The healthcare “refrain” is familiar – unsustainable increases in costs, fragmented, inefficient, and misaligned healthcare delivery systems, uneven quality of patient care, and coverage gaps which increase the overall costs to payors and consumers. We have evolving healthcare reform plans underway in developed and emerging markets, operating within an environment of political rancor and economic headwinds. So what should healthcare companies and investors do now?

Global medical products companies continue to believe innovation is a key to future growth as well as emerging markets, healthcare providers are consolidating and seeking a role in the continuum of acute and post-acute care, and commercial payors are developing and acquiring new value-added products and services. One common theme emerging is “convergence” – organizations from all parts of the healthcare ecosystem seeking ways to collaborate to develop new products, improve patient care, and slow the escalating growth of healthcare costs.

Now in its eighth year, the Columbia Business School Healthcare Conference attracts more than 400 industry practitioners and students from Columbia and other top-tier professional schools. As reflected in this year’s theme: “Collaboration and Convergence: Connecting the Healthcare Ecosystem”, we are excited to have gathered over 35 of the brightest minds in healthcare to explore the emergence of notable partnerships and alliances in our industry, among other key strategies being employed by industry and the investor community. We will do so with the unique insight provided by our three renowned keynote speakers, in addition to six diverse panels:

• Biopharmaceuticals
• Healthcare Services
• Venture Capital and Private Equity
• Emerging Markets
• Medical Devices and Diagnostics
• Mergers and Acquisitions

The Conference concludes with a networking reception and career fair with our prominent sponsors -- leading healthcare employers, investors and advisory firms that promote healthcare business education and research.

On behalf of the Columbia Business School Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Management Program and student-run Healthcare Industry Association (HCIA) we welcome you to this year’s exciting event!