The Healthcare Symposium hosted in CBB on Friday, October 26, 2018, was a half-a-day event designed to be an academic place for attendees to learn about relevant hot topics of the industry from a diverse range of experts in the field. The three topics covered were: Hospital Processes for Enhancing Quality of Care, Efficiency vs. Quality: Disaster and Recovery, and Innovation in Patient Care: Telemedicine. It had a diverse pool of experts in their field participate in the event such as a Senior Manager at Weaver, a Chief Quality Officer at the Baylor Clinic, an EMS Chief, a Lead Chaplain, a Cardiologist and Senior Vice President of NuPhysicla, a medical student, a Director of EHR and Revenue at MD Anderson, a Director of IT at Harris Health Systems, a Director of IT at Bauer, UH professors, a Family Med Practitioner and the CEO and Founder of her own company, and the Founding Dean of the Medical School at UH. Not only are our speakers from rich backgrounds, our attendees are also special. We open this event to everyone and as a result, not only have students registered and attend, but alumni currently in the industry and other professionals from related companies come out. The event is an opportunity for students and staff to connect with all of these professionals and be inspired by them with stories of their career paths.
The Healthcare Symposium started as an idea from Rima Shah, Asit Shah, and Hadiqa Memon, who co-founded the student organization, Houston Business Healthcare Alliance (Houston BHA), in fall 2016. In line with the organization’s mission in breaking barriers and connecting UH students to the Healthcare industry, they wanted to leave a lasting legacy by hosting the first of many Healthcare Symposiums at the University of Houston. It was something bigger than the organization itself because it encompasses all of UH. Needing to have the Bauer College’s support for this project, the founders and the officer team proposed it to former Bauer Dean Latha Ramchand, Associate Dean Richard Scamell, Raji Aiyer, and Tierra Walters. The organization was just a year and a half old with a seven person officer team when the symposium then approved in fall 2017 to be hosted in fall 2018, and although, our co-founders have graduated by 2018, the new officer team continued to believe in the event and worked with Bauer faculty to see it through.
Regardless of whether students are business majors, public health majors, psychology majors, or are pre-dental, or pre-medical if they want to learn more about careers in Healthcare, or about healthcare in general, they should come. The topics covered effect everyone and the panel discussion atmosphere with these professionals, allows for attendees to really learn about the growing needs and concerns in Healthcare. It is also a great networking opportunity with refreshments and lunch provide. Due to the success and positive feedback from the professionals and attendees, Houston BHA will strive to make this an annual event at the University of Houston.
Elizabeth Chau
Houston Business Healthcare Alliance, President
