Healthcare MBAs Gain Global Perspective in Berlin
A group of Healthcare MBA students from the Hankamer School of Business (HSB) joined core MBA students on a week-long international trip to Berlin, Germany, in October, organized by the McBride Center for International Business. The immersive experience combined business visits with cultural exploration, giving students unique insights into Germany's healthcare innovations and business landscape.
Alongside core MBA students, the Healthcare students visited prominent businesses such as Babbel, a leader in language learning technology, and Vagabund Brauerei, a Berlin-based craft brewery, which provided valuable perspectives on business practices and leadership styles in Germany. The Healthcare MBA cohort also went on a series of specialized site visits tailored to their field, enriching their understanding of international healthcare systems and public health advancements.
One business visit to Charité’s original campus in Berlin's historic Mitte borough was particularly impactful for Kirti Chamkura, a current Healthcare MBA student. Charité, one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious university hospitals, welcomed the group with presentations from leaders in public health and genetics. Tim Ellermann, a scientific coordinator of Medical and Health Data Sciences at the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), discussed Charité’s public health initiatives, while Dr. Peter Nick Robinson, a full professor at BIH, explored cutting-edge work on genomics and ontology, demonstrating the pioneering research that Charité fosters.
After these discussions, students enjoyed a walking tour of the Charité grounds, reflecting on the hospital’s contributions to global healthcare and the important strides made in health education in Germany.
The cohort also had the opportunity to visit Charité’s Virchow campus, where Dr. Andreas Edel, senior ICU physician in Charite’s Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, introduced the students to the ICU-Teladoc partnership, a program featuring advanced telemedicine robots designed to enhance patient care remotely. Students were able to witness first-hand the transformative role that technology and robotics play in Germany’s evolving healthcare landscape.
“We definitely do have our differences but I feel like we face similar issues in terms of our population health outcomes and expenditures,” Chamkura said. “I loved hearing about their innovative solutions and thinking about how I could apply it to our current healthcare system, especially in terms of telehealth and technological innovation.”
Another major highlight was a visit to AOK Nordost, one of Germany’s largest public health insurance providers, where Dr. Volker Amelung, CEO of inav - privates Institut für angewandte Versorgungsforschung GmbH (Institute for Applied Healthcare Research), and Manuel Waldmann, head of corporate strategy and trends at AOK Nordost, shared his insights into the distinct structure and approach of the German healthcare system. This session offered students a comparative analysis of the German and U.S. systems, highlighting how different models can be uniquely suited to their respective countries.
“A key takeaway from our time there was that no single healthcare system is inherently ‘better’ than another,” said Claire Easley, a current Healthcare MBA student. “Rather, different systems are better suited to different countries’ needs and cultural values.”
Waldmann emphasized the increasingly vital role of digital health, resonating with many of the students as they considered how digital solutions could shape the future of healthcare in the U.S.
They ended their trip with a visit to the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) Centre for Entrepreneurship/Engine, a cutting-edge institution where four researchers shared their latest developments in digital health, showcasing projects designed to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency. These presentations provided an in-depth view of the progress and challenges Germany faces in integrating digital tools into its healthcare framework. Through this immersive experience, students gained a deep understanding of the hurdles and progress in Germany’s healthcare landscape, allowing them to envision how similar solutions might be applied in the U.S. market.
“I learned about the way Germany, in particular the Hasso-Platner Institute, supports innovation and design,” said Lily Saterbak, a current Healthcare MBA student. “I was inspired by the DiGas (digital applications) that sought to address overprescription issues by developing digital solutions to help support patients and lifestyle changes.”
Throughout the trip, students had the opportunity to explore Berlin’s historic sites and interact with business leaders, broadening their cultural horizons. Some students even ventured to the nearby Czech Republic,
“This journey not only deepened their understanding of Germany’s healthcare system and technological advancements but also gave them a chance to engage with peers and professionals in ways that will impact their personal and professional development for years to come,” said Forest Kim, PhD, executive director of the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership.
This international immersion reinforced the Business School’s commitment to equipping students with a global mindset. By connecting them with international leaders and groundbreaking initiatives, Baylor’s Healthcare MBA students are uniquely prepared to make a difference, carrying insights from Berlin and beyond back to their roles as emerging healthcare leaders.
Learn more about our Robbins Healthcare MBA program here.
