Leadership
Consistent with the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program’s emphasis on real-world learning, the program is led by former senior professionals from the healthcare, pharmaceutical and financial services sectors. With unique insight into the healthcare industry, an understanding of what employers are seeking from MBA graduates and an established network of relationships in the industry, the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program’s leadership provides a valuable resource to students seeking careers in the healthcare sector and alumni working in the industry.
Cliff Cramer, Director of the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program, and Adjunct Professor, Management Division, Columbia Business School
The Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program is directed by Professor Cliff Cramer, who has spent over 25 years in the financial services and healthcare/pharmaceutical sectors, serving as managing director of the healthcare investment banking groups at JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch; vice president of corporate planning and development at Merck; and cofounder of American Health Capital/VHA Enterprises. Professor Cramer teaches Healthcare Investment and Dealmaking and co-teaches Strategy and Competition in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology.
Robert Essner, Executive in Residence, Columbia Business School
Robert Essner is retired chairman and CEO of Wyeth, a leading global pharmaceutical company. He joined Columbia Business School in 2008 as an executive in residence. Mr. Essner had a distinguished 33-year career in the pharmaceuticals industry at Wyeth/American Home Products and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals. He coteaches Strategy and Competition in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology.
Gary Frazier, Assistant Director of the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program
Gary Frazier is a healthcare-industry veteran of more than 20 years. He has marketing and strategic planning experience in the pharmaceuticals industry (Abbott, Merck and Pfizer); managed-care industry experience as a senior vice president at Oxford Health Plans; and experience as an equity research analyst at Bear Stearns and Deutsche Bank.
Faculty Advisers
A faculty advisory group, led by Linda Green, the Armand G. Erpf Professor of the Modern Corporation in the Decision, Risk and Operations Division, and Frank Lichtenberg, the Courtney C. Brown Professor of Business in the Finance and Economics Division, contribute to curriculum development and learning opportunities.
Healthcare Executive Forum
The new Columbia Business School Healthcare Executive Forum will bring together senior-level healthcare-industry executives, investors and advisers. The forum’s goal is to foster discussions of business trends, events and issues that are of strategic significance to participants in the healthcare sector. These discussions will include the perspectives of professionals from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, health services, medical products, venture capital, private equity, banking, consulting, government and nonprofit sectors. The forum will help provide strategic direction to the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program to ensure that the curriculum and professional-development opportunities are consistent with the demands of the global healthcare marketplace.
