N E W S : S H O R T TA K E S
Transforming Health Care A new master’s degree program is preparing students to implement value-based health care advances. The M.S. in Health Care Transformation has nearly 50 students enrolled in its inaugural class, including third-year Dell Medical School students and mid- to senior-level health professionals. The interdisciplinary curriculum combines education in analytics, design, business, and leadership to equip graduates with skills to create and drive change within their organizations.
McCOMBS STUDENT VISITS JAPAN SUMMIT
With an eye toward global change, Muhannad Alsharekh, MPA ’19, represented his home country of Saudi Arabia at the Y-20 Summit this May in Tokyo. Ahead of the G-20 Osaka Summit, he and other young delegates discussed issues and submitted policy proposals to Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Alsharekh’s ideas considered the future of work and international trade. As a group, the Y-20 attendees addressed global challenges, including the climate crisis.“The positivity and determination of youth proves we can harmoniously and ambitiously seek global change, something our leaders have recently struggled to do,” Alsharekh says.
4 M c C O M B S .U T E X A S . E D U
DNA DATA POWERS WINNING BEAUTY PROPOSAL
EUROPEAN TOUR In July, Dean Jay Hartzell traded the Texas heat for some European cool. The dean spent a week abroad meeting with McCombs alumni and donors. He also appeared at a pair of Texas Edge events: In Paris, Hartzell was joined by Accounting Professor Jeffrey Hales and Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement Sonia Feigenbaum to discuss sustainability and the France-UT endowment, as well as recognizing two grant awardees. Pictured: In London, the dean addressed entrepreneurship and social innovation with Hales; head of origination for Vitol Group Chris Bake, BBA ’88; and BBA ’21 students Mary Catherine Arnott and Allison Cowie, McCombs’ Outstanding Student and winner of the BBA Community Values’ Study Abroad Award.
Driven by their idea to customize skincare using DNA information, Hannah Fawcett, BBA ’20, Rahul Das, BBA ’21, and Jenna Zhang, BBA ’21, took first place at the L’Oreal 2019 National Brandstorm Competition in New York City. The team proposed that L’Oreal apply 23andMe’s DNA genetic testing services to create personalized products for health-conscious consumers. The students benefitted from the coaching of Senior Marketing Lecturer Stephen Walls, and had a good experience working together on the concept. “We had great team chemistry, and it showed during our presentation and enthusiasm for our idea,” says Das.