In a world where healthcare challenges are more complex than ever, the University of Illinois and Gies College of Business are taking a bold step forward by launching the Healthcare Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship (HIDE) specialization within its online MBA program – the iMBA®.
This collaborative and innovative effort is designed to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills to transform healthcare delivery. Developed in partnership with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and the University of Illinois’ Siebel Center for Design, the HIDE specialization is pioneering a new approach that blends business acumen, design thinking, and a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape.
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Healthcare Innovation
Comprised of three courses, the HIDE specialization addresses a fundamental flaw in traditional innovation education.
“An innovation becomes successful not when you have created something, but when it becomes something that someone finds value in and adopts,” said Ravi Mehta, Walter H. Stellner Professor of Marketing and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at Gies Business. “This program recognizes that healthcare innovation isn't just about technology or new products; it’s about understanding people.”
This specialization equips learners with the mindset and abilities to solve some of the most critical challenges facing healthcare today, including inequitable access in rural areas, workforce shortages, rising costs, and fragmented care systems.
“By integrating the languages of business, healthcare, and design, the curriculum empowers students to develop solutions that are not only effective but also valued and adopted by the people they serve,” said Mehta. “This is a critical mindset shift, moving from a product-focused approach to a human-focused one.”
Finding Success in the Complex Healthcare Ecosystem
Healthcare providers, pharmaceutical industry professionals, regulators, and those seeking to transition into the healthcare industry can also create value for their organizations through the HIDE specialization. It helps learners make sense of the complex healthcare ecosystem, develop practical skills like project management and data analysis, and improve judgment for leading innovation at a startup or within an established organization.
The HIDE specialization, which can also be taken as a standalone Graduate Certificate, is structured around a three-course sequence that mirrors the lifecycle of successful innovation:
- Identify (MBA 571: Healthcare Ecosystem and Need Identification): The first course helps learners understand the unique healthcare ecosystem and how to pinpoint the right needs and opportunities for innovation. It teaches critical skills like problem definition and engaging with diverse stakeholders to prioritize needs.
- Innovate (MBA 572: Healthcare Innovation Processes): This course dives into the models of healthcare innovation, from product development processes to process innovation and data analytics. It covers a wide range of topics, including design of experiments, which is essential for clinical trials.
- Implement (MBA 573: Healthcare Business Strategy and New Venture): The final course focuses on turning ideas into reality. Students learn about business strategy, new venture design, and how to finance a healthcare venture. This course also looks ahead, exploring emerging trends and the impact of technology and human behavior on the future of health systems.
Tackle Real-World Health Challenges
The HIDE specialization prepares learners to address the most pressing societal healthcare challenges – moving beyond the concept of "healthcare systems" to "health systems." It acknowledges that a person's living conditions, transportation, and other social factors are key determinants of health.
For current business students and professionals in fields like engineering or medicine, this coursework provides the foundational knowledge and a vital mindset shift needed to transition into the fast-growing health tech and biotech sectors.
“We are teaching not just skills like project management and data analysis, but also the judgment to lead innovation with foresight and to prioritize under constraints,” said Ujjal Mukherjee, associate professor of business administration at Gies Business. “The HIDE specialization is a testament to Gies Business' and Carle Illinois College of Medicine’s commitment to creating impactful, purpose-driven leaders who can shape a healthier future for everyone.”