formed consulting teams and reviewed a ‘real world’ healthcare case.  The teams were tasked with preparing a comprehensive analysis and recommendations which were presented before a judging panel consisting of faculty and industry experts.  

The competition encouraged students to use both their qualitative and quantitative skill sets and think “outside of the box” to find multi-faceted solutions to the situation presented. Student teams also benefited from faculty advisors who assisted with team-work planning and oral presentation coaching.

The 10 teams of students competing represented the Mailman School (MPH, COTJ, and EMPH programs), the School of Physicians & Surgeons (MD), Columbia Business School (MBA and Executive MBA programs), and the School of International and Public Affairs (MPA). 

Sartorius, a team of medical students from Physicians & Surgeons (P&S), took first place honors with each team member receiving a $250 gift card. Health Trust, a team of MPH students, took second place and Lee Consulting, a team of EMPH students, placed third. The competition also recognized several Mailman School students for their presenting skills and creativity. (For a full-list of award recipients, see below.)

The Department of Health Policy and Management and The Columbia Alliance for Health Care Management hosted the Case Competition, receiving generous support from numerous corporations, industry professionals, and faculty.  CIGNA, the Hay Group, and the National Cancer Institute sponsored the competition, providing funding for all of the prizes and administrative expenses. The case itself, following in the tradition of previous challenges, was written by an EMPH alumna, Preeti Talihiani, EMPH ‘09. 

The Columbia Alliance for Health Care Management coordinates faculty, student, and alumni interests across the Graduate Schools of Public Health, Business, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Contact the Executive Director, Professor Paul W. Thurman for more information about the Alliance.

2009/2010 Case Competition Winners

First Place: Sartorius
Physicians & Surgeons: Alexander Sackheim, Ezra Burch, Gina Farias-Eisner, and Jacob Kriegel
Faculty sponsor:  Donald Quest (P&S/Neurology)
$250 Gift Card per team member

Second Place: Health Trust
Mailman School MPH Students: Urmi Cholera, Hannah Berg, Seyram Butane, and Naomi Andebrhan
Faculty sponsor:  Kim Isett (Mailman)
$150 Gift Card per team member

Third Place: Lee Consulting
Mailman School EMPH Students: Paul Lee, Nancy Hogle, and Justin Rooberg
Faculty sponsor: Jack Rowe (Mailman)
$100 Gift Card per team member

Best Individual Q&A: Vincent Santana (EMPH), Roadmap Team 
$250 Gift Card

Best Individual Presenter: Naomi Andebrhan (MPH), Health Trust team
$250 Gift Card 

Most Innovative Solution (Team): Tie between teams Code Blue and On the Job
Code Blue: MPH students Joanne Mai, Marianne Dewitt, Erin Halfnight, and Jovan Mitchell
On the Job MPH/COTJ students: Gati Dharani, Jason Huang, and Trucle Nguyen
$75 Gift Card per team member

Panel of Judges

• John Winkelman, President of Winkelman and Co, Mt. Sinai Board Member, and Faculty member of Institute for Non-Profit Management (Columbia Business School)
• Linda Nilsen, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, Columbia University
• Ralph Sabatino, President, Executive Strategies, and Adjunct Professor, Mailman School
• Nicole Sebastian, MPA '03, Senior Consultant, Heidrick & Struggles, and alumna and adjunct professor, Mailman School of Public Health
• Greg Maddrey, EMPH ’06, Partner, Chartis Group
• Angela Profeta, MPH ’08, Consultant, Gold Health Strategies

Click here for information on previous case competition winners.