In the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic healthcare ecosystems, Weatherhead School of Management is making bold strides to establish itself as a leading hub that serves to connect the local landscape and other external healthcare enterprises through collaboration, continuous learning, problem solving and research.
Weatherhead Health, an emerging initiative born from strategic discussions in mid-2023, is designed to build on the school’s strong foundation in healthcare decision making, problem solvers and research, and expand its efforts in learning, education and innovation.
Philip A. Cola, the Winkle Healthcare Management Professor and faculty director of Healthcare Management Programs at Weatherhead; Stefan Agamanolis, associate director of strategic research at the Weatherhead School; and Peter Whitehouse, professor of neurology at Case Western Reserve lead this initiative to address healthcare's complex challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and technology.
Cola believes that Weatherhead Health is uniquely positioned to address the challenging healthcare issues head on with solutions deeply rooted in evidence based management.
“By focusing on the intersection of medicine and management, we can create impactful solutions that improve patient outcomes, enhance teamwork, and ultimately transform the way healthcare is delivered globally," he said.
With a strong focus on collaboration among healthcare leaders, innovators, and business management scholars, Weatherhead Health will lead research innovations to improve patient outcomes, and resolve communication breakdowns and inefficiencies in healthcare systems, including complex financial and economic models.
Enhancing existing collaborations with leading northeast Ohio healthcare systems and Weatherhead’s healthcare MBA program are integral to the success of growing the hub, enabling it to leverage real-world expertise, drive research, advance education and offer invaluable opportunities to students.
“Whether it’s improving efficiency, enhancing patient care, or developing cost-effective strategies, the research conducted through these partnerships will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare management and education,” said Agamanolis.
Weatherhead’s healthcare MBA program has also established additional connections with the pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturing, and insurance industries, reinforcing the school’s role as a bridge between business, management, and healthcare.
For students, the healthcare hub presents unparalleled opportunities. Those coming from or aiming to work within the healthcare industry will benefit from research opportunities, internships, and career pathways that will make them even more marketable in this competitive field.
While Weatherhead Health is still in its infancy stages, many of the foundational projects and collaborations are already underway. This includes cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence (AI) and its application in healthcare, studies on physician identity, physician-scientist success, chronic disease management, innovations in curriculum for medicine and management, and the intersection of climate and health.
The Weatherhead alumni network is vital to the success of Weatherhead Health, with the goal to strengthen these connections to foster future collaborations and advance its mission.
"Many alumni already lead in the healthcare sector, and we’re building a strong network to connect, partner with, and advance both their organizations and the hub’s mission," Whitehouse said.
Dean Andrew Medvedev said Weatherhead’s healthcare hub is a catalyst for transformation and will shape a future where evidence-based management practices can drive a more effective, equitable, and sustainable healthcare system for all.
"Weatherhead’s role as a healthcare hub is not just about positioning ourselves at the intersection of medicine and management—it’s about living our ethos of a problem-solving knowledge enterprise,” said Medvedev. “With our students and faculty working side by side with the healthcare community on their most critical questions, we have the best chance of bringing about the meaningful change that we all want to see.”
Anyone interested in learning more about Weatherhead Health can reach out to Cola, Agamanolis or Whitehead at:
Philip Cola at Philip.Cola@case.edu
Stefan Agamanolis at Stefan.Agmanolis@case.edu
Peter Whitehouse Peter.Whitehouse@case.edu