Spring Break
HBS Alumni Host Health Conference of the Year
Miriam Donaldson (OB), Contributing Writer
Issue date: 11/17/03 Section: News
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What do you get when you bring 5 of the "Top 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare" to one conference? "One of the very best conferences I've attended," said Professor Regina Herzlinger, who herself is number 78 on the list. The HBS Health Industry Alumni Association (HBHSIAA) held its fourth annual Healthcare conference at HBS on November 7th and 8th.
The event brought together a multinational audience of over 250 alumni currently working in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health services and payers, venture capital, consulting, and other healthcare-related functions.
HBSHIAA, founded in 1999 by Beatrice Ellerin (MBA '95), known as Bunny, is the first industry-specific alumni association of HBS graduates. The organization facilitates information and knowledge sharing among alumni, provides members with access to industry leaders, and serves as a resource for HBS faculty and alumni to advance their leadership in healthcare. The annual conference is only one of many events the group produces throughout the year in pursuit of this mission.
This year, the HBS Healthcare Club kicked off the weekend with a welcome reception and dinner for visiting alumni. The event provided students with an opportunity to meet many of the conference attendees in a casual setting. Amy Millslagle (NB) said "The event fostered a great atmosphere for connecting with the alums. It was fun to hear about their experiences both at HBS and in their careers." The alumni seemed to enjoy this special event as well. One alumnus commented that this was his first chance to come back to meet with current students and that he would be eager to return for this opportunity again in the future.
The theme of this year's conference was "The Costs and Politics of Healthcare," with top-level speakers from across the industry. Among them was FDA Commissioner Dr. Mark McClellan who addressed the topic of the political and regulatory influences on innovation. He spoke about the on-going efforts at the FDA to close the gap between the promise of new science and the recent decline in new drug applications and approvals. He also addressed the hot topic of illegally imported pharmaceuticals, stressing that Americans should not have to choose between safety and affordability. The commissioner emphasized the numerous activities underway at the FDA to help reduce drug costs including efforts to accelerate the process for bringing generics to the market.
The event brought together a multinational audience of over 250 alumni currently working in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health services and payers, venture capital, consulting, and other healthcare-related functions.
HBSHIAA, founded in 1999 by Beatrice Ellerin (MBA '95), known as Bunny, is the first industry-specific alumni association of HBS graduates. The organization facilitates information and knowledge sharing among alumni, provides members with access to industry leaders, and serves as a resource for HBS faculty and alumni to advance their leadership in healthcare. The annual conference is only one of many events the group produces throughout the year in pursuit of this mission.
This year, the HBS Healthcare Club kicked off the weekend with a welcome reception and dinner for visiting alumni. The event provided students with an opportunity to meet many of the conference attendees in a casual setting. Amy Millslagle (NB) said "The event fostered a great atmosphere for connecting with the alums. It was fun to hear about their experiences both at HBS and in their careers." The alumni seemed to enjoy this special event as well. One alumnus commented that this was his first chance to come back to meet with current students and that he would be eager to return for this opportunity again in the future.
The theme of this year's conference was "The Costs and Politics of Healthcare," with top-level speakers from across the industry. Among them was FDA Commissioner Dr. Mark McClellan who addressed the topic of the political and regulatory influences on innovation. He spoke about the on-going efforts at the FDA to close the gap between the promise of new science and the recent decline in new drug applications and approvals. He also addressed the hot topic of illegally imported pharmaceuticals, stressing that Americans should not have to choose between safety and affordability. The commissioner emphasized the numerous activities underway at the FDA to help reduce drug costs including efforts to accelerate the process for bringing generics to the market.
