Bridging science, care and business

Hailey Patel (MBA ’25) wants to improve the U.S. healthcare system. One way to achieve that goal was earning her MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Patel worked as a research associate at Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) and as an associate scientist at Novartis Gene Therapies before joining the Full-Time MBA Program.

“During my time in the lab, I often thought about the people behind the data, those patients waiting for answers. That curiosity became a calling and led me to search for MBA programs that bridge science and business,” she says.

“UNC Kenan-Flagler stood out to me because they don’t just teach business; they respond to the moment,” says Patel. “When COVID hit, the School launched a new course on managing epidemics through a business lens. That adaptability made my decision easy.”

At Novartis, Patel specialized in designing and conducting drug optimization studies. She also played a pivotal role in establishing a new development lab by overseeing resource allocation for multiple therapy programs and spearheaded quality target profiles for advanced cell and gene therapy projects.

That experience deepened her understanding of how complex turning scientific breakthroughs into real treatments for patients can be. It strengthened her commitment to improving how innovation moves from the lab to the people who need it most.

“After years in research, I wanted to understand how business decisions shape patient access,” says Patel. “UNC Kenan Flagler taught me about the ‘Iron Triangle’ of cost, quality and access. I now use that to think about every healthcare challenge that crosses my way.”

She concentrated in healthcare, and joined the Healthcare Club and later became president in her second year.

“The Healthcare Club was my baby,” says Patel. “I worked with passionate peers and a great leadership board to make a bigger impact from a healthcare perspective.

“We almost doubled our membership, launched new programs with other clubs and programs across campus, and with our sponsors, piloted a biotech outreach program in the Research Triangle,” she says. “We even co-hosted our first event with Duke’s Fuqua Healthcare Club — proof that collaboration between competitors can coexist, at least for one night.”

To bring the healthcare community closer, the club collaborated with UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Center for the Business Health (CBOH) and CBOH partners UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC School of Medicine and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

“I learned a lot about leadership, logistics and the healthcare industry,” Patel says. “It was fulfilling to give back to first years and see the impact we had on the incoming class.” 

The faculty, career coaches and support, particularly from alumni mentors and the CBOH, had a big impact on Patel. The CBOH expanded her education and network. It produces research and information on timely issues; and convenes professionals to address subjects like “the urgent and complex challenges facing U.S. healthcare” at conferences and workshops.

In class

Not surprisingly, the Global Healthcare class taught by Markus Saba was her favorite class. She learned how different healthcare systems work around the world and what the U.S. can do to strengthen its own.

A Global Immersion Elective took her to Japan and Thailand, where she and her classmates discovered intricacies of their healthcare systems and compared them to the U.S.’s. They met with professionals working at hospitals and pharma companies and local people to explore how socioeconomic and cultural factors shape healthcare systems and influence business decisions.

Outside of healthcare classes, Ingrid Koch’s Behavioral Economics course was especially eye-opening. The marketing professor revealed how psychology and subtle marketing cues influence the way we think, choose and act—often without realizing it. “Ingrid’s energy made every class very engaging and dynamic,” says Patel.

She credits Professor Nur Sunar’s passion and positivity for making “8 a.m. operations classes something we actually looked forward to.”

Professor Greg Hohn’s Applied Improvisation taught her how to be agile and think quickly. She also learned not to take herself too seriously, a good lesson all around. “Improv helped me control emotions and adapt to unexpected situations, both in business and life,” she says.

Finding your people at business school

“I’m grateful for the resilience, relationships and skills I gained at UNC Kenan-Flagler,” Patel says. “The program does a fantastic job of incorporating diverse faculty and keeping alumni involved. I’m just full of gratitude.”

The community she joined for life is a highlight of her Carolina experience. She saw the collaborate nature UNC Kenan-Flagler demonstrated in the classroom, during extracurricular activities and in career searches.

“I never felt alone,” says Patel. “Everyone supported each other, whether in academics or recruiting. I’ve made lifelong friendships and found a real sense of community.”

Bringing the business school spirit into the world

From all of her experiences at UNC Kenan-Flagler, Patel has distilled important lessons she will carry with her and apply throughout her career.

“Strategically, I learned to put myself in others’ shoes and work toward a common goal, even if it doesn’t align with my personal perspective,” she says. “I also learned the importance of loving what you do. If your heart isn’t in it, you won’t reach excellence. This helped me filter out roles during recruiting and focus on what truly motivates me.”

She plans to bring this spirit with her as she embarks on her post-graduation career.

After graduation, Patel joined Bristol Myers Squibb as an associate in its commercial leadership development program, where she continues to bring the same curiosity and purpose that defined her time at UNC. She is excited to rotate through different roles and gain a deeper understanding of the commercial side of pharma.

Patel’s memories about Carolina go beyond learning about academics and putting herself on the path of success in her career.

“UNC Kenan-Flagler didn’t just prepare me professionally,” she says. “It reshaped how I think about purpose, people and the kind of leader I want to be. Now, I see every challenge through lenses of scientific rigor and business strategy and that bridge is where I hope to make the greatest impact.”